America on the WORLD STAGE [APUSH Review Unit 4 Topic 4] Period 4—1800-1848

Introduction to U.S. Territorial Expansion00:00:00

This video will explore how the U.S. government aimed to acquire more territory and increase its influence in the Western Hemisphere, focusing on American foreign policy development.

Settling Northern Borders: The Treaty of Ghent and Canadian Boundary00:00:23

Following the War of 1812, the Treaty of Ghent in 1814 left many issues unresolved, including those related to Canada. James Monroe, becoming president in 1817, sent John Quincy Adams to negotiate a treaty that established the U.S.-Canada border along the 49th parallel and initiated a joint U.S.-British occupation of the Oregon Territory for ten years.

Acquiring Florida: The Adams-Onis Treaty00:00:58

Spain's struggles to govern Florida led to border raids into U.S. territory by Seminole Indians and runaway slaves. President Monroe sent General Andrew Jackson to stop these incursions, with strict orders not to engage Spanish forces. However, Jackson attacked Spanish forts and executed individuals, which enraged Britain and Spain but ultimately led Spain to sell Florida to the U.S. The Adams-Onis Treaty in 1819 formalized this sale and defined the western border between U.S. and Spanish territories.

Establishing the Monroe Doctrine00:02:21

After observing newly independent nations in Latin America, President Monroe recognized their independence and, in 1823, articulated the Monroe Doctrine. This doctrine declared the Western Hemisphere off-limits to further European colonization and interference, asserting U.S. authority in the region.

Trade as a Driving Force for Expansion00:03:27

Beyond power, trade was a significant motivator for U.S. expansion. By the late 1820s, thriving trade relationships with Mexico and China expanded, creating new markets for American goods. This increased demand foreshadowed the Market Revolution and sparked interest in acquiring Pacific Islands like Hawaii and Samoa, though these acquisitions would occur later.