Editor-in-Chief
Western Family YMCA
In today’s political atmosphere there are a plethora of parties that occasionally get confusing. Approximately three dominate the scene: the Democrats, Whigs, and the Know-Nothings.
The Democratic Party was born from Andrew Jackson’s own political ideals, hence the term Jacksonian Democrats. Founded by “Old Hickory,” members typically are of the working class and do not trust those of the upper classes. It is also typical that a Democrat does not support large corporations, but does appreciate and is very protective of his personal liberties including freedom of economic choice. Although Jackson worked to keep both state and federal powers appeased, he did favor limiting federal powers as exemplified by his veto of the renewal of the Bank of the United States.
The Whig party was formed by the lingering Federalist sentiments of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. Officially founded in 1834, the party is practically the opposite of the Democrats. Their platform favors federal power over the states therefore a strong, central national government. They especially look for a government to have checks and balances, and the unchecked power of Andrew Jackson frightened them. The term Whig, if you have not understood the reference, was originally used to describe patriotic colonists who opposed the Tories and the British crown before the Revolution. (Jackson used to be called King Andrew). Jackson’s overwhelming popularity gave him great power.
The Know-Nothing Party’s creation was fueled the waves of immigrants arriving in America. Comprised of Protestant citizens who are unwelcoming to these newcomers, it was once a secret society—hence the name “know nothing.” When questioned about the goings-on of the party when they were underground, any member would just say “I don’t know.” This party is currently growing in popularity as the Whig and Democratic parties are weakening.
In response to the slavery issue that has divided the American political system, more and more politicians have become disenfranchised. Prominent figures such as Abraham Lincoln have been rumored to have intentions of starting their own political party that are based on a platform similar to that of the Whigs. As no solid events on this subject have yet occurred, there are no facts to report.
WHY WEST? MANIFEST DESTINY
Ralph Waldo Emerson has said, “Europe stretches to the Alleghenies; American lies beyond.” The rustic and natural appeal of the western territories is widely recognized and chartering the wild frontier seems romantic. The availability of land for every pioneer is an attractive guarantee for the migrants as well as the freedom from industrialization. Of course, the California Gold Rush contributes immensely as well as the prophetic fertile San Francisco Bay. Earlier this year gold was discovered in the newly acquired territory followed by a flood many men and much fewer women out west.
Fortunate for them, traveling west is now more accessible than ever because of advancements made in transportation. Railroads, first manufactured in the United States in 1828, are under construction farther west and growing more prominent in the North. It is projected that in the upcoming years the system may grow to reach as far as Missouri. Robert Fulton’s invention of the steamboat drastically decreases travel time and risk as well. Since early pioneering, the system has evolved slightly to become less cholera-plagued and the survival rate has increased.
Over this time the more tradition wagon trails have become more weathered and the towns set up along the way provide a safer trip than that of the original pioneers. In support of westward expansion, the federal government has sponsored the building of the National Road. Also referred to as the Cumberland Road, it begins in Cumberland, Maryland and will extend into Illinois. President James K. Polk was an adamant expansionist, as is obvious from his support of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. His fellow Democrats ogle California as well as all Southern slave state representatives. These men look to the west as an opportunity to add more slave states to the Union. Antislavery Whigs opposed the cession because they view the war as unnecessary.
ACQUIRING GOLDEN CALIFORNIA: The War with Mexico
Already angered by America’s successful cession of Texas, the Mexican government has repeatedly refused to sell California to the United States peacefully. In 1844, the majority elected James K. Polk knowing that he desired California and under his leadership it came to our knowledge that Britain was eyeing the land in strict violation of the Monroe Doctrine. John Slidell was previously dispatched to propose the transaction of up to $25 million for California and the areas to the east; the hubris of the Mexicans would not permit even the hearing of said generous offer.
This was very insulting and especially bold from a weak, Civil War-ridden country that is $3.25 million indebted to America for claims against her citizens. On January 13th, 1846 President Polk commanded General Zachary Taylor to lead 4,000 soldiers to the Rio Grande to prepare for any violence the Mexicans may attempt t inflict on United States citizens. The Rio Grande and the Nueces River along with the Mexicans were stationed also outline the disputed boundaries of Texas. Although an immediate clash was expected, news did not reach Washington, D.C. of one until later the very day Polk spoke with this cabinet about requesting Congress to declare war. He founded his idea in two stipulations: the claims left unpaid by Mexico and the staunch rejection of Slidell. Two unnamed cabinet members told the president that they would support him more strongly if the Mexican forces were to attack first. The message was delivered that night reporting a skirmish in which unprovoked Mexican forces cross the no-man’s-land and attacked General Taylor’s company. Over fifteen brave soldiers were wounded or killed on that day. (April 25th, 1946) America delved into the war.
Although American forces made multiple military missteps including allowing dethroned dictator Santa Anna back into Mexico, the Mexican War was technically a victory. Generals Taylor and Scott both won major battles at Buena Vista and Mexico City respectively. Along with General Scott’s troops Polk sent the Chief Clerk of the Department of State Nicholas Trist who immediately signed an armistice with Santa Anna for $10,000. Trist reaffirmed his worth with the negotiation of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo effectively terminating the war. The legislation, signed February 2nd, 1948, also confirmed Texas as American, gave the land from Texas to Oregon to U.S. As long as the deferral government assumed claims against them and paid $15 million.
The Mexican Cession has increased the United States size by 1/3 and with that additional mass comes the question of slavery status. The Wilmot Proviso, announced two ears ago, mandates outlawing slavery in the new territory and has passed twice thus far in the House, but not yet the Senate. Tensions are boiling and seem to be accumulating along North-South borderline increasingly often. So what will be done for the new land? There are no cotton plantations in California, would there be any reason for slavery? Even Senator Calhoun was skeptical about acquiring Mexican territory, “Mexico is to us the forbidden fruit… the penalty of eating it would be to subject our institutions to political death.”
