Unit 3: Rise of Democracy and Manifest Destiny
Timeline
Trigger Words
American Colonization Society
The American Colonization Society was founded in 1817. It purchased land in Africa (Liberia) with the intention of solving the "Negro problem" by transporting freed slaves there. Society backers were convinced that both blacks and whites would benefit from racial separation. Few blacks wished to migrate to Africa and the society accomplished little. corrupt bargain In the controversial Election of 1824, John Quincy Adams laid himself open to the charge of having won the presidency by virtue of a "corrupt bargain" with Henry Clay. Employing his great influence in the House of Representatives, Clay swung the House vote for Adams for president. Adams then appointed Clay as his secretary of state. Eli Whitney Eli Whitney was an American inventor best known for inventing the cotton gin. This was one of the key inventions of the Industrial Revolution and shaped the economy of the Antebellum South. Grimke, Angelina and Sarah Angelina and Sarah Grimke, sisters from South Carolina, began their public careers in the abolitionist movement. Male abolitionists objected to their prominence in the movement, and the sisters turned to advocacy of women's rights. |
Henry Clay
Henry Clay, Sr., was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky separately in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives. Created the American System. Indian Removal Act This legislation passed by Congress in 1830 provided funds for removing and resettling eastern Indians in the West. It granted the president the authority to use force if necessary. Manifest Destiny Manifest destiny was the belief of nineteenth-century Americans that their nation's territorial expansion was inevitable and ultimately a good thing, even for those being conquered. This conviction helped Americans justify the aggressive acquisition of new territories in the 1840s and later in the 1890s. Mexican War The Mexican War was fought between the United States and Mexico from May 1846 to February 1848 which resulted in the Mexican Cession of 1848 (New Mexico and Alta California ceding to the US). Republican Motherhood This definition of mother hood, emanating from the American Revolution, assigned mothers the task of raising dutiful children, especially sons, who would be prepared to serve the nation in disinterested fashion (see public virtue) Seneca Falls Convention The Seneca Falls Convention was held in 1848. It drafted the Declaration of Sentiments, patterned on the Declaration of Independence, but declared that "all men and women are created equal." |
Primary Sources
President Jackson's Message to Congress on "Indian Removal"President Andrew Jackson sent a letter to Congress on December 6th, 1830 explaining why the removal of the Indians from the states east the Mississippi, and ostensibly others, was so important. Essentially, he claimed that their absence would lead to peace and stability in the region. This, in turn, would bring more settlers in and growth would commence in earnest as long as there was no threat of attack from the Indians.
Jackson showed his opinion on the native population quite clearly in this letter, and he followed through on his intentions. He did remove the Indians, and he did not necessarily do it nicely or by the rules. However, the people that wanted so desperately to move west, most notably the immigrants from Ireland and Germany, loved him for making their life easier and safer. He gained a lot of popularity with his can do attitude. Daniel T- The Declaration of Sentiments
On July 19-20, 1848, a group of local New York woman, including logician Elizabeth Cady Stanton, organized the influential women's rights Seneca Falls Convention. The end of the convention culminated in the Declaration of Rights and Sentiments, a document principally written by Stanton and modeled after the American Declaration of Independence. Signed by 68 women and 32 men, it listed the rights of women and stressed the important roles they play in society.
At a time when women's rights were highly limited and the societal view of women was minimal and trivial, this Declaration was highly controversial. And for those who had signed a document calling for the equality of sexes, the outcome could have been devastating. However, this document was a major advancement in the progressive ascension of women's rights movements. ~Aaron W |
13th Amendment
The 13th amendment was the official abolition of slavery. It was passed on January 31, 1865. Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, but it didn't stop slavery, so as security, he added the 13th amendment to make sure slavery ended. The amendment passed the Senate but it did not pass the House for a while. Lincoln had to take action to ensure that the amendment did pass through the house. The 13th amendment was the result of all the long years of struggle the women and African Americans went through to be free of being treated cruely. It was also the result of the Civil War fought between the North and the South, and since the North won and the South lost, slavery was abolished thanks to Abraham Lincoln. ~Kayla M. Andrew Jackson: Inaugural AddressAndrew Jackson begins his Inaugural Address with the emphasis that he was chosen by the people for the people, and his intentions to take action with the people first in his mind. He then reiterates the president's job and what he specifically intends to do. He also establishes his idea of less emphasis on central government.
He then specifies economic concerns and his faith in manufacturing and commerce, and eventually his faith in the nation's security and protection needed. He touches on Indians but does elaborate on "reforms" he has on the mind for the government with less aristocrats and central government. He then closes with reassurance of faith, the meaning of public virtue, and an outlook for the future. This inaugural speech is important to demonstrate just what kind of president Andrew Jackson was, and his ideals, plans, and intentions throughout his presidency. It foreshadows some of the economic issues that would eventually arise such as the BUS and taxation acts. His political beliefs of stronger people government vs. weak central government are also mentioned. His mentions of the Indians foreshadows the Indian Removal Act. This also elaborates on his war skills, reminding us that he was a general but did do every action with people in mind. -Ingrid C. |