US History Curriculum

Answer key
1. They were pushed west
2. “...against Americans…
3. C
4. Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa
5. Indian alliance
6. Tippecanoe
7. Thames
8. B

The Expanding Republic and the War of 1812

called forth a national effort that helped
Americans from distinct regions pull closer
together. The war years also led to the final
disintegration of the Federalists, whose
strength in New England, which, to many,
indicated a regional loyalty in conflict with
national sentiments given new importance
by the war.

After the American forces were beaten at At the start of the 19th century, much of North
Frenchtown, able-bodied prisoners were led away by America had yet to become a part of the United

British troops; the American wounded were left States.
under the charge of the First Nations warriors. That
night, between 30 and 60 of the American wounded The United States developed in a more
were executed in what was called "The River Raisin distinctly American fashion after the War of
1812. The years of the early republic, from
Massacre." the end of the Revolutionary war in 1783 to
the end of what is sometimes called the
Expansion. Battles with Indian nations. The Second War for American Independence in
War of 1812. Welcome to America under 1815, had itself been a period of enormous
Republican rule at the onset of the 19th change that included dramatic political
century. innovations of state and federal constitutions
as well as the surge of western settlement.
The United States underwent dramatic
changes during the period of Democratic- America was growing up.
Republican (also called Jeffersonian
Republican, or simply Republican) political
leadership in the first decades of the 19th
century. The republic's expansion to the
west and renewed military conflict with
Indian nations and Great Britain each posed
a fundamental challenge to the fragile new
republic. All three of these factors played a
role in the coming of the War of 1812.

Although the war itself had no decisive
outcome, it did serve as a turning point in
the history of the young republic. The
United States survived a second war with its
former colonial ruler and in the process

1. What were the three key factors leading to War of 1812?
A

B

C

2. Which of these do you think would have been the greatest challenge to the country?

3. Who won the War of 1812? d. Neither side
a. USA b. England c. France

4. True or False: The War of 1812 was a turning point in US history.
Underline the evidence that supports this.

5. Why does war sometimes pull a nation closer together?

6. The War led to the end of what political party?

7. In one word, summarize the US from the Revolution through the War of 1812.

Answer Key
1. Republican leadership, wars with Indians and war with British
2. Various
3. D
4. True, “The United States survived…
5. Common goals, enemy, etc
6. Federalists
7. Various; unity, growth, maturity, etc

The Importance of the West

Sculpture by Rusty Talbot Conestoga wagons, most commonly found during a 100-year-
The presence of Sacajawea and her baby span starting in 1750, carried everything from flour to furs,
helped the Corps of Discovery prove and became the symbol of settlers' journeys to the western
during potentially hostile encounters with frontier.
Native Americans that they were not a
war party. Western migration had become central to the
American way of life and as much as two-thirds of
Land. Lots of land. all western families moved every decade.
Interestingly, Cincinnati's most important trade
The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 connection was not with relatively nearby (but
intensified American migration to upriver) Pittsburgh, but instead lay 1500 miles south
the west that was already well along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers at the great
underway. Anglo-American port of New Orleans. The most efficient route to
settlement in the 18th century had largely been market remained along waterways and access to
confined to the eastern seaboard. It made its boldest New Orleans remained crucial for the western
inroads where rivers allowed easy internal economy and its settlement.
transportation. As a result the chief population
centers of early North America were clustered on This rapid population growth and geographic
the coast or along its major inland waterways. expansion caused a great deal of conflict. Native
Americans in the west resisted American intrusion
In 1790 the fast-growing population of the United and fought renewed wars in the early 19th century.
States was 3.9 million, but only 5% of Americans Furthermore, the expansion of plantation slavery
lived west of the Appalachian Mountains that run beyond the coastal southeast meant that huge
from Maine to Georgia. By 1820, however, the total numbers of slaves were forcibly moved to new
U.S. population had already reached 9.6 million and territories. In spite of these enormous human costs,
fully 25 percent of them lived west of the the overwhelming majority of white Americans saw
Appalachians in nine new states and three western expansion as a major opportunity. To them,
territories. access to western land offered the promise of
independence and prosperity to anyone willing to
Cincinnati, in present-day southwest Ohio, provides meet the hardships of frontier life.
a good example of the speed of western expansion
during the early republic. Founded in 1788 as a fort
to repel Shawnee and Miami Indian attacks, it
served a chiefly military purpose until the major
Indian defeat at Fallen Timbers in 1794. Soon
thereafter, however, its location 450 miles
downriver from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, made it a
strategic trade location for agricultural products
from newly settled farm lands. Although its
population was a modest 750 in 1800, by 1810 that
figure had tripled and vastly larger numbers passed
through Cincinnati on their way to settle the "Old
Northwest" of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.

