1. A Difficult PastHow the Americas’ ChangeBy Eric Osterberg 2010 Fall HIST 141 History/Americas Since 1800 71227

2. The Americas in the 19th Century: Latin America’s desire for solidarity was necessary to rid itself from foreign rule and oversight Resistance to foreign rule brought a common goal and cause; peace meant possible division as liberator Simon Bolivar warned “I fear peace more than war” With self-governing states now in place, elites rose to power and there was less stability. The common people were left without influence or control; uprisings were frequent and created significant division Independent Mexico under more liberal rule embraced a change through the “La Reforma” movement which brought about more opportunities for land ownership and self-governance Elites and leaders alike decided that more equality and human rights were necessary to prevent further uprisings and strife

3. The Americas in the 19th Century: After its recent victory from foreign rule, local self governance amongst the states was proving difficult . Slavery , state rights, and the “all men are created equal” clause in the Declaration of Independence was becoming a most contentious matter A truly “United” States was now possible after a bloody Civil War that defined one of America’s core values: personal freedom The Louisiana Purchase facilitated westward expansion, this, however, wasn’t without considerable strife with the indigenous people of the land Canada also experienced turmoil and cultural diversity the seemed destined to cause separation, strife, and possibly a call to arms between the British and French Canadians Ongoing threats from US expansion from the south kept opposing sides polarized for a common cause maintaining the country’s unity Canada, through a trans-continental railroad, continued to expand its territories and provided increased autonomy and self-identity

4. The Little Ice Age 14th – 19th Century and millions perish due to the cold weather all brought about by a several centigrade drop in global temperatures Famines, storms, and wide placed destruction followed the medieval warm period where society was flourishing in the 1300’s People, not aware of a cause to the change in weather feared evil and witchcraft to be a possible cause Disease, starvation, storms resulted in millions perishing worldwide and completely devastating some societies Significant population shifts were required to survive. Changes in crops/food proved necessary for continued survival. Population shifts, wars and battles lost and won, improved survivability lifestyles resulted because of the weather change. We may be able to predict, prepare, and survive a dramatic weather change better in the future, but we certainly won’t be able to prevent it

5. Frontiers of the Americas’ In 1803, even 4 cents an acre is a great price considering the premium land and opening up of the west A multi-faceted array of events led to the purchase which was originally just New Orleans Haitian rebellion proves that the people will always prevail…in this case, it was the Haitian slaves over a dominant French fighting force commissioned by Napoleon The Louisiana Purchase -Jefferson’s greatest achievement…it opened up the West and brought a diverse peoples of all colors together in the now free South The expanding US territory limited governmental control. Diversity grew, with states rights coming into conflict with federal control. This would be a foreshadowing of our country’s Civil War

6. Frontiers of the Americas’ The US, Mexico, England, and Native Americans all challenged for the west The US felt “entitled” to the land and pushed into Tejas, now Texas, Oregon, and California Indian tribes also contested amongst one another for buffalo hunting territory, with the Lakota dominating the heart of the Black Hills region Tejas, thought that by allowing US “squatters” it would keep the US out, but that idea backfired Eventually, Mexico, fearing the worse, decided to eject the US “squatters”, war ensued, (Mexican-American War), the US prevailed and Tejas became the Republic of Texas Attention and population growth shifted further west into Mexican territory, now California. President Polk’s vision of an ever expanding US was coming to fruition The territory was eventually taken by force and became the California Republic. Polk’s US now stretched from Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans’

7. Crossroads of FreedomLiberty & Freedom…..To Each His Own Meaning "PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND UNTO ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOF LEV. XXV X.“ Inscription on the Liberty Bell Quoting President Lincoln: “We all declare for victory, but in using the same word – we do not all mean the same thing” The South, or Confederacy strove to preserve their political rights, freedom, and most importantly, the right to keep slaves “The perfect liberty they strive for is the liberty of making slaves of other people” President Lincoln commenting on the South’s meaning of liberty The Union desired unity of all states and vehemently opposed the separation of the 11 confederate states desiring independence One battle – Antietam, would define and turn the tide of the war in favor of the Union, but the price paid in regards to life would be horrific The Civil War would mark out who we are as a nation today – and make us the leader in regards to democracy and human rights

8. The Human Cost of War The total loss of lives during the Civil War was estimated at 620,000. More than all wars fought from the Revolutionary to the Vietnam War The greatest number of casualties in one day of fighting occurred on September 17th, 1862. Between 6,300 – 6,500 lives lost near Sharpsburg Maryland An official from the US Sanitary Commission remarked “visit a battlefield and see what a victory costs”. Least we forget all the crippled and scared soldiers that suffered for the remainder of their lives The loss of human life was devastating, but other unseen tragedy was the countless widows and orphans as a result of the war It amazes me that Americans’ had the conviction and determination to take up arms and fight each other, resulting in the bloodiest war on American soil in the history of our country

9. The Pendulum of War Countless battles helped buoy or sink the hopes of either side. Momentum gained and lost provided motivation, and/or despair The press had incredible influence on political elites, military leaders, soldiers, and civilians. The written press often lacked accuracy, but never the less carried significant weight and swayed the tides of the war Generals with faulty strategies played a crucial role in many victories and defeats. Miscalculations were common due to poor intelligence, extreme caution or aggression Pivotal battles for either side were the Shiloh, Second Bull Run, Vicksburg, Antietam, and finally Gettysburg that tallied the most casualties @ 51,000 The Emancipation Proclamation identified a higher purpose in the battle and provided a significant positive motive in for the Union cause. It further defined the war and pointed a moral and motivational compass. It polarized people at home and abroad

10. General McClellan No Civil War military leader created so much controversy as General McClellan. A fascinating person who gained considerable notoriety & popularity, despite his overcautious approach to warfare engagement He felt that God had anointed him to single handedly bring victory to the Union. His arrogance and feeling of superiority was countered by his hesitancy to fight and engage Despite his numerous naysayers and critics, justifiably so, he had tremendous support from the troops….he kept morale high and had a certain “charisma” President Lincoln’s frustration with McClellan was most likely due to McClellan’s lack of initiative and his engagement only if he had an “absolute assurance of success” McClellan’s countless missed opportunities were calculated and wise decisions in his opinion, in others eyes, he continued to miss the mark Interestingly enough, McClellan was hesitant to fight for the Emancipation Proclamation calling it an “accursed doctrine as that of servile insurrection” Lincoln, out of frustration wrote McClellan and urged him to pursue and be aggressive in his tactics, but he wouldn’t change and was finally removed from command He left, still popular with the soldiers. A most peculiar general worth plenty of study