Transformation of American Society,

1815-1840

The Sweep West From 1791-1803, four new

states (Vt, Ky, Tn, and Oh) By 1821, six more (In, Ms, Il, Al,

Me, and Mo) Pioneers usually migrated as

families and settled near navigable rivers (later railroads, but always near those like them)

Western Society and Customs

Craved sociability Sports and festivities –

always a test of strength or agility (e.g.-Gander pulling)

Hoedowns and frolics Clear division of labor

The Far West Adventuring spirit carried a

few beyond the Mississippi River

Zebulon Pike Lewis and Clark Jedediah Smith Kit Carson

The Federal Govt. and the West

One of the key causes of expansion was the govt.

Before Ratification, several states ceded western claims to the govt., creating a vast public domain

Land Ordinance of 1785 Land Ordinance of 1787 Louisiana Purchase of 1803 Transcontinental Treaty of 1819

Promised land to those who signed up for the War of 1812 (6 million total)

Congress authorizes the extension of the National Road in 1816

This spelled the end for Native Americans• Spanish protection is gone• Treaty of Ghent that ended the War of

1812 – an initial plan of the British was to create an Indian Buffer in the Old Northwest between the U.S. and Canada

Indian Removal Sizable numbers of Native Americans

in the South (Five Civilize Tribes) The Cherokees were actually very

“cultured” Many mixed-bloods voluntarily

moved or sold lands to whites; full bloods held out

Southern states make a move to get the Indians out

Al, Ga, and Ms survey tribal lands and squatters; they also extended state jurisdiction over the tribes (which outlawed tribal govts.)

Declared no Indian could be a witness in court in cases involving whites

Could not vote or hold office In 1834 Cherokee Chief John Ross

had his house put up as a prize in a state lottery

1830 – Indian Removal Act: to exchange public lands for Indian lands and appropriating $500000 to pay for the expenses of removal

During Jackson’s administration NA exchanged 100 million acres for 32 million acres of public land

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831)• Cherokee are not an independent

republic within Georgia; rather they are a “domestic dependent nation”

Worcester v. Georgia (1832)• The Cherokee are a distinct community

within Georgia entitling them to federal protection from tampering by Georgia; this gives them a claim to the lands within Georgia