U.S. Geological Survey
By 1820, the United States had more than doubled in area to

become one of the largest nations in the world.

Most politicians of the era believed that the health 1. Did westward expansion begin before or after 1803?
of the republic depended upon providing affordable Why?
land to ordinary white Americans. Among
Jeffersonian Republicans most popular policies was 2. By 1820 about how many Americans lived west of the
an expansionist agenda that encouraged western Appalachian Mountains?
development. This played an important part in
cementing the Democratic - Republican Party’s a. 3.9 million b. 5% c. 9.6 million d. 2.5 million
strength in the south and west.
3. What is one thing that made Cincinnati grow quickly?
Even among white settlers who benefited most from
western migration, the expansion of the nation a. River access for trade b. Indian settlements
caused major alterations in American life. For
instance, getting crops to market required improved c. Many farms d. Many forts
transportation. States responded by giving charters
to private companies to build roads (called 4. What city was Cincinnati’s most important trade city?
turnpikes since they charged a fee), bridges, canals,
or to operate ferry services. The state gave these 5. What were two conflicts that arose because of rapid
companies special legal privileges because they population growth?
provided a service that could benefit a wide
segment of the population. a.

b.

The Pennsylvania turnpike started out as a 62-mile long log- 6. What did many people feel was the key to a “healthy
paved road in the 1790s. The establishment of roads and republic”?
canals, and later, railroads, was a critical factor in the
settlement of the West. 7. How did western expansion and farming change
transportation?
Nevertheless, many people opposed these special
benefits as contradicting republican notions of equal 8. Do you think that the special benefits and privileges
opportunity for all. These new transportation given to construction companies were fair? Why?
projects reshaped the American landscape, but the
larger economic promise for most of the new
western lands lay in the massive inland rivers of the
Ohio, Tennessee, and Mississippi, all of which
ultimately flowed south to New Orleans.

Long before newspaper editors such as John Soule
and Horace Greeley were urging readers to "Go
West, young man," Americans were doing exactly
that.

~

~~
~~

Answer Key:
1. After, no one explored it yet
2. D
3. A
4. New Orleans
5. Trouble with Natives, expansion of slavery
6. Cheap land
7. The need to get food and supplies from east to
west faster pushed for better transportation
8. Various

The Second War for American Independence

Hampshire, Daniel Webster, actually discouraged
enlistment in the U.S. army.

This engraving, The Taking of the City of Washington in Fort McHenry is considered the "Home of the National
America, illustrates British forces storming Washington D.C. Anthem" because it was here, during a battle in the War of
in 1814 and burning several significant structures including 1812, that Francis Scott Key was inspired to write his famous

the White House and the Library of Congress. poem.

