The Complex Life of Charles Maurice De Talleyrand

Charles Maurice de Talleyrand (born February 2, 1754, in Paris, France—died May 17, 1838, in Paris),  was a defrocked French Bishop, diplomat, foreign minister, and politician. Alternately renowned and reviled for his tactical skills of political survival, Talleyrand served at the highest levels of the French government for nearly half a century during the reign of King Louis XVI, the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte, and the reigns of Kings Louis XVIII, and Louis-Philippe. Admired and distrusted in equal measure by those he served, Talleyrand has proven difficult for historians to evaluate. While some tout him as one of the most skilled and proficient diplomats in French history, others paint him as a self-serving traitor, who betrayed the ideals of Napoleon and the French Revolution—liberty, equality, and fraternity. Today, the term â€Å"Talleyrand† is used to refer to the practice of skillfully deceitful diplomacy. Fast Facts: Charles Maurice de Talleyrand Known for: Diplomat, politician, member of the Catholic clergyBorn: February 2, 1754 in Paris, FranceParents: Count Daniel de Talleyrand-Pà ©rigord and Alexandrine de Damas dAntignyDied: May 17, 1838 in Paris, FranceEducation: University of ParisKey Accomplishments and Awards: Foreign minister under four Kings of France, during the French Revolution, and under Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte; played a key role in the restoration of the Bourbon monarchySpouses Name: Catherine Worlà ©eKnown Children: (disputed) Charles Joseph, comte de Flahaut; Adelaide Filleul; Marquise de Souza-Botelho; â€Å"Mysterious Charlotte† Early Life, Education, and Career in the Catholic Clergy Talleyrand was born on February 2, 1754, in Paris, France, to his 20-year-old father, Count Daniel de Talleyrand-Pà ©rigord and his mother, Alexandrine de Damas dAntigny. Though both parents held positions in the court of King Louis XVI, neither earned a steady income. Having walked with a limp since childhood, Talleyrand was excluded from his anticipated career in the military. As an alternative, Talleyrand sought a career in the Catholic clergy, bent on replacing his uncle, Alexandre Angà ©lique de Talleyrand-Pà ©rigord, as the Archbishop of Reims, one of the wealthiest dioceses in France. After studying theology at the Seminary of Saint-Sulpice and the University of Paris until age 21, Talleyrand went on to become an ordained priest in 1779. A year later, he was appointed Agent-General of the Clergy to the French Crown. In 1789, despite being disliked by the King, he was appointed Bishop of Autun. During the French Revolution, Talleyrand largely abandoned the Catholic religion and resigned as a Bishop after being excommunicated by Pope Pius VI in 1791. From France to England to America and Back As the French Revolution progressed the French government took note of Talleyrand’s skills as a negotiator. In 1791, the French foreign minister sent him to London to persuade the British government to remain neutral, rather than joining Austria and several other European monarchies in the looming war against France. After failing twice, he returned to Paris. When the September Massacres broke out in 1792, Talleyrand, now an endangered aristocrat, fled Paris for England without defecting. In December 1792, the French government issued a warrant for his arrest. Finding himself no more popular in England than in France, he was expelled from the country in March 1794 by British Prime Minister William Pitt. Until returning to France in 1796, Talleyrand lived in the war-neutral United States as a house guest of influential American politician Aaron Burr. During his stay in the United States, Talleyrand lobbied the French government to allow him to return. Always the crafty negotiator, he succeeded and returned to France in September 1796. By 1797, Talleyrand, recently persona non grata in France, had been appointed the country’s foreign minister. Immediately after being appointed foreign minister, Talleyrand added to his infamous reputation of placing personal greed above duty by demanding the payment of bribes by American diplomats involved in the XYZ Affair, which escalated into the limited, undeclared Quasi-War with the United States from 1798 to 1799.   