ipl-logo

Effects Of Westward Expansion

1248 Words5 Pages

Westward expansion caused strains with international relations (Britain and Mexico) but strengthened Franco-American ties, introduced new economic threats and opportunities, highlighted the divide between the Northern and Southern states concerning slavery, and resulted in conflicts with native Americans and among Americans themselves (Civil War 1861). Following the Manifest Destiny, American citizens were determined to see the “land of the free” become a reality. Occasionally, pioneers had the opportunity to buy profitable land peacefully from Native Americans, resulting in political stability as it was cheap and was beneficial to the agricultural economy. Some long-term effects of the political changes led to America becoming a Great Power …show more content…

The aftermath of this War strengthened the position of these colonies as it removed European Rivals (France in Canada) and opened the Mississippi for expansion but in doing so, destabilised the borders. It did not provide much political change for American people as British control was still in clear effect in 1763 shown by the Royal Proclamation, which led to a temporary line limiting expansion but which no American could settle across. This angered the American colonists who wanted to keep their local government control and expand into new farmlands. To the American colonists, it seemed Britain was taking the side of the Native Americans, increasing tensions between the colonists and the British. Therefore, with other failed policies of the British government, such as the Sugar Act (1764), this inspired the American War of Independence. Due to American success, the Treaty of Paris (1783) ended the War and Britain agreed to new boundaries of the American nation. Independence enabled colonists to create a new constitution based …show more content…

The annexation of Texas led to the Mexican-American War (1846-48). As Mexico surrendered, the War ended with the peace treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. 525,000 square miles of land was given to America (more than obtained in the Louisiana Purchase). It was potentially stabilising, as it provided the U.S. with access to new materials and ports, if not for the fact that it rekindled the slavery debate. Furthermore, tensions between Mexico and the U.S. halted the plans for a transcontinental railway. A further treaty had to be made, Gadsden Purchase (1853), but resulted in more disputes over the U.S. border and failed to resolve the issues between Mexico and America. The political instability was shown in the reaction to the Wilmot Proviso “the acquisition of any territory from the Republic of Mexico by the United States, by virtue of any treaty which may be negotiated between them…neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory”. The North supported it as they thought slaves’ jobs could be given to free workers, and the South opposed it because they saw slaves as their property (under the Constitution) and feared more free states. This is because Free states would mean plantation owners would lose income and political power. The Proviso did show the

Show More
Related

  • Summary: Contradicting William Jay's Slavery

    461 Words  | 2 Pages

    Contradicting William jay 's slavery as a reason for the war, John D. P. Fuller proposes in his The Slavery Question and the Movement to Acquire Mexico, 1846-1848 that toward the start of the Mexican War, the common conviction was that domain procured from Mexico would enter the union with slavery, yet after sectional controversies had erupted, most Southerners turned out contrary to obtaining of new region. Although many of the people who supported the annexation of texas were slaveholders, they were not primarily motivated by the establishment of slavery in a new state rather it was for manifest destiny since also these southerners were from the southwest. The annexation raced many debates and conflicts and as Fuller said it was not

    Read More

  • Westward Expansion Research Paper

    287 Words  | 2 Pages

    From 1817-1825, immigrants and native New Yorkers alike worked year round by hand and with the help of animals to complete the canal, which finally opened in October 26, 1825. Early on, horses and mules worked the canal system taking turns with boats in long shifts carrying cargo with towlines. At the beginning, the canal could accommodate thirty tons of freight. Travel on the canal to Buffalo from Albany took about five days. When traveled by stage coach, the route took about two weeks.

    Read More

  • The Mexican American War: The Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo

    685 Words  | 3 Pages

    The treaty increased the United State 's size by one third. “In two years the United States acquired the entire Southwest, almost one million square miles, including the present day states of California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado” (4). In exchange for land the United States promised to pay the Mexican government almost 20 million dollars and assume up to 3 million dollars in United States citizens’ land claims against Mexico. On the other hand, between the annexation of Texas and the signing of the treaty, Mexico lost 55% of its territory in 12 years. “The Treaty was the crowning achievement of an unjust war incited and waged by a stronger, richer nation against its weaker, poorer neighbor” (3).

    Read More

  • Seven Years War Effects

    1127 Words  | 5 Pages

    Prior to the start of the Seven Years War, the colonies of the United States had experienced a permissive relationship with Great Britain due to the act of Salutary Neglect. However, after the war, England felt they could no longer have such uninvolved relations with the colonists and began instituting stricter policies over them. Consequently, the Seven Years War marked a great turning point in colonial relations with England, with changes such as the legislation which led to the increase of British control as well as anti-British sentiment in the colonies. But despite these changes, continuities such as loyalty to Britain still remained after the war. At the end of the war, the Treaty Of Paris in 1763 ratified Britain’s uncontested control