In the War of 1812 the United States once again British military dominance was even clearer in the
fought against the British and their Indian allies. Atlantic and this naval superiority allowed it to
Some historians see the conflict as a Second War deliver a shaming blow to the fragile United States
for American Independence. in the summer of 1814. With Napoleon's French
forces failing in Europe, Britain committed more of
Furthermore, the three-year war marks a traditional its resources to the American war and in August
boundary between the early republic and early sailed up the Potomac River to occupy Washington
national periods. The former period had strong ties D.C. and burn the White House. On the edge of
to the more hierarchical colonial world of the 18th national bankruptcy and with the capital largely in
century, while post-war developments would move ashes, total American disaster was averted when the
in dynamic new directions that contributed to a British failed to capture Ft. McHenry that protected
more autonomous American society and culture. nearby Baltimore.
Although the War of 1812 serves as an important
turning point in the development of an independent Watching the failed attack on Ft. McHenry as a
United States, the war itself was mostly a political prisoner of the British, Francis Scott Key wrote a
and military disaster for the country. poem later called "The Star-Spangled Banner"
which was set to the tune of an English drinking
The U.S. Congress was far from unanimous in its song. It became the official national anthem of the
declaration of war. America's initial invasion of United States of America in 1931.
Canada (then ruled by England) in the summer of
1812 was repulsed by Tecumseh and the British. The most critical moment of the War of 1812,
Although Tecumseh would be killed in battle the however, may not have been a battle, but rather a
following fall, the U.S. was unable to mount a political meeting called by the Massachusetts
major invasion of Canada because of significant legislature. Beginning in December 1814, 26
domestic discord over war policy. Most Federalists representing New England states met at
importantly, the governors of most New England the Hartford Convention to discuss how to reverse
states refused to allow their state militias to join a the decline of their party and the region. Although
campaign beyond state boundaries. Similarly, a
promising young Congressman from New

manufacturing was booming and contraband trade 1. Who did the US fight in the War of 1812?
brought riches to the region, "Mr. Madison's War"
and its expenses proved hard to swallow for New 2. The War of 1812 was a turning point from colonial-
Englanders.
type America and
Holding this meeting during the war was deeply
controversial. Although more moderate leaders a. Independent America b. Dependent America
voted down extremists who called for New England
to secede from the United States, most Republicans c. Pro-French America d. None of these
believed that the Hartford Convention was an act of
treason. 3. True or False: US Congress largely supported the War
of 1812.
State militia in New England refused to go into national
service during the War of 1812. Highlight the evidence that supports this.

Federalist New England's opposition to national 4. What did the New England states do to support the
policies had been demonstrated in numerous ways war?
from circumventing trade restrictions as early as
1807, to voting against the initial declaration of war a. Money and funds b. Led the charge
in 1812, refusing to contribute state militia to the
national army, and now its representatives were c. Supplied navy d. Not much really
moving on a dangerous course of semi-autonomy
during war time. 5. What happened in Europe in 1814 that allowed the
British to focus on the US?
If a peace treaty ending the War of 1812 had not
been signed while the Hartford Convention was still 6. During the war, what happened to Washington DC?
meeting, New England may have seriously debated
seceding from the Union. 7. In addition to an important victory, what other
historical thing happened at Ft. McHenry?

8. People from New England tended to support which
political party?

9. Some leaders in New England were thinking about
taking what action?

a. Attacking France b. Stop manufacturing

c. Breaking away d. Ending the war

Answer key
1. British and Native allies
2. A
3. False, “Congress was far…
4. D
5. Defeated Napoleon
6. British burned it
7. Star Spangled Banner written
8. Federalists
9. C

The Bo

WHIP 2014-

oer War

miss palmer

The Bo

The South African War o
more commonly known, the
Canada’s first major military

oer War

of 1899-1902 or, as it is
e Boer War, occasioned
y expedition abroad.

Boer Controlled Lands
The British Controlled Lands



Backgr

• The South African War had its origin
• Conflict over land and resources betw

the region’s first Dutch settlers, know
• Centred in the more northerly indepe

State and the Transvaal.
• The discovery of gold in the Transvaa

large fortune-seeking group called uitl

of British origin.
• Doubtful of their loyalty, the Transva

political rights.

round

ns in more than sixty years previously
ween the British and the descendants of
wn as Boers
endent republics of the Orange Free
al in 1886 resulted in the influx of a

landers (foreigners) who were mostly

aal government refused to grant them

Backgr

• Matters came to a head in 1899
when Britain began reinforcing
its military garrison in South
Africa.