Talleyrand and Napoleon: An Opera of Deceit Partly out of gratitude for his assistance in the 1799 coup d’à ©tat that saw him crowned Emperor in 1804, Napoleon made Talleyrand his minister of foreign affairs. In addition, the Pope overturned his excommunication from the Catholic Church. Working to solidify France’s gains in the wars, he brokered peace with Austria in 1801 and with Britain in 1802. When Napoleon moved to continue France’s wars against Austria, Prussia, and Russia in 1805, Talleyrand opposed the decision. Now losing his confidence in the future of Napoleon’s reign, Talleyrand resigned as foreign minister in 1807 but was retained by Napoleon as vice-grand elector of the Empire. Despite his resignation, Talleyrand did not lose Napoleon’s trust. However, the Emperor’s trust was misplaced as Talleyrand went behind his back, secretly negotiating personally profitable peace agreements with Russia and Austria. Having resigned as Napoleon’s foreign minister, Talleyrand abandoned traditional diplomacy and sought peace by accepting bribes from the leaders of Austria and Russia in return for Napoleon’s secret military plans. At the same time, Talleyrand had started plotting with other French politicians on how to best protect their own wealth and status during the struggle for power they knew would erupt after Napoleon’s death. When Napoleon learned of these plots, he declared them treasonous. Though he still refused to discharge Talleyrand, Napoleon famously chastised him, saying he would â€Å"break him like a glass, but it’s not worth the trouble.† As France’s vice-grand elector, Talleyrand continued to be at odds with Napoleon, first opposing the Emperor’s harsh treatment of the Austrian people after the end of the War of the Fifth Coalition in 1809, and criticizing the French invasion of Russia in 1812. Though he was invited to return to his old office as foreign minister in 1813, Talleyrand refused, sensing that Napoleon was quickly losing the support of the people and the rest of the government. Despite what had become his utter hatred for Napoleon, Talleyrand remained dedicated to a peaceful transition of power. On April 1, 1814 Talleyrand convinced the French Senate to create a provisional government in Paris, with him as president. The next day, he led the French Senate in official deposing Napoleon as Emperor and forcing him into exile the island of Elba. On April 11, 1814, the French Senate, in approving the Treaty of Fontainebleau adopted a new constitution that returned power to the Bourbon monarchy. Talleyrand and the Bourbon Restoration Talleyrand played a key role in the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy. After King Louis XVIII of the House of Bourbon succeeded Napoleon. He served as chief French negotiator at the 1814 Congress of Vienna, securing advantageous peace settlements for France in what was then the most-comprehensive treaty in European history. Later the same year, he represented France in negotiating the Treaty of Paris ending the Napoleonic Wars between France and Great Britain, Austria, Prussia, and Russia.   Representing the aggressor nation, Talleyrand faced a daunting task in negotiating the Treaty of Paris. However, his diplomatic skills were credited for securing terms that were extremely lenient to France. When the peace talks began, only Austria, the United Kingdom, Prussia, and Russia were to be allowed to have decision-making power. France and the smaller European countries were to be allowed only to attend the meetings. However, Talleyrand succeeded in convincing the four powers to allow France and Spain to attend the backroom decision-making meetings. Now a hero to the smaller countries, Talleyrand proceeded to secure agreements under which France was allowed to maintain its pre-war 1792 boundaries without paying further reparations. Not only did he succeed in ensuring that France would not be partitioned by the victorious countries, he greatly enhanced his own image and standing in the French monarchy. Napoleon escaped from exile on Elba and returned to France in March 1815 bent on forcibly retaking power. Though Napoleon was ultimately defeated in the Hundred Days, dying in the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815, Talleyrand’s diplomatic reputation had suffered in the process. Bowing to the wishes of his quickly expanding group of political enemies, he resigned in September 1815. For the next 15 years, Talleyrand publicly portrayed himself as an â€Å"elder statesman,† while continuing to criticize and scheme against King Charles X from the shadows. Upon learning of Napoleon’s death at Waterloo, Talleyrand cynically commented, â€Å"It is not an event, it is a piece of news.