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Student Reading 12.5: Slavery’s Role in the West (1797-1848)
(This image is a reproduction of a map of the United States created in 1820 by cartographer John Melish
(1771-1822). Courtesy of Ohio Pix.)
To many nineteenth-century Americans, the expansion of the westward
sections of the United States was an exciting time. Westward expansion would
mean freedom: freedom to own land, to establish homesteads, and to start new
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Activity 12.5: Westward Expansion and the Role of Slavery
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businesses. However, to many the idea of slavery possibly spreading to western
territories created fear and controversy. The North and the South had grown
further apart after the Constitution was drafted in 1787. The northern and
southern parts of the United States
were beginning to show major
differences in their ideas about the
economy, ideology, and society, so
much so, that the Federal
Government was concerned that a
civil war might break out. In order
to prevent a civil war between the
North and the South, the Federal
Government temporarily resolved
(Portrait of Thomas Jefferson. Courtesy of Ohio Pix.)
the issue of slavery with formal compromises.
In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson purchased the territory of Louisiana
from the French government for $15 million. This was called the Louisiana
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Activity 12.5: Westward Expansion and the Role of Slavery
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Purchase. The Louisiana Purchase stretched from the Mississippi River to the
Rocky Mountains and from Canada to New Orleans. This land purchase doubled
the size of the United States. President Jefferson believed that westward
expansion was the key to America becoming a healthy and prosperous nation.
As more and more settlers headed west of the Appalachian Mountains, the
question of whether or not slavery would be allowed in the new territories was
on almost everyone’s mind. In 1820, the Missouri Compromise attempted to
resolve this debate. The Missouri Compromise added Missouri as a slave state
and Maine as a free state. The compromise also drew an imaginary line at 36
degrees, 30 minutes north latitude, dividing the new Louisiana Territory into two
areas, one north and one south. All of the Louisiana Territory north of this line
would be free territory, meaning any territories that later became states would be
considered free states.
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Activity 12.5: Westward Expansion and the Role of Slavery
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In the 1820s, thousands of Americans rushed to settle lands in Texas. Land
in Texas was very inexpensive and sometimes even free. The Mexican
government offered land to American in return for settlement in Texas. Because
most of these settlers came from southern states, many brought their slaves with
them. By 1830, more than 20,000 Americans, including 1,000 slaves, lived in what
is now Texas. Within 10 years, these American immigrants outnumbered the
(A map showing the major Underground Railroad routes in the United States along with slave and free states.
Courtesy of the Ohio History Connection.)
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Activity 12.5: Westward Expansion and the Role of Slavery
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Mexicans living in Texas. As a result, Mexico put a stop to American immigration.
This angered the Americans living in Texas. They fought the Mexican Army to win
their independence.
Later, in 1845, Texas became the 28th state. The United States acquired
land, including the present-day state of Texas, parts of New Mexico, Kansas,
Colorado, and Wyoming. The border between Texas and Mexico was always in
question, which led to a war between the United States and Mexico. President
James K. Polk declared war on Mexico, a very unpopular decision according to
citizens of northern states. They believed President Polk was seeking expansion of
the United States as a way to expand slavery. At the time, the majority of slaves
living in Texas had came with their owners from other states and were used
primarily as slave labor in the large cotton fields. The Mexican-American War
lasted from 1846-1848. At the end of the war, the United States paid Mexico $15
million dollars for the land it received which is present day California, Nevada,
Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and New Mexico. In 1854, more land was
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Activity 12.5: Westward Expansion and the Role of Slavery
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acquired for the price of $10 million dollars and included small portions of New
Mexico and Arizona.
Westward expansion was in full swing with more and more settlers heading
out west each day. The issue of slavery seemed to be up in the air, and the
American government would need to act quickly before chaos wreaked havoc on
our nation.
(A large group of slaves standing in front of buildings on Smith’s
Plantation, Beaufort, South Carolina. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.)
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Activity 12.5: Westward Expansion and the Role of Slavery
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Reading Comprehension Questions
1. The Louisiana Purchase
a. Tripled the size of the United States
b. Allowed slavery in all states
c. Doubled the size of the United States
d. Ended all slavery in the United States
2. Many people believed President Polk was trying to expand the U.S. as a way to
expand ___________________________________.
3. The Louisiana Purchase stretched from the Mississippi River to the
_______________________________ and from Canada to
________________________.
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Activity 12.5: Westward Expansion and the Role of Slavery
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4. The majority of slaves came into Texas
a. Through the slave trade
b. With their owners from other states
c. From Mexico
d. From northern states such as Ohio and Pennsylvania
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Activity 12.5: Westward Expansion and the Role of Slavery