In the summer of 1845 the editor and columnist John O’Sullivan published an article in the Democratic Review that promoted the idea of westward expansion of the United States. He created a famous term called “Manifest Destiny” suggesting that it was America’ s destiny to expand its western borders to the Pacific ocean by conquering the entire North American continent in order to bring to it American democracy and the advantages of the market. “Our manifest destiny [is] to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions. This we have seen done by England, our old rival and enemy; and by France”. In the American public the idea of migration beyond the Mississippi territory was met with an enthusiastic interest, than America’s population grew dramatically and additional land for settlement was required. The westward expansion, however, destroyed the political balance regarding the issue of slavery that held the nation for decades together and even dramatically intensified the conflict between the Southerners and the Northerners. By 1860 the North and the South grew to such an extent apart resulting in the inevitable secession of eleven of the fifteen slave states from the Union and creation of a new nation called the Confederate States of America. The westward expansion subsequently led to the bloodiest conflict in the young American history, the American Civil War. The aim of this paper is to examine the westward expansion and to explain how it exacerbated sectional differences in the first half of the 19th century.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Missouri Compromise of 1820
3. The Annexation of Texas and the Mexican-American War
4. The Wilmot Proviso and Popular Sovereignty
5. The Compromise of 1850
6. Conclusion
Objectives & Topics
This paper examines the influence of westward expansion on the growing sectional divide within the United States during the first half of the 19th century, specifically analyzing how the acquisition of new territories intensified the political conflict over the institution of slavery.
- The impact of the Missouri Compromise on early sectional tensions.
- The role of the annexation of Texas and the Mexican-American War in fueling political instability.
- Legislative attempts to manage the slavery question, including the Wilmot Proviso and the Compromise of 1850.
- The evolution of "Popular Sovereignty" as a divisive political tool.
- The long-term consequences of territorial growth leading toward the American Civil War.
Excerpt from the Book
Westward Expansion of the United States
In the summer of 1845 the editor and columnist John O’Sullivan published an article in the Democratic Review that promoted the idea of westward expansion of the United States. He created a famous term called “Manifest Destiny” suggesting that it was America’ s destiny to expand its western borders to the Pacific ocean by conquering the entire North American continent in order to bring to it American democracy and the advantages of the market. “Our manifest destiny [is] to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions. This we have seen done by England, our old rival and enemy; and by France”. In the American public the idea of migration beyond the Mississippi territory was met with an enthusiastic interest, than America’s population grew dramatically and additional land for settlement was required. The westward expansion, however, destroyed the political balance regarding the issue of slavery that held the nation for decades together and even dramatically intensified the conflict between the Southerners and the Northerners.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of Manifest Destiny and sets the stage for how territorial growth destabilized the political balance between the North and South regarding slavery.
2. The Missouri Compromise of 1820: This chapter details the political crisis surrounding Missouri's entry into the Union and the subsequent legislative compromise intended to maintain the balance of free and slave states.
3. The Annexation of Texas and the Mexican-American War: This chapter explores the tensions caused by the annexation of Texas and the ensuing war with Mexico, which resulted in significant territorial gains and heated debates over the expansion of slavery.
4. The Wilmot Proviso and Popular Sovereignty: This chapter discusses legislative efforts to restrict the spread of slavery in newly acquired territories and the introduction of Popular Sovereignty as a controversial alternative policy.
5. The Compromise of 1850: This chapter analyzes the components of the 1850 Compromise, including the Fugitive Slave Act, and its temporary success in delaying total national breakdown.
6. Conclusion: This chapter summarizes how westward expansion effectively created two divergent societies, ultimately leading to the American Civil War.
Keywords
Manifest Destiny, Westward Expansion, Missouri Compromise, Slavery, Sectionalism, Annexation of Texas, Mexican-American War, Wilmot Proviso, Popular Sovereignty, Compromise of 1850, Fugitive Slave Act, Union, Secession, American Civil War, Territorial Policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this paper?
The paper examines how the westward expansion of the United States in the mid-19th century exacerbated political and social divisions between the Northern and Southern states, primarily over the issue of slavery.
What are the central themes discussed in the text?
The central themes include the concept of Manifest Destiny, the political struggle to balance free and slave states, the impact of territorial acquisitions on national unity, and the legislative attempts to mediate the conflict.
What is the primary objective of the research?
The primary objective is to demonstrate how the continuous addition of new land directly contributed to the sectional polarization that eventually culminated in the American Civil War.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The paper utilizes a historical analysis approach, relying on primary sources such as contemporary newspaper articles, government documents, and private correspondence, alongside academic secondary sources.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main sections cover key historical milestones, including the Missouri Compromise of 1820, the annexation of Texas, the Mexican-American War, the Wilmot Proviso, the discovery of gold in California, and the Compromise of 1850.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Manifest Destiny, Sectionalism, Slavery, Popular Sovereignty, and the Compromise of 1850.
How did the Mexican-American War affect domestic politics?
The war deepened the divide between the North and South, as it forced a national debate on whether slavery should be permitted in the vast new territories acquired from Mexico.
What role did John O'Sullivan play in this historical context?
John O'Sullivan coined the term "Manifest Destiny," which provided a philosophical and ideological justification for American expansionism, influencing public opinion at the time.
Why was the Fugitive Slave Act considered so controversial?
The act gave Southerners broad powers to pursue and return escaped slaves, which directly challenged the Northern states' legal and moral stances, thereby increasing hostility between the two sections.
Did the Compromise of 1850 succeed in its goals?
While it technically postponed a full-scale war for a decade, it failed to resolve the underlying issues, and instead fueled further conflicts like the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Dred Scott case.
- Quote paper
- Alexander Welker (Author), 2012, Westward Expansion of the U.S., Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/229706