† When King Louis-Philippe I, a cousin of King Louis XVI, came to power after the July Revolution of 1830, Talleyrand returned to government service as ambassador to the United Kingdom until 1834. Family Life Well known for using relationships with influential aristocratic women to advance his political position, Talleyrand had several affairs during his life, including a longtime intimate relationship with a married woman who would eventually become his only wife, Catherine Worlà ©e Grand. In 1802, French Emperor Napoleon, concerned that the French people viewed his foreign minister as a notorious womanizer, ordered Talleyrand to marry the now divorced Catherine Worlà ©e. The couple remained together until Catherine’s death in 1834, after which the now 80-year-old Talleyrand lived with the Duchess of Dino, Dorothea von Biron, the divorced wife of his nephew.   The number and names of the children Talleyrand fathered during his life is not clearly established. Though he may have fathered at least four children, none were known to have been legitimate. The four children most widely agreed on by historians include Charles Joseph, Comte de Flahaut; Adelaide Filleul; Marquise de Souza-Botelho; and a girl known only as â€Å"Mysterious Charlotte.† Later Life and Death After permanently retiring from his political career in 1834, Talleyrand, accompanied by the Duchess of Dino, moved to his estate at Valenà §ay. He would spend his final years adding to his voluminous personal library and writing his memoirs. As he neared the end of his life, Talleyrand realized that as an apostate bishop, he would have to rectify his old disputes with the Catholic Church in order to be given an honorable church burial. With the help of his niece, Dorothà ©e, he arranged with the Archbishop de Quà ©len and abbot Dupanloup to sign an official letter in which he would acknowledge his past transgressions and beg for divine forgiveness. Talleyrand would spend the last two months of his life writing and re-writing this letter in which he eloquently disavowed â€Å"the great errors which [in his opinion] had troubled and afflicted the Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church, and in which he himself had had the misfortune to fall.† On May 17, 1838, abbot Dupanloup, having accepted Talleyrand’s letter, came to see the dying man. After hearing his last confession, the priest anointed the back of Talleyrand’s hands, a rite reserved only for ordained bishops. Talleyrand passed away at 3:35 in the afternoon of the same day. State and religious funeral services were held on May 22, and on September 5, Talleyrand was buried in the Notre-Dame Chapel, near his chà ¢teau in Valenà §ay. Did You Know? Today, the term â€Å"Talleyrand† is used to refer to the practice of skillfully deceitful diplomacy. Legacy Talleyrand may be the epitome of a walking contradiction. Clearly morally corrupt, he commonly used deceit as a tactic, demanded bribes from persons with whom he was negotiating, and openly lived with mistresses and courtesans for decades. Politically, many regard him as a traitor because of his support for multiple regimes and leaders, some of which were hostile toward each other. On the other hand, as philosopher Simone Weil contends, some criticism of Talleyrand’s loyalty may be overstated, as while he not only served every regime that ruled France, he also served the â€Å"France behind every regime.† Famous Quotes Traitor, patriot, or both, Talleyrand was an artist with a pallet of words he used skillfully to the benefit of both himself and those he served. Some of his more memorable quotes include: â€Å"Whoever did not live in the years neighboring 1789 does not know what the pleasure of living means.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"It is not an event, it is a piece of news.† (upon learning of Napoleon’s death)â€Å"I am more afraid of an army of one hundred sheep led by a lion than an army of one hundred lions led by a sheep.†And perhaps most self-revealing: â€Å"Man was given speech to disguise his thoughts.† Sources Tully, Mark. Remembering Talleyrand Restorus, May 17, 2016Haine, Scott. â€Å"The History of France (1st ed.).† Greenwood Press. p. 93. ISBN 0-313-30328-2.Palmer, Robert Roswell; Joel Colton (1995). â€Å"A History of the Modern World (8 ed.).† New York: Knopf Doubleday Publishing. ISBN 978-0-67943-253-1. . Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Pà ©rigordNapoleon and EmpireScott, Samuel F. and Rothaus Barry, eds., Historical Dictionary of the French Revolution 1789–1799 (vol. 2 1985)Weil, Simone (2002). â€Å"The Need for Roots: Prelude to a Declaration of Duties Towards Mankind.† Routledge Classics. ISBN 0-415-27102-9.

