Unit 7: Slavery and Manifest Destiny

Justifications of Slavery

1. Slave owners used religion to justify slavery from the bible. - They referenced the "Curse of Ham" where Noah's son was cursed with blackness and forced into slavery. - Religion convinced slaves that their condition was acceptable and favored by God. - The 2nd Great Awakening reinforces the ideas of slavery in the bible. -> However, the 2nd Great Awakening also lead to the Abolition Movement. -> Abolitionists denounced slavery as evil in the eyes of God. 2. Slavery was an economic necessity for America. - The South needed cheap labor to pick cotton while the North relied on cotton for textiles. -> 60% of American exports was cotton. 3. Americans urged that slavery was needed to civilize slaves. - There is a belief that blacks and whites can not coexist peacefully. - People created publications of the "Happy Slave" who was content with bondage. -> They believed slavery benefit whites and blacks. 4. Slaves were viewed as property and therefore the govt could not take them away. - The Constitution was pro-slavery and protected it. - If slaves were viewed as property, then the govt could not take them away. -> This wold go against the 5th amendment which protected peoples right to property with due process. -> It would be hard for the govt to constitutionally end slavery. - Many Southerners argued the federal govt no power to regulate slavery. - The Gag Rule (1836-1844) was put in place to stop all petitions against slavery. -> People were not able to talk about any anti-slavery ideas. -> It would take until 1844 before JQA rallies against the Gag Rule. 5. Racist and inaccurate pseudosciences paint blacks as inferior. - Doctors argued that slaves were genetically predisposed to read and write. -> They believed slaves were too dumb to read and write. - His fake science was used to justify enslavement. -> It convinced many that science justified slavery. 6. Southerners respond to Northern abolitionists by saying slavery is better than "wage slavery." - They argue that immigrants who worked in poor conditions had it worse than slaves. -> Planters convinced their slaves that bondage was better than wages.

The Abolition Movement

Abolition: The political and social movement for the end of slavery in the United States. - There are disagreements within the movement over the path to end slavery. -> The disagreement was over the speed of emancipation. - Gradual Emancipation: Slavery was ended over a long period of time. -> In places like NJ, slavery was gradually emancipated. - Immediate Emancipation: All slavery ends immediately. -> Proponents of this wanted the federal govt to end slavery immediately. -> Frederick Douglass was a major supporter of this. - Colonization: Sending all freed slaves back to Africa. -> The colony of Liberia was created as a way to relocate freed slaves. - Some abolitionists wanted to use violence to end slavery. -> Others believed peaceful solutions would be best for America. The Abolition Movement was very complex and was opposed by people in all regions. - Some Northerners feared that the federal govt was overstepping its boundaries by freeing the slaves. - Irish workers feared that freed blacks would compete with them for jobs.

Causes of the Mexican-American War: Expansionism (1844)

After Polk came into office, he was committed to westward expansion and manifest destiny. - Polk sent soldiers to CA to encourage Californian Independence. -> They briefly formed the Bear Flag Republic but it had not international recognition. - Polk wanted to expand slavery and American values into westward land. -> He was a democrat who dreamed of an expansive Democratic nation where everyone could own land.

Reasons for Mexican-Texan Hostilities (1836)

After the initial settlement of Texans by Stephen Austin, 20,000 had flocked to Texas by 1830. - These Americans brought their slaves with them and created cotton plantations. -> These Americans outnumbered native Mexicans within Texas. - After Mexican Independence in 1821, Mexico abolishes slavery and forces American to practice catholicism. -> This angers many Texans who want to keep their slaves and practice their religion. The biggest reason for Texan hostilities was to protect the right to own slaves. - Texans wanted to establish a profitable slave market. -> They did not want the Mexican government regulating the slave trade. - They further wanted to push the US to protect slavery. -> Texans ultimately wanted to be annexed by America.

Support of Manifest Destiny

Citizens of America saw expansion as justified and inevitable. - Historian RJ Miler found three themes of Manifest Destiny. 1. American Exceptionalism led Americans to believe they had a right western lands as a superior nation. 2, Americans saw western lands as useful for plantation and commercial farming. -> They believed they would use the land better than natives. 3. Americans saw it as their duty to spread Democratic values to uncivilized people. - Overall, the South greatly supported Manifest Destiny. -> They saw western lands in Texas and Louisiana as ripe for plantation farming. - Many Northerners were weary of western expansion. -> Northern Whig politicians feared the spread of slave states that would upset the political balance created by the Missouri Compromise.