• On 9 October, the Transvaal
government issued an
ultimatum demanding that this
reinforcement cease. London
did not reply, and on 11
October the Boers declared
war.

round

• After the Boers declared
Wilfrid Laurier had polit
reservations about Canad
especially concerned abo
emanating from Quebec.

d war, Prime Minister Sir
tical and constitutional
dian involvement, and was
out the opposition
.





"Whilst I cannot admi
take part in all the wa

neither am I prepar
should not take par

it that Canada should
ars of Great Britain,
red to say that she
rt in any war at all."

-Wilfred Laurier





Canada an

•The first Canadian contingent
were on arrival “capable of not
much more than forming ranks
and marching without getting
out of step too often”. They
were nonetheless to fight a bitter
battle against the Boers at
Paardeberg less than three
months later.

nd the War

Pha

•The war can be divided into
three distinct phases:

1. The first lasted from October
1899 to January 1900, and saw
the Boers advance into British
territory and score several
impressive victories.

ases

The Boer War was a serious jo
the outbreak of the war British
the use of single shot firearms,
company and battalion officers
order.

olt for the British Army. At
h tactics were appropriate for

fired in volleys controlled by
s; the troops fighting in close

• The second phase of the war
1900 and saw the British laun
through the Orange Free Stat
capital, Pretoria.

• This included many sieges...

r lasted from February to June
nch a counter-offensive, advance
te, and capture the Transvaal’s

Kimb

• Lying in the North West of
Cape Colony on the western
border with the Orange Free
State, Kimberley was the
centre of Cecil Rhodes’ De
Beers diamond mining
empire.

berley

Lord Roberts enters Kimberley after the lifting of the siege

Kimberly



Kimb

• On 14th October 1899 the Boers
and invested Kimberley beginning

• The town was ill-prepared, but the
and effective improvised defence
being taken.

berley

s invaded the northern Cape Colony
g the siege. (Phase 1)
e defenders organized an energetic
that was able to prevent it from

• The main player was Cec
organising the defence of
De Beers company ( of w
manufactured a one-off gu
however the Boers soon c
larger siege gun that terrif
many to take shelter in th

cil Rhodes: instrumental in
the town. Engineers of the

whom Rhodes controlled)
un named Long Cecil,
countered with a much
fied the residents, forcing
he Kimberley Mine.

Cecil Rhodes

This remarkable man, who stood for the future of South Africa as clearly as the Dopper
Boer stood for its past, had, both in features and in character, some traits which may, wi
thout extravagance, be called Napoleonic. _Sir A.C. Doyle

• 'I am directed to assure you that there is
or any part of the colony either is, or in a
attack. Mr. Schreiner is of opinion that yo
anticipations in the matter entirely withou
remonstrance of the inhabitants when the

• Kimberley was unique, the centre of the
whole world. Its loss would have been a h
enormous encouragement to the Boers.

• The Boers in scattered bands of horseme
blocked the railroad.

• They raided cattle upon the outskirts, bu
the garrison, who, civilian and military, ap

• The defence lay close in rifle pit and redo
came. The perimeter to be defended was
made admirable fortifications, and the to
around it.

no reason for apprehending that Kimberley
any contemplated event will be, in danger of
our fears are groundless and your
ut foundation.' The official reply to the
ey appealed for help.
richest tract of ground for its size in the
heavy blow to the British cause, and an

en were thick around the town, and had

ut made no attempt to rush the defence of
pproached four thousand in number,
oubt waiting for an attack which never
s about eight miles, but the heaps of tailings
own had none of those inconvenient heights

• The conflict at Kimberley
1899. Colonel Baden-Pow
inevitable onset of hostilit
women and children to le

y started on 14 October
well, anticipating the
ties, encouraged all the
eave the town