Utopia Z Essay - 2908 Words

Utopia Z: Recreation nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Besides being able to live comfortable and easily, the people also have a lot of recreation to do, with in Utopia Z. All of the recreation, is located in the recreation dome, which is located between the Construction Plant, and the Hospital Dome. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The Recreation Dome is filled with different activities, such as artificial ski-mountains, a swimming pool, and amusement park, an ice arena, a playground, a football field/track, a bungee jumping station, and a large field for miscellaneous activities. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;One of the biggest attractions in this dome, is the artificial ski- mountains. These mountains are constructed with sturdy†¦show more content†¦This site is equipped with a vacuum capsule, which transports the users to the top of the tower. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Along with all those activities, we have also included a gigantic playing field for whatever activities the citizens can think of. Whether it is Baseball, Frisbee, walking their pets, whatever, this field will serve their needs. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Although the dome has many attractions already, it still has extra space for future additions. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Utopia Z: Agriculture Since Utopia Z, is a fully self-maintained unit, it is able to supply and grow its own food. This is all done in the Agriculture Dome, which is located at the center, shown on the diagram. This dome is especially bigger than all the other domes. Actually, it is precisely 10 times larger than its surrounding domes. A giant growth light is also installed into the dome to provide the crops and animals with artificial sunlight. This light actually provides a better, more concentrated light than the sun can provide on Earth. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The dome is separated into 3 sections, designed to supply Utopia Z with vegetables and livestock of all kinds. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Two of the sections are used to grow plants and vegetables. They are purposely separated into sections, in case, one ofShow MoreRelated Consider Why Visions of the Future are Common in Literature. Make1565 Words   |  7 PagesChrysalids and at Least One Other Text. In this essay I will try to explain why visions of the future are so common in literature. To do this I will make reference to The Chrysalids by John Wyndham, Brother In the Land by Robert Swindell, Z for Zachariah by Robert C. OBrien and also a television series called Futurama, created by Matt Groening. This essay consists of three main parts: an introduction, an explanation on why visions of the future are abundant and a conclusion. ThereRead MoreBeyond The Edges Of Planet Earth1509 Words   |  7 PagesPlanet Z. A world that is travelled to in hopes to revive a once dull and unsatisfying life, Planet Z is an escape. It is an escape from negativity and discomfort that survives in neighboring planets. But how might one get to the point where they truly feel they have reached a fulfilling, happy life? By coming to Planet Z. On Planet Z, you will see, that we offer nothing less than a warm and welcoming community. There are homes, big and small, businesses owned solely by the people of Planet Z, andRead MorePolice Supervision Essay2520 Words   |  11 PagesPOLICE SUPERVISION CASE STUDY (2A) ELIZABETH DIAZ 10/14/2012 BACKGROUND Police Officer Jacob Goulde is a member of the Town of Utopia Police Department. He’s a married father of two. Officer Goulde has had a very good track record in the nine years he’s worked for the Utopia Police Department, but recently he’s been observed making careless mistakes and his behavior is increasingly disturbing to his supervisor, Sergeant Wentworth. During the lastRead MoreTheogony And The Biblical Book Of Genesis, Hesiod And Genesis968 Words   |  4 Pagesin the Biblical book of Genesis reveals certain similarities that I picked up on. Hesiod and Genesis share the same order of events: mankind exists in alongside heavenly beings in utopia where there is just; a woman is introduced into this utopian world; the actions of the woman produces the loss of before said utopia. This pattern is used by both works of literature to better explain the presence of problems such as chaos and turmoil in human existence, and both Hesiod and Genesis credit the firstