America's Expansion in the 1800s

America was growing rapidly from 1800-1850, with the Louisiana Purchase and Mexican cessions. These expansions had a large impact on national unity. The question of slavery in new territories caused national disunity; however as the nation expanded in areas not suitable for slavery, unity was much stronger. The Louisiana Purchase, of 1803, had a positive effect on national unity. Acquiring this land was very important, because with the land came New Orleans and thus the mouth …

…effect on national unity. The North wanted to keep slavery contained where it was, not let it expand further, whereas, the South wanted to continue slaver throughout America. And this division disunited the nation. Bibliography: Garraty, John. "Louisiana Purchase." The American Nation. Ed. Bruce Borland. New York: HarperCollins College, 1979. Garraty, John. "Manifest Destiny." The American Nation. Ed. Bruce Borland. New York: HarperCollins College, 1979. McPherson, James M. Battle Cry of Freedom. New York: Oxford University Press, 1988.