    Read More

  • Mexican War Dbq

    600 Words  | 3 Pages

    After many fatal encounters between the two, America had gained control of the territory. They applied for annexation into the United States twice, but congress did not want to aggravate Mexican officials. Although, after James K. Polk was elected president in 1844, congress voted to annex Texas. The United States was not justified in the war with Mexico because they didn’t follow their laws, undisputed territory, and the idea of manifest destiny. To begin with, The United States was not justified because they didn’t abide by Mexico’s

    Read More

  • The Mexican-American War: The Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo

    617 Words  | 3 Pages

    It also marked the beginning of a long and complicated relationship with the United States, characterized by tensions, conflicts, and cooperation. For the United States, the treaty represented the largest territorial acquisition in its history, and it paved the way for the westward expansion of the country. The acquisition of new territories brought new economic opportunities, such as mining, agriculture, and ranching. It also fueled debates over slavery and its expansion, which would eventually lead to the American Civil

    Read More

  • Westward Expansion Research Paper

    701 Words  | 3 Pages

    Would you move Westward? The Westward Expansion is when several of people moved West for the gold rush. Not many people become rich! Many people do go though! I would stay and not move Westward because it’s difficult and might die/get injured, I might not find gold, and it’s a long journey!

    Read More

  • Westward Expansion After Civil War

    762 Words  | 4 Pages

    This expansion would not only demonstrate the ability that the United States had to control North America but also lead to a defining event in United States history, the Civil War. The westward expansion between the years 1789 and 1815 was some of the most influential expansion in American History because of what can be considered an identity crisis the United States was going through as such a young country. The expansion into these areas shed light onto the issues being faced by the people and states of the United States as they continued grow and define themselves. The impact would define a country set the United States on the path to become the world power it is

    Read More

  • Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty

    1551 Words  | 7 Pages

    These two treaties also partly caused the Civil War and affected the events around the war. When the United States purchased all the new land from Mexico, people weren’t sure whether to make the land slave or non slave land. Whenever the United States obtained a new piece of land citizens would have this debate. This was one of the major reasons for the Civil War .This problem occurred after the signing of both treaties. In addition to partly starting the Civil War in the United States, these two treaties also started civil war in Mexico.

    Read More

  • The Mexican War: The Effect Of Manifest Destiny

    2044 Words  | 9 Pages

    Conclusions The Mexican War was fought between the United States and Mexico over disagreements that had been accumulating for two decades. In the course of the war, United States forces invaded Mexico and occupied the capital, Mexico City. By the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the United States acquired from Mexico the regions of California, Nevada, and Utah, most of Arizona and New Mexico, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. But many historians believe the war was an unnecessary attack on a weaker nation. I believe that the war was unnecessary.

    Read More

  • The 1960s And The 1970s Chicano Movement: Cesar Chavez

    1049 Words  | 5 Pages

    They note that the United States was better suited to exploit the region Mexico relinquished because it was primarily devoid of people and insufficiently developed. Others, however, contend that the treaty was an imperialist act that was inequitable and irritable. They emphasize that the war took place on Mexican soil and that the main reason the United States and Mexico went to war was to take back the area that was given up in the treaty. No matter one's opinions on the treaty, it is certain that it had a huge impact on both American and Mexican history.

    Read More

  • Westward Expansion Essay

    703 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Westward Expansion all started when America made the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. There were many benefits from the purchase for the US that the French didn’t realize before they sold it. The purchase gave the US access to the Mississippi river which allowed for expansion of river trade to the North and South from the center of the US. The port city of New Orleans was bought by the US and its prosperity benefited the US greatly. The US sent Lewis and Clark west to investigate the land they purchased.

    Read More

  • How Did Manifest Destiny Affect Mexico

    541 Words  | 3 Pages

    Manifest destiny also affected the relationship with Mexico. Several factors led to the Mexican- American War in 1846. The factors were that the U.S citizens were moving into California and Mexico. Since there were many revolutions happening in Mexico throughout this time period the Mexican government was not able to protect the U.S citizens in this region. Another factor was that Mexico was upset that Texas declared independence from them and then the U. S annexed Texas in 1845.

    Read More

  • Westward Expansion 1800 To 1875 Dbq Analysis

    1333 Words  | 6 Pages

    There were both positive and negative components of westward expansion from 1800 to 1875. By the late of 1800s, the land of the United States was mostly purchased. In seventy five years, the United States continuously expanded westward, which was encouraged by the idea of Manifest Destiny. New land in the United States led to more economic, social, and political opportunities. Gaining more land also led to disputes between the states and wars with other countries.

    Read More

  • Growing Opposition To Slavery In The United States From 1776 To 1852

    835 Words  | 4 Pages

    A). In April of 1846, President James K. Polk had an idea to expand the U.S from coast to coast and after Mexico denied selling land to Polk because they had Texas, Polk declared war on Mexico because they were weaker and would give more land. As a result of the Mexican War, the U.S acquired a lot of land. This acquisition of new land soon posed as a problem regarding slavery. The United States government did not know if slaves should or should not be allowed in the new land.

    Read More

More about Effects Of Westward Expansion

Open Document