How the Americas Change:The Long 19th Century

Devin KoppelHistory 141 - Fall 2011

Professor Arguello

The Americas in the 19th Century: Growth & Conflict

America experienced an increase in the number of Chinese immigrants during the gold rush in the mid-1800's Many immigrants found their quick riches in gold, but many settled and became prosperousAll of these people contributed to the transformation of the Americas - political, social, and economic developmentThey also increased the ethnic diversity of America while stimulating the development of the western hemisphere

During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the western hemisphere experienced independence from Europe, which marked a focus on the development of societies and states with a focus on freedom, equality, constitutional government – Declaration of IndependenceThe age of independence was a time of massive growth, but also of stagnation, war, violence, conflict, and the struggle for equalityWestward expansion generated tension between United States and Mexico and led to the Mexican-American War (1845-1848) – America conquered and paid Mexico 15 million dollars for most of Texas, California, and New MexicoConflicts over slavery led to the Civil War (1861-1865)Ultimately, the northern states ended slavery in the United States and reunited American states

The Americas in the 19th Century: Canadian Independence

Canadian independence differs from American independence in that they did not fight any warsTwo major ethnic groups: French Canadians and British Canadians – absolved differences to battle fears of U.S. Invasion and expansionThe War of 1812 strengthened this unity as the US declared war on Britain and Canadian forces repelled US attacks – victory led to Canadian prideAfter this war, Canada experienced major growthDespite the major differences, Canada never experienced any internal conflicts and the union prompted Britain to grand independence to CanadaBritish North America Act of 1867 formed the Dominion of CanadaAlso created a federal government haeded by a governor-general who acted as the British representativeJohn A. Macdonald was the first prime minister of Canada – worked to unity all of British North AmericaJust like America, Canada developed with a culturally diverse yet politically unified society

The Little Ice Age

The 14Th - 19th century was era of volatile climatic shifts that caused chilling destruction and change

The Little Ice Age reshaped the world and changed the course of history, although the cause is still an area of major debate in the science community today

During this period, many believed it was the work of witchcraft of the devil

Dramatic changes in weather patterns have a negative impact on human populations, and scientists are attempting to unravel the mystery before it becomes a reoccurrence in our society today

Several causes are being researched such as: cyclical lows in solar radiation, heightened volcanic activity, changes in oceanic currents, global warming, and more

The major theme or significance from this event is that history repeats itself, and if we do not attempt to understand what has happened in the past, we may not be able to face a reoccurrence in the future

Frontiers of the

Americas

Thomas Jefferson's great achievement of 1803, the Louisiana Purchase, was one of much conflict and debate for the President His decision went against his own philosophies listed in the ConstitutionThe deal was necessary to avoid a potential conflict with FranceThe purchase nearly doubled the land area of America, but the purchase did not define exact boundaries with SpainA major effect of this event deals with Jefferson's decision to take liberties with the Constitution – could this possibly have had an influence on future Presidents and their justifications in “changing the rules?”

The Haitian Revolution led to the elimination of slavery in the French colony of Saint-Domingue and founded the Haitian RepublicHundreds rebellions occurred in the New World to fight slavery, but none were as effective as the Haitian Revolution and the American RevolutionHaitian Constitution serves as a means for slaves to take free land and become free peoplesThis period of time also had the impact of dividing the world into specific slave and non-slave zones – making differences more prominent The revolution also served as a strong force of “revolutionary example”

The Louisiana Purchase led to the freedom of Haiti as France gave up their rule, forming the first black-led independent nation in Latin America

Frontiers of the

Americas

Violence for Show depicts the significance of violence and slaughter in 19th century South America, the cutting of throats being a ritualistic expression of power and forceViolence was used to show pride, honor, and valorSymbolic violence also defined cultural group and social classThese attacks were more expressive – the intent was to prove a point rather than to kill or harm the opponentCarlota Lucia de Brito was a young woman living in 19th century Brazil who was condemned to life in prison for ordering the assassination of a Conservative enemyThe issue here is whether she was punished for the crime of murder or for being a political enemy of the party in powerThis also raises questions about women's independence in Brazil at the time – although she was dependent on a politically powerful man to take the actions she tookThe Other Duel presents a fictional situation that depicts the negative outcome of letting dignity and pride lead your actionsThe foolishness of the characters is a representation of the symbolic violence in 19th century Brazil, and how it did more harm than it did good for the development of their society

