Trends in Antebellum America 1810 -1860 1 New

Trends in Antebellum America: 1810 -1860 1. New intellectual and religious movements. 2. Social reforms. 3. Beginnings of the Industrial Revolution in America. 4. Re-emergence of a second party system and more political democratization. 5. Increase in federal power Marshall Ct. decisions. 6. Increase in American nationalism. 7. Further westward expansion.

WESTERN PIONEERS • I. Americans Head West – In 1800 only 387, 000 settlers lived west of the Appalachian Mountains – by 1820 that number grew to 2. 4 million • A. American Mission – “spread from sea to shining sea – John Louis O’Sullivan – declared that it was the “Manifest Destiny” to spread over the continent – “God Given Right to spread our culture”

“Manifest Destiny” § First coined by newspaper editor, John O’Sullivan in 1845. § ". . the right of our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federaltive development of self-government entrusted to us. It is right such as that of the tree to the space of air and the earth suitable for the full expansion of its principle and destiny of growth. " § A myth of the West as a land of romance and adventure emerged.

“American Progress” by John Gast, 1872

• B. Farming New Lands – people chose fertile river valleys or woodland soil regions – Squatters – term for pioneers – settled the land they did not own (government intended to sell land to commercial businesses) -- PROFIT – Preemption Act 1830 – protected the right of squatters – buy 160 acres for &1. 25/ acre

• PLOWS & REAPERS - new inventions that allow for crop production to be easier – more supply of food, prices fall, more population – Jethro Tull – iron bladed Plow 1819 – John Deere – steel bladed plow (1837) – Cyrus Mc. Cormick – mechanical reaper

• D. Settlers & Native Americans – Early travelers feared attacks from natives especially the Apache & Comanche • 362 emigrants died (1840 – 1860) • 426 natives died – Treaty of Fort Laramie – Eight Native American Tribes agreed to specific boundaries and the US promised not to disturb these lands – E. Creating the Middle Ground – space between pioneer settlements and the native american settlements ( further white settlers moved west – further the middle ground moved west

F. Movement WEST • Santa Fe Trail -primarily a trade route • Oregon Trail – Kit Carson/ Jim Bridger made a life trapping beaver / gained knowledge of territories – cutting out passes – most popular east west route was Oregon Trail • Mormon Migration – Primarily a religious route

Independence for Texas

Opening Texas to Americans • Texas had long been a part of Spain’s Mexican Colony – Mexico became independent in 1821 • People living in Texas – Tejanos --established settlements of San Antonio, Hidalgo • Rest of Texas territory – settled by the Apache, Comanche (nomadic warring tribes)

Mexican Policy to Settlement • Colonization laws – Granted new immigrants a 10 year exemption from paying taxes – Have to become Mexican citizens – Live under Mexican law – Convert to Roman Catholicism – *** if they did this they were granted cheap land

National Colonization Act • Under this act the Mexican Gov’t – granted 26 emprasarios ( agents ) land in Texas – in return the emprasarios were supposed to fill the land w/ settlers • Stephen Austin was the 1 st emprasario & most successful – found the town Washington on the Brazos – called the Old 300 --

Americanizing Texas • Mexican Expectations – – Accept Mexican citizenship – Adopt Mexican customs • • Spanish language Catholic church (foreign to protestants) • ** many Mexicans distrusted these settlements because of their American Lifestyle

• Mexican trust of these societies – halted in 1826 – – Conflict bt/ Haden Edward’s brother (Benjamin) and the Mexican gov’t over control of the Emprasarios – – Benjamin led a rebellion against the Mexican gov’t – Haden declared that all Americans living in the Texas region were part of a free republic called --- Fredonia ( little support) – 1830 – Mexico closed it borders to immigration.

New Laws in Texas • No Immigration in Mexico • Import tariff on imports • Mexican gov’t was showing authority

Texas goes to War • The people of Texas angry w Mexican Gov’t call for meeting ----– 1832 • • Asked Mexico to reopen immigration Chose Austin as the president of meeting 1833 Separate Texas from the State of Caohuila Created a constitution for Texas Designated Austin to travel to Mexico City for negotiation

• In the fall of 1833 – negotiations bt Austin and Mexican gov’t failed • Austin sent a letter to Tejano leaders suggesting – Texas should start own gov’t and army • Letter intercepted by Mexican gov’t • Austin was arrested for treason on his return to Texas – not released until July 1835

• Santa Anna – revoked the Mexican Constitution – became dictator • In 1835 Austin said war was the only possible avenue for resolution

Texas Declaration of Independence

Key Figures in Texas Independence, 1836 Sam Houston (1793 -1863) Steven Austin (1793 -1836)

The Republic of Texas

Remember the Alamo!

Davey Crockett’s Last Stand

The Battle of the Alamo General Antonio L pez de Santa Anna Recaptures the Alamo

• Santa Anna – revoked the Mexican Constitution – became dictator • In 1835 Austin said war was the only possible avenue for resolution

Early Battles • Gonzales • San Antonio • Alamo • Goliad • *** Battle of San Jacinto – gave victory to the Texans

The Republic of Texas • The Mexican government refused to recognize the treaty forced on Santa Anna – yet they were not willing to fund a military expedition in re-conquering Texas • In 1836 – election were held in Texas – Voted Sam Houston as President – Also voted in favor of annexation ** Jackson did not favor --- annexation – cause a war with Mexico – issue of slavery