Public Opinion on the Mexican American War

Democrats in politics are immediately supportive of the war for westward expansion. - Democrats have a vision for an agrarian America that expands westward. -> Democrats also want to expand slavery westward. - Whigs are worried that the war would expand slavery. -> Whigs did not want to upset the fine balance of slavery. - At the beginning of the war, the Wilmot Proviso is put forth which would admit any captured lands as free. -> This was struck down but saw heavy support from Whigs. Initially, 200,000 volunteers answer the call for 50,000 volunteer soldiers. - This fervor stems from the belief in Manifest Destiny. -> They want to spread American values into Mexico. - Over time, support for the war from soldiers wains. -> Desertion becomes common among soldiers who no longer wanted to fight (Ex. St. Patricks Battalion). A small group of intellectuals, abolitionists, and Whig/Democrats Congressmen questioned the war. - This was a minority group found all throughout the country. - American essayist Henry D. Thoreau protests the war by refusing to pay tax and spends a night in jail. -> This leads him to write "On Civil Disobedience." - Civil Disobedience means breaking laws for the purpose of bringing attention to unjust laws. -> Later reformists such as MLK were very inspired by Thoreau's ideas. -> The idea of civil disobedience was to check unjust government laws.

Effect of Abolition: New Parties Emerge (1840s-1850s)

Due to abolition, new parties begin to emerge in the 1840s-1850s. - Liberty Party: A one-issue party focussed on emancipation. - Free Soil Party: A third party that wanted to end the westward expansion of slavery. -> This party wanted to keep western lands open for free white laborers and farmers. - Republican Party: A national party that forms in opposition to the Democrats and slavery. -> The Republicans formed out of the ashes of the Whig Party who collapsed due to the issue of slavery. -> The emergence of the Republican Party would lead to the Third Party System.

Lincoln's Response to the Mexican-American War (1847)

During the war, Lincoln writes the Spot Resolution. - The Spot Resolution bring to light how America provoked Mexico into a conflict. -> He argued that the land Polk moved troops into was not American land. -> He believes that American blood was only shed upon disputed territory.

Timeline of Texas Independence (1821-1836)

In 1821, Mexico declares its independence from Spain. - This is known as the Mexican War of Independence. In 1822, the first American settlements are set up by Stephen Austin. - In 1829, Mexico forces those settlers to convert to catholicism and give up their slaves. -> This greatly angers the Texans. In 1836, Texas declares its independence from Mexico and fights the Mexican army. - Texans stand off with Mexico at the Battle of the Alamo. -> While only three Americans survived, the battle rallies the Texans against the Mexicans. - At the final battle of San Jacinto, the Texans defeat Santa Anna. -> They force him to sign the Treaty of Velasco (1836) which recognizes Texas as independent. - However, Santa Anna is soon thrown out of power and the Mexican government does not recognize Texan independence. -> This leaves Texas in a limbo state where they form the Lone Star Republic (1836-1845). -> The Texan independence was recognized by the UK, France, and the United States.

Texas Declaration of Independence (1836)

In 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico in the Texas Declaration of Independence. - They did this in response to the oppression of American values by Gen. Santa Anna. -> Santa Anna overthrew the Mexican Republic to become a dictator. Grievances of the Texans against Mexico: - Many Texans were angry that Mexico did not have a public education system. - They ate angry that Mexico restricts the worship f Protestantism. - Texans believe Santa Sanna is a tyrannical ruler who is oppressive. -> They argue that his rule challenges Democratic values. - Many Texans were angered by the lack of protection against Native Americans. Note: There was major bias in the document as it was from the perspective of the Texans.

US Expansion After 1840

In the 1840s, America expands into Oregon territory and Texas. - The US annexes Texas in 1845 which was a Republic for 9 years after independence from Mexico. - After joint ownership of Oregon with Britain, America settles the modern-day border of Canada at the 49th parallel under the Oregon Treaty (1846). - America also fights a war with Mexico for control of the Pacific coast. -> They rounded off their expansion with the Gadsden Purchase in 1854.