Prince Maximilian zu Wied and Karl Bodmer kept a historical record of the American Indians in 19 th century American in the “Views of a Vanishing Frontier”Their records left a lasting record that is cherished by Native Americans as an important legacy that preserves their historyThe Native American's history, language, and culture precede the arrival of white men to the Western HemisphereBodmer is an extremely important interpreter of the people and lives of these people through his original paintings and location photographyMaximilian studied the cultures of the tribes and wrote Reise in das Innere Nord-Amerikas (1840)These records are an extremely important part of American history – they ensure that the culture and lives of the Native American people will never be forgotten and will be cherished forever

Crossroads of

Freedom: Pre-Civil WarSocial reform, westward expansion, cultural diversity, immigration, slavery, war, depression, and many other significant events lead up to the beginning of the American Civil WarThe years leading up to the Civil war marked a time of doubt and uncertainty for the survival of the United StatesBy September 1852, the Union had suffered many defeats and the Northern armies and voters were losing hope

The Southern army was in Maryland preparing for an attack on Washington lead by Robert E. LeeLincoln was waiting for a victory and the future looked bleak – both the Union and the Confederacy knew that war was looming in the distance The awaited battle came with the battle of Antietam – which, according to McPherson, held an enormous influence over the course of the entire Civil WarThe Union's hope was restored with the victory, even though it came about through a battle of courage, misjudgement, and coincidence – this boost in morale was extremely important to the North

Crossroads of

Freedom:Civil War

The Civil War began on April 12, 1861 – the first year of war was met with many defeats for the UnionIn order for the Union to win, it would have to defeat the Confederate army, conquer and occupy it's territories and destroy it's governmentGeneral George B. McClellan had to be replaced by an unknown General named Ulysses S. Grant – and almost over night the Union began to triumphLincoln issued a call for volunteers and congress authorized a draft, while England and France were beginning to consider action to support the South

Until August 6, 1861, Lincoln did not have the constitutional power to abolish slavery, until congress passed an act that authorized the seizure of all property that aided the rebellion, including slavesAfter another series of losses for the Union, the once again asked McClellan to take command of the Union troops. A union corporal soon discovered the battle plans made by General Lee after the invasion of Maryland, however this did not help the North because McClellan did not take swift action, leading to the Union fort Harpers Ferry to surrender to the ConfederatesIn an effort to save his remaining men, Lee decided to stay as Sharpsburg – leading to the battle of Antietam

Crossroads of

Freedom:The Battle at Antietam

Although many believe it was the Battle of Gettysburg that marked the turning point in the Civil War, McPherson argues that it was in fact the battle at Antietam that changed the course of historyThis was a two-day battle near the town of Sharpsburg in rural Maryland that began on September 17, 1862The book recounts the event as the single bloodiest day in American history – claiming the lives of over 6,000 soldiers and seriously wounding another 15,000A major importance of the victory of the North was that is delayed the English and the French from what seemed like an imminent diplomatic recognition of the Confederacy – before this battle the Confederacy was on the "brink of military victory"Another significant effect of the victory was the confidence given to Abraham Lincoln to free slaves through a preliminary Emancipation ProclamationThis put Lincoln back in control of Congress

Crossroads of FreedomAfter the victory at the Battle at Antietam the Emancipation Proclamation caused conflict but also helped to preserve the Union and give a new hope for freedom General McClellan saw Antietam as “his finest hour” - where his actions lent to the life of the Union and earned gratitude from the people of the RepublicThe battle was extremely gruesome and had a profound effect on everyone involved, even those who were fortunate enough to avoid physical harm, visions of a bloody battle lingered in the minds of surviving soldiers Antietam is a prime example of the raw brutality and realities of warMcPherson offers a detailed description not only of the brutality of war, but of the society, culture, technology, human decisions, and impulses that all together created the conditions that lead to the conflictThe effects of war go far beyond the battle field into centuries and decades of change – things would not be the same today if the outcome of the individual decisions, mistakes, battles, and war had been different. Every single decision has had an affect on where we stand today