Quest for Empire

From the Beginning

Essential Question

What were the major causes and effects of various expansionary times in U.S. history - i.e., territorially, economically and or politically? – *documents: Greenville Treaty, Thomas

Jefferson Letter to John Breckenridge,August 12, 1803

Florida State Standards

BENCHMARKBENCHMARK SS.8.A.4.1: Examine the causes, course, and consequences of United

States westward expansion and its growing diplomatic assertiveness (War of 1812, Convention of 1818, Adams-Onis Treaty, Missouri Compromise, Monroe Doctrine, Trail of Tears, Texas annexation, Manifest Destiny, Oregon Territory, Mexican American War/Mexican Cession, California Gold Rush, Compromise of 1850, Kansas-Nebraska Act, Gadsden Purchase »

Related access pointsRelated access points SS.8.A.4.In.a: Identify major events and consequences of America’s

westward expansion, such as the War of 1812, the acquisition of Florida, the Trail of Tears, and the California Gold Rush. Supported »

SS.8.A.4.Su.a: Recognize major events and consequences of America’s westward expansion, such as the acquisition of Florida, the Trail of Tears, and the California Gold Rush. Participatory »

SS.8.A.4.Pa.a: Recognize a consequence of America’s westward expansion

The Most Powerful Politicians of the 1790s

George Washington Alexander Hamilton Thomas Jefferson Aaron Burr

What were the Founders’ views of conquest, expansion, and colonization?

What did Americans think of:– Social Expansion– Political Expansion– Economic Expansion– Environmental (or territorial) Expansion– Cultural Expansion

Throughout America’s History

What were the Founders’ views of conquest, expansion, and colonization?

What did Americans think of:– Social Expansion– Political Expansion– Economic Expansion– Environmental (or territorial) Expansion– Cultural Expansion

Throughout America’s History:1795, 1803, 1849, 1865, 1900, 1920, 1945, 1990, 2005

George Washington

•Surveying Ohio Valley•George Rogers Clark

•Illinois County, Virginia

•Ohio Country•Washington’s Holdings

•Northwest Ordinance•Jay’s Treaty•Whiskey Rebellion•Treaty of Greenville

Alexander Hamilton

President John Adams forms an army of 25,000 men to fight the French.

George Washington is named Commander of the Army

He agrees only if Hamilton can lead the army in the field.

The French threat dissipates. Hamilton looks to march into the

Louisiana Territory and take all of Texas and even all of Mexico.

Thomas Jefferson

Wanted the Mississippi Valley as early as 1780s

Republican Empire Louisiana Lewis and Clark Florida and Texas

Aaron Burr

Planned to lead an army

into Texas and Mexico

and set up a new nation

under his leadership

American Empire

There was no real opposition to the idea that the United States would expand from the Atlantic to the Pacific.– Any real opposition was political from the

federalists in New England

European powers should have no place in the Americas.

The Revolution should be spread.

Treaty of Greenville

Author- Who was the person or persons writing the document?

Reason- Why did he, she, or they write it? What was its purpose?

Time- When was the Document written? IImmediate effects- What happened as a direct result

of this document? Subsequent effects- What later events could claim

the document as a cause or inspiration? To whom- Who was the intended audience? (Also,

what audiences listened to it since?)

Thomas Jefferson Letter to John Breckenridge, August 12, 1803

MAKE Social aspects of: Political aspects of: Economic aspects of: Environmental (Geographic) aspects of: Cultural aspects of: History