Unit 6 Introduction
Westward Expansion and the Crisis of the 1850s
Unit 6 begins by looking at the western expansion of the US and the conflicts therein. We will look at Manifest Destiny, the belief that it was the country's clear fate to claim land all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Led by President James Polk, the United States added new territory via diplomacy and via war. The war, fought against Mexico for the vast Mexican states of Alta California and Nuevo Mexico, ended in a decisive American victory and the realization of western expansion.
But the war with Mexico had a second outcome that introduced an urgent new question to national politics: would slavery be allowed in the new lands? Following the war's end in 1848 and throughout the 1850s, the United States lurched from crisis to crisis as each attempt to resolve that question not only failed but made things worse as tensions between pro- and anti-slavery sides climbed. The failure of the nation's political system to resolve that question about expanding (or restricting) slavery eventually led to war in 1861.
A note on something different this unit: there is no discussion this time.... but the Historic Fiction Review Essay is due on November 7. Between that and the quiz, Unit 6 is not a free unit.
***Historic Fiction Review Essay***
The Historic Fiction Review Essay is DUE during this Unit! All essays must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Sunday, November 7. Late penalty criteria applies to this essay. Remember, it is worth 10% of your final grade. I hope you've all at least started on it by now. Click here to access the assignment page for the essay. You will submit your essay via that page. If you have questions or concerns, reach out to me ASAP.
***Now back to our regularly scheduled Unit 6 content***
Unit 6 Overview
-Course Materials
In order to earn a high quiz score, please read the following textbook chapters. Once you've completed the readings, take the Unit 6 Quiz.
Read:
-Assessments
After you've completed the readings, take the Unit 6 quiz.
Quiz:
The Unit 6 Quiz is 20 questions and worth 20 points. Complete the Unit 6 quiz by 11:59 pm on 11/14. Click here to access the Unit 6 Quiz.