Cited Sources:
Don't Know Much About History: Everything You Need to Know About American History But Never Learned
by Kenneth C. Davis
The American Pageant by Thomas A. Bailey, David M. Kennedy, Lizabeth Cohen
3 comments:
Alejandra Hand Washington Post International Affairs Reporter
Delegation: Rancocas Valley Examining Westward Expansion
Go West!
As you may have heard, the U.S. is going west! Slowly but surely we are being moved farther and farther west as we explore new land. There are millions of acres of land just waiting to be distributed. The federal government is giving it away like candy. But of course there is a small catch- you must work the land for as long as you own it. For some this may not be a problem, but for those of us factory workers, this mission may be impossible. Now to every mission there are obstacles you must overcome to reach the glorious goal. Getting out there is a one major obstacle. Recently, the U.S. has begun to build the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads. These will eventually make it remarkably faster to travel and move to the west. When both these railroads are finished, they will be the first transcontinental railroads.
Some obstacles that the United States has been facing are stopping thousands of people from traveling to the west. The west in itself has a very different style of living than the east. Settlers have been complaining about the heat, blizzards, and sunstrokes that they were just not use to. Some who have already settled in the land are dealing with more disastrous problems. Runaway horses, stampeded cattle, and snakes are just a few of the new hurdles that the settlers are trying to jump over.
All of these settlers would not be wasting their time though if they were not trying to reach the gold. This attraction is probably the most appealing one. Everyone loves gold, especially free gold that they get themselves. Also, the west is a nice place to start over, relax, and enjoy life. You have peace and quiet all of the time because it is very scarcely populated. These are the things that attract people to travel westward.
So do the pros outweigh the cons? Or is America going to change its mind and just stay on the east coast? I guess only time will tell.
Olivia, I was going to just send one works cited sheet with all of my sources on it. Is that ok? Or would you like me to re-post this one with the correct sources cited on the bottom?
-Alejandra
aleha412@yahoo.com
The 21st of July, 1848
Sitting on the Balcony
Two days ago marked the commencement of the first Women’s Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls, New York. This convention was held so that for the first time women’s rights could be discussed freely. The convention lasted two days, in which an entire declaration was written. About 300 people attended this small convention, 40 of which were men. Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were the American abolitionists that helped plan and run the conference. During the convention they discussed the social, civil and religious condition and rights of women. It was a chance for men and women to discuss and try to change the way America views women. The declaration that was composed during these two days was mocked after the Declaration of Independence and was named the Declaration of Sentiments.
The declaration discussed the oppression that women feel against them in today’s age. It obviously also named several grievances that women and men are feeling. This is closely related to how the colonists wrote the Declaration of Independence. In the list of grievances, the document stated the limitations that they felt are really affecting women’s legal rights. Some of these limitations were that women can’t participate in the creation of laws but yet have to obey them; they have to pay property tax but can’t own their property legally; anything a woman owns, whether it be property or money, legally belongs to her husband; and, of course the obvious big one, the law against women being able to vote.
Although this conference was held to discuss women’s rights, the women were forced to sit in the balcony which was behind the conference. This balcony was screened and the women were only allowed to listen to the conference, which obviously infuriated the women of the conference. In the end though, after all of the time and effort put in by everyone, nothing was actually accomplished by this conference and the Declaration of Sentiments means nothing.
-Alejandra Hand
The 26th of May, 1848
The U.S. Wins
Yesterday finally concluded the end of the war that America has been fighting for almost two years now. As we know, the war commenced on April 25, 1846 when Mexico attacked the southern boarder of Texas where Captain Seth B. Thornton was commanding his troops. President Polk was not even aware of the ambush until May 9th. By May 11th, the message of the attack finally reached Congress. On May 13th, the U.S. Congress voted to declare war on Mexico. During this few week gap, two other attacks had been made across the river. Mexico had planned to use their immense army, which was five times larger than the U.S.’s, to defeat us, but no one can beat the U.S.
The war started when the U.S. gained control of Texas, which had already been an independent republic for ten years. This infuriated the Mexicans, who still felt that this land belonged to them. A few days after the fighting began the U.S. moved Zachary Taylor’s troops to the Gulf of Mexico where many of the battles took place. Following these attacks, the U.S. decided to station troops in New Mexico and California, to continue fighting the Mexican’s.
Now, two years later, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo has finally been ratified. It was reluctantly signed on March 10 by the U.S. Senate. Mexico is now starting to depart from New Mexico, California, and Texas. In the treaty, Mexico recognized the Rio Grande as the border between Mexico and the U.S. The U.S. now has to pay Mexico $15 million dollars for the extension of the land to the river. The protection of property and the civil rights of Mexicans living with in the new U.S. boundaries are also stated in the treaty. It is up to the U.S. to protect and control the new boundaries. But in the end, the U.S. got the land that they wanted and we are now bigger as a nation.
- Alejandra Hand
http://www.lone-star.net/mall/texasinfo/mexicow.htm, Lone Star Internet, 1/1/08
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/guadalupe-hidalgo/, The National Archives, Tom Gray
http://www.ericdigests.org/2002-1/women.html, Eric Digest, Elizabeth R. Osborn, 2004
http://www.allsands.com/history/events/senecafallswom_rfs_gn.htm, All Sands
http://www.americanwest.com/pages/wexpansi.htm
http://cybersleuth-kids.com/sleuth/History/US_History/Westward_Expansion/index.htm, CyberSleuth Kids, 2006
http://www.sparknotes.com/history/american/westwardexpansion/section12.rhtml
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