Raisa Santiesteban

P.2
11-15-10
DBQ

The issue of territorial expansion sparked a considerable debate from 18001855 and both the supporters and the opponents of this issue shaped federal
government policy. The federalists were against territorial expansion because they
feared that the anti-federalists would control the new territory and that it would
reduce the power of the government, while anti-federalists supported territorial
expansion because they believed that the Indians were inferior peoples and they
had the right to expand their territory and it would improve trade.
Most federalists, like James Elliot, Samuel Thatcher, and William Plumer,
were against territorial expansion (Document A). They believed that because the
constitution did not mention the acquisition of territory, that it was therefore
unconstitutional. They did not want a large standing army like the redcoats, and
they feared that the new territory would be completely anti-federalist. Like the
issue of territorial expansion, the vote to go to war against England was also split.
The northerners didnt want the war because they were benefitting from the nonintercourse agreement, which allowed no goods to be sold to England. However,
the South did want the war because the British were encouraging the Indians to
raid villages and impressment, which was when the British boarded American
ships and kidnapped sailors (Document B). This however resulted in the Treaty of
Gent, and gave our country a national identity with the Star Spangled Banner.
Similarly, they believed that not everyone was capable of comprehending and
enforcing a free government (Document H). They thought that the Indians were
inferior and could not even handle a democracy, so there was no point in territorial
expansion. Finally, they believed that if they gained more territory, the government
would lose its power. The statement, The government itself, which is only the
mode which people have chosen to execute their will, is equally likely to be abused
and perverted before the people can act through it, summarizes the federalist

beliefs (Document I). If people twist the government and the constitution to benefit
them, in the end no one will benefit.
On the other hand, the anti-federalists strongly supported territorial
expansion on the basis that they would gain more supporters in the new territories.
Although they also believed that the Indians were inferior, they believed that
because of that it was their right to take their land. They had tried their best to
convert them and educate them, but no progress was made so they had to be moved
(Document C). This idea eventually led to the Trail of Tears (Document D) which
was the routes of forced Indian removal to reservations. The Indians had no choice,
and many died during the long march. The map of the eagle shown in Document E
represents the Manifest Destiny. This was the belief that America was destined to
span from the east coast to the west coast. The wings of the eagle cover what was
previously Indian Territory, because the Manifest Destiny gave them the
justification to claim it. Some people also believed that territorial expansion would
improve trade. Thomas Hart Benton said that settlements in Oregon would re-open
the North American road to India, and improve Asiatic trade (Document F), and
this also led more people to support territorial expansion. Finally, perhaps the most
influential supporter of territorial expansion, was President Andrew Jackson. He
knew that expanding westward would benefit everyone, and he believed that as
patriots it was their duty to spread the blessings of equal laws, and the light of
the Gospel. (Document G)
In conclusion, both the supporters and opponents of territorial expansion
were very influential to shaping our federal policies. The federalists were against
expansion, and the anti-federalists were for it. In the end however, the urge to
expand westward out-competed the federalists and along with the Manifest Destiny
and the Trail of Tears began the expansion of our nation.