The Election of 1844

In the election, James Polk beats Henry Clay in an election fought over expansion into Texas. - Polk is an expansionist who wants to increase the size of the US. -> Polk supports manifest destiny and the spread of American values. - During his Presidency, Polk annexes Texas and goes to war with Mexico. -> Polk wants to expand American westward at all costs.

American Progress by John Gast (1872)

John Gast depicted a scene in which Americans were moving westward. - The movement stemmed from an established eastern city on the horizon of the rising sun. -> This painted eastern US culture as enlightened and civilized. -> This directly contrasted from the dark colors of the west which emphasized its underdevelopment. - In the painting, natives are running from the American settlers. -> The natives are in fear of the angel while the Americans are peaceful in its presence. - The angel represents God's mission for America to spread Democratic values across the continent. -> The angel holds a school book in her hand which represented the spread of Democratic education. -> The Democratic value of education was made popular by Horace Mann and education reformists. -> The angle also place telegraph wires which were a new technology that sped up communication. -> The mal servicemen also helped to improve communications across the nation. - The farmers in the picture are plowing using new inventions such as the Deere Plow. - The wagon trains in the picture are representative of the pioneers who ettler western lands. -> They traveled along routes such as the Oregon Trail and had to face obstacles such as natives and disease. - The buffalo carcasses and train pollution help raise awareness for the environmental impact of expansion. -> These concerns only came about in the late 1800s. John Gast's painting and other similar works helped to reinforce Manifest Destiny. - Americans saw themselves as the ones to bring civilization to the west.

John Melish's Map (1816)

John Melish created one of the first American maps in 1816. - His map depicted a symmetrical view of America with the states on one side and the unoccupied western lands on the other. -> He created the first modern map of America. - He helped to show where America should expand into. - This leads many to dream and envision an America spanning from coast to coast. -> His maps motivated people to move westward.

Free Black Populations

Many free blacks were freed due to the Revolution or due to manumission. - Manumission: Freed by owner. -> This was most often through wills. - There is about 250,000 free blacks in the North and 250,000 in the South. -> Most free blacks in the South lived along the Southern coast and in Virginia. -> There were more free blacks in Southern cities since they gave former slaves opportunities to work. - Free blacks had limited opportunities overall. -> Free blacks wanted to differentiate themselves from slaves. - In the North and South, there was racial prejudice and discrimination. -> There was tensions between Irish workers and free blacks.

Growth of Slavery in America (1790-1860)

Over the course of the Atlantic Slave Trade, millions of African sare stolen from their homes. - The growth of slavery often times dehumanize the scale of slavery and its impact on Africans. The initial increase of the slave trade in America occurs during the 1700s. - These slaves mostly would end up in the Southern states. -> However, many slaves were imported to the Caribbean. - In 1808, the external slave trade is banned in America. -> However, the internal slave trade begins to thrive with the large amount of slaves already in America. The expansion of slavery in the deep South westward was driven by: 1. Economic profits from slavery drove expansion of slavery to Southern and Western states. -> Planters relied on slaves to fuel the cotton economy. -> Additionally, Northern textile mills relied on Southern cotton while Northern banks supplied loans for cotton planters. -> Chattel slavery was used in the South which meant slave were property. -> Due to chattel slavery, a sizeable amount of a planters wealth was invested into slaves. -> The slave economy was entwined with the prosperity of the Southern states and citizens. 2. New innovations such as the cotton gin excelerated the demand for cotton. -> The Market Revolution led to new modes of transportations and other industrial innovations that reinforced the Southern cotton industry. -> The demand for cotton led to westward expansion as planters need more land to farm cotton. -> More slaves were needed to pick the cotton to feed the growing demand. -> This led to the entrenchment of slavery in the South and heavily contrasted from the Northern industrial economy.

Annexation of Texas (1845)

Public opinion is split over the annexation of Texas. - Support for annexation comes from Texans and Southern slave owners. -> They want to protect slavery in Texas. - Northerners oppose the annexation due to slavery and war. -> Abolitionists want to prohibit the spread of slavery which would unbalance the nation. -> Whigs want to prevent war with other nations over western border disputes. After independence in 1836, Jackson and Van Buren do not accept Texas into the union. - Rather, Jackson recognizes Texan independence on his last day in office. - During John Tyler's term, he pushes for the annexation of Texas. -> However, Congress votes against admitting Texas to the union. - When Polk comes into office, he again pushes for annexation. -> In 1845, he wins the support of Congress and admits Texas to the union. -> This admission would trigger a series of events that lead to the Mexican-American War (1846-1848).

The Ways Slaves Coped with Enslavement: Resistance and Revolt

Slaves attempted to resist and rebel against their masters. - Slaves instituted work slowdowns to resist their masters control. -> However, the introduction of the whip stopped work slowdowns. - Slaves would break tools, set fire to houses, or destroy barns. -> Slaves would also run away through the Underground Railroad. - The Underground Railroad was an informal network of safe houses. -> Harriet Tubman was one of the "conductors" of the UGRR who made 19 trips to the South. -> Harriet Tubman shuttled slaves to Canada due to the Fugitive Slave Act. -> Many bounty hunters would be employed to slave owners to recapture slaves who were not theirs. -> Blacks in the North lived with the fear of being recaptured. Revolts by slaves led to "black codes" and slave patrols. - The Denmark Vessey revolt occurred in 1822 in SC and was quickly put down. - Nat Turner was a Virginian slave who killed 60 whites in 1831 before being hanged. - The unsuccessful revolts led to further control of slave populations. -> Slave rebellions instilled fear within masters. -> Planters wanted to control the slave population to prevent any future slave insurrections.

The Ways Slaves Coped with Enslavement

Slaves created their own unique culture that defied their masters. 1. Slaves developed songs and music to voice their sorrows. -> Singing became instrumental for slaves to retain normalcy. 2. African and Christian traditions combined to form slave churches. -> These churches gave slaves hope in times of hardship. -> This allowed slaves to create their own, unique culture. 3. Slaves funerals were a way that slaves could voice their collective pain. -> Despite the banning of slave gatherings, slave tried to commemorate those who died. -> Slave weddings also played a large role in helping slaves to retain a sense of normalcy

The Ways Southern Planters Controlled Slaves

Slaves were kept submissive and controlled in many ways. 1. Slaves were separated from their families at a young age. -> Slave masters had no regard for the feelings of mothers. -> Slaves were treated as sub-humans and were sold at auctions like animals. -> 1/5 slave children were sold away from their families. 2. Violence was sued to keep slaves in line. -> Whippings were made public spectacles to dehumanizes slaves. -> Whipping helped to increase the productivity of slaves. -> Slaves who did not meet their cotton quota were beaten which made slaves work harder. 3. Slaves were dehumanized by being kept like animals. -> Slaves were housed in poor conditions and were given little food. 4. Slaves were not allowed to read or write. -> This kept slaves ignorant to their situation and kept slaves from learning to rebel. -> Slave owners were afraid that knowledge would give slaves power. 5. Slave owners used the law to control slaves. -> Slave codes were created that controlled the livelihoods of slaves. 6. Planters used religion to brainwash slave to be loyal. -> Planters preached that slaves who rebelled would go to hell.

Influences on American Exceptionalism (1630-1840s)

Staring in 1630 with John Winthrop, Americas saw themselves as a "city upon a hill." - Americans believed they were a model society with a God given right to North American lands. - As the colonies were established, Americans expanded westward to create this model society. Thomas Jefferson saw American westward expansion as justified. - Jefferson wanted to extend liberty and freedom across North America. - He wanted to form an "empire of liberty." Jefferson and Winthrop's vision of America led to westward expansion and American Exceptionalism. - Manifest Destiny and American Exceptionalism were deeply rooted in society beginning with the colonies.

Causes of the Mexican-American War: Annexation of Texas (1845)

The Annexation of Texas in 1845 soured relations between Mexico and the US. - Mexico never accepted Texas as independent despite the Treaty of Velasco and believed they had no right to break away. - In between 1836-1845, the US would not annex Texas for fear of going to war with Mexico. -> However, when Polk comes into office, he pushes for the annexation of Texas. -> This angered the Mexicans who argued it was an attack on Mexican sovereignty.

American Colonization Society

The Colonization Society supported funding ships to relocate slaves back to Africa. - The society created the colony of Liberia for freed blacks. - High-profile politicians such as Henry Clay and Lincoln supported recolonization. -> They wanted to fund transport to Liberia and the purchase of slaves with federal funds. - The plan is largely unsuccessful at relocating freed slaves. -> It was difficult for the ACS to gain funding from the govt. -> Slave owners resisted selling their slaves to the ACS as they needed for labor. -> Likewise, Democrats in Congress were unlikely to spend money in Congress to recolonize slaves. - Many slaves did not want to be recolonized as they viewed America as their homeland.

