American Progress and Manifest Destiny Quiz

American Progress and Manifest Destiny

John Gast’s 1872 painting, “American Progress,” depicts westward expansion and the spread of American civilization, showcasing key elements like modes of transportation (stagecoaches, trains, ships), economic activities (farming, commerce, industrialization), and individuals (settlers, farmers, workers)
The painting uses symbolism like light vs. dark to represent progress and civilization, the “floating woman” (Columbia) embodies American expansion.
Manifest Destiny, coined by John O’Sullivan, embodied the belief in American territorial expansion and the idea that it was their destined role to spread across the North American continent.

Antebellum America Reforms

The Antebellum period (1820-1860) witnessed significant intellectual and social reforms
This period saw the rise of Transcendentalism, a philosophical movement that emphasized individual intuition and experience over tradition and conformity.
Abolitionism gained momentum, advocating for the end of slavery
The Temperance Movement aimed to reduce alcohol consumption and its negative impacts
The expansion of the Penny Press, a cheap, mass-produced newspaper, provided widespread access to news and information.
Education reform focused on improving education accessibility and quality, while the Women's Rights Movement advocated for equal rights for women.
The Prison Reform movement aimed to improve prison conditions and address societal causes of crime.
The Oregon Trail served as a significant migration route for westward expansion.

Western Expansion and Territorial Acquisitions

The Transcontinental Telegraph replaced the Pony Express as a vital means of communication across growing distances.
Key Territorial Acquisitions

Original Thirteen States (1776-1783)
- Gained independence from Great Britain.
- Significant bodies of water: Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay.
British Cession (1783, Treaty of Paris)

Northwest Territory
- Included modern-day states: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota.
- Significant bodies of water: Great Lakes.
Louisiana Purchase (1803)
- Purchased from France for $15 million.
- Included states: Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, parts of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado.
- Significant bodies of water: Mississippi River, Missouri River.
Florida (1819)
- Acquired through the Adams-Onis Treaty.
- Significant bodies of water: Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico.
Texas Annexation (1845)
- Annexed after Texas gained independence from Mexico.
- Key figures: Sam Houston, Stephen Austin.
- Significant body of water: Gulf of Mexico.
Oregon Country (1846)
- Acquired through a treaty with Great Britain.
- Included states: Oregon, Washington, Idaho, parts of Montana and Wyoming.
- Significant bodies of water: Pacific Ocean, Columbia River.
Mexican Cession (1848)
- Result of the Mexican-American War.
- Included states: California, Nevada, Utah, parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado.
- Significant body of water: Pacific Ocean.
Gadsden Purchase (1853)
- Purchased from Mexico for southern transcontinental railroad construction.
Alaska (1867)
- Purchased from Russia for $7.2 million.
- Significant bodies of water: Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean, Bering Sea.
Hawaii (1898)
- Annexed after the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.

Additional Territorial Events

Maine’s boundary was established in 1842.
The Tallmadge Amendment (1819) proposed to prohibit the introduction of any more slaves into the state.
The Missouri Compromise (1820) admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, establishing a line of demarcation between free and slave territories.

Westward Migration

Between 1840 and 1860, approximately 250,000 people migrated westward.
Major trails used for westward migration included the Oregon Trail, California Trail, and Mormon Trail.

California

John C. Fremont’s rebellion led to the formation of the Bear Flag Republic, briefly an independent California.
The discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill in 1848 triggered the California Gold Rush, a period of intense migration to the region.

Mexican-American War and Its Aftermath

The Mexican-American War (1846-1848) erupted due to a dispute over the border between Texas and Mexico, particularly the Rio Grande.
Abraham Lincoln's "Spot Resolutions" questioned the justification for the war, demanding the specific location where an alleged incident occurred to initiate the war.
Key figures during the war included General Zachary Taylor ("Old Rough & Ready") and General Winfield Scott.
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) ended the war, resulting in the U.S. gaining California and New Mexico. The Rio Grande was formally recognized as the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Wilmot Proviso, introduced by Congressman David Wilmot, proposed to prohibit slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico, further intensifying tensions between the North and South.

Political Developments and Pre-Civil War Tensions

The Free Soil Party (1848) formed, advocating against the expansion of slavery into conquered territories.
The 1848 presidential election saw Zachary Taylor elected as the 12th President.
The Compromise of 1850, proposed by Henry Clay, attempted to address issues fueling national division. It brought about critical changes:
- California was admitted to the Union as a free state
- The Fugitive Slave Act was strengthened requiring Northerners to assist in capturing escaped slaves
- The Texas-Mexico boundary conflict was resolved
- The slave trade was abolished in Washington, D.C.
- New Mexico and Utah were granted popular sovereignty (allowing residents to decide on slavery)
The Fugitive Slave Act (1850), part of the Compromise of 1850, required Northerners to actively participate in returning escaped slaves to their owners, imposing severe fines and imprisonment for those who aided runaway slaves.