Download Territorial Expansion Brian Arsenault 4A Territorial expansion, 1800

Territorial Expansion
Brian Arsenault 4A
Territorial expansion, 1800-1855, sparked several issues between supporters and opponents,
which shaped several government policies including political, racial, and foreign issues. During this time
period there were far more supporters of expansion then opponents, because of the need for an
expanding economy and the idea of Manifest Destiny. Although the supporters shaped the government
in several ways, the opponents also contributed with counter arguments to the Louisiana Purchase and
rulings such as Worcester vs. Georgia.
Territorial expansion began with the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Thomas Jefferson bought the
land from the French to expand territory and bring more natural resources to the United States. This
opened up new land for settlement and growth. Shortly after this purchase the option of war with
Britain broke out. Americans decided to go to war with Britain in hopes for expansion, with the British
out of United States territory (Document B). Once the British were expelled from U.S. territory
Americans were free to expand into the west. Supporters of expansion also were eager to have Florida
under their territory. The government created the Adam Onis Treaty which gave Florida to America
insuring America’s dominance on the East Coast. The United States in order to assure expansion needed
to stop any foreign nations from trying to enter North America, so they created the Monroe Doctrine.
This warned any foreign nation that if they try to colonize any part of the new world there would be
war. Supporters of expansion gained further support by creating the idea of manifest destiny
throughout the 19th century (Document E). This assured expansionists that what they were doing was
morally right and justifiable. Many citizens flocked in herds to the West in search of new economic and
social gains. Another major aspect that supporters of expansion banked on was the idea of new trade
routes (document F). The supporters thought that when settlements were made on the west coast new
trade would develop with Asia. To ensure the development of expansion supporters needed the Indians
relocated for American citizens to move westward (document D). They pushed for the Indian Removal
Act, which was signed into law with Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Bur in 1830 who was a huge
supporter of expansion (document G). With the presidents support, society and the federal government
was onboard with expansion. The Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842 was also another way in which the
government had to intervene in terms of expansion. This was an issue between the United States and
Britain, in which a treaty was made resolving border issues in Maine. This showed the need for
expansion in all off America not only in the west. One of the final ways the supporters influenced
government was with the Ostend Manifesto. This showed how eager the government and society was
willing to expand (document J).
Although many citizens were supporters of expansion, there were several in opposition.
Opposition first came with the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. With the purchase of a mass amount of
territory many individuals were shocked. Those who were in opposition to it, mostly federalists, argued
that the U.S. constitution said nothing about acquiring new land. They thought that the U.S. was no
safer then it was before with the acquiring of new land and they had no army to protect this mass
amount of land (document A). Shortly after the Louisiana Purchase there were several problems over
what to do with Native Americans. Those opposed to the removal of Indians supported Worcester vs.
Georgia. This was an accomplishment for the Native Americans, because it gave them more rights.
People also thought that the government was taking over too much power involving expansion. They
were making the major decisions, such as the Missouri Compromise of 1820, and excluding citizens
decisions (document I). Another major disposition to expansion came after the Mexican war. The United
States had the option of expanding into Mexico. Callhoun recognized that this great expansion would
have been a great mistake. Many people against the expansion new that it would destroy American
culture (document H). The compromise of 1850 was a government policy that was enacted due to
expansion, which temporarily stalled succession. The final major opposition came over the issue of
slavery. With the introduction of new states led to the issue over the expansion of slavery. Those who
opposed slavery usually were against expansion, because they knew that with expansion came slavery.
This contributed to sectionalism thoughout the nation.
In conclusion, both supporters and opponents of territorial expansion made major impacts in
shaping federal government policies. Supporters argued that expansion was necessary and led to new
opportunities for the U.S. that influenced policies. Those in Opposition thought that expansion went
against the constitutions and other government ideas, so the government was responsible for changing
policies to coincide with their ideas. Many of these issues over territorial expansion between 1800-1855
were just minor resolves to major sectional issues that arouse, leading to the civil war.