Spark for the Mexican-American War (1846)

The Mexican President refused to meet with the diplomatic envoy (Slidell Mission) for buying CA + NM. - The offer offended Mexico who believed the land was theirs and could not be bought. -> This ended diplomatic relations between Mexico and America. In May 1846, Polk sends troops lead by Zach Taylor into disputed territory along the Rio Grande River. - Polk does this knowing that it will be viewed as an act of aggression by the Mexicans. -> Many Whigs see this act as unconstitutional because Polk sought to start a war without Congress's consent. - After Mexico retaliate, Polk declares that Mexico was the aggressor. -> This lead to Polk signing a declaration of war in 1846. - On May 13ths 1846, Congress votes to go to war with Mexico.

Causes of Mexican-American War: Border Disputes (1846)

The Texas Annexation joint resolution that was passed in 1845 caused land disputes. - Mexico and America disagreed over the border. -> Mexico believed the border was at the Nueces River while America believed it was at the Rio Grande. - Originally, the US offers $25 million to Mexico to buy CA and settle the land dispute. -> Mexico declines the offer and sends the diplomatic mission home. -> The interaction offends the Mexicans who argued they had a right to the land while America was offended that their offer was declined.

Manifest Destiny (1840-1860)

The popular idea that the US had the divine duty to extend its power westward to the Pacific. - This included the spread of all the institutions and ideas of America. -> First coiner by John O'Sullivan, Manifest Destiny was the obvious fate of America to expand westward. Manifest Destiny was driven by: - American nationalism led to the rise of Manifest Destiny. -> Nationalism: Extreme patriotism in ones country. -> Nationalism becomes dangerous when it is used to justify conflict and violence. -> Americans held the belief that their country was superior and a right to western lands. - Population increase drove people to expand westward to escape overcrowding. - Economic developments motivated people to expand westward. -> The Cotton and commercial farming industries required new land to grow crops. - Technological advances allowed people to move westward easier (Market Revolution). -> Ex. Railroads made travel faster while telegraphs made communications faster. - Reform ideals led Americans to move westward to share republican ideas with other cultures. -> Many saw it as their duty to "civilize" natives. American exceptionalism was used to justify Manifest Destiny. - Americans saw themselves as superior and therefore had a duty to spread their values to other people and new lands.

American Exceptionalism

The theory that America is unique due to its Revolutionary founding, Democratic ideals, and personal freedom. - This makes the US morally superior to other countries and therefore has a duty to spread its values across NA. -> Americans truly though of themselves a "a city upon a hill." -> The "city upon a hill" represented the American values that were a model for a stable nation. - American Exceptionalism held the idea that the US was superior to all nation and cultures.

The Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo (1848)

This treaty ended the war and forced Mexico to cede 500,000+ sq miles of territory to the US. - This is known as the Mexican Cession and provided land for teh CA and NM territories. - The US gave Mexico $15 million in return and America assumed the debt from US citizens against Mexico. - It also moved the border of Texas to the Rio Grande.

Prominent Abolitionists (1840s)

William Lloyd Garrison - He was a leading NE abolitionists and was extremely popular in the Northeast. Garrison found The Liberator and The American Anti-Slavery Society (1838). -> These were popular in the North and NE. - Garrison was seen as radical since he called the Constitution Pro-Slavery. -> He went on to support succession from the union by free states to form a new constitution. -> However, Garrison supported a peaceful end to slavery. - Garrison fully believed slavery was immoral and sought to convince Americans of this. -> He wanted to convince people slavery was evil. - Garrison did not want to use politics to stop slavery since he wanted immediate, uncompensated emancipation. -> Garrison was angry at the American political system for protecting slavery. -> He saw that an anti-slavery law would never pass. Frederick Douglass - Douglass was an escaped slave who became a leading abolitionist and follower of Garrison. -> Douglass was Garrison's protege. - However, Douglass drifts away from Garrison. -> He begins to see Garrison as too radical and doesn't want disunion. -> Douglass had a moderate view on emancipation. - Douglass wanted to end slavery through politics and federal laws. -> This differed from Garrison who saw the political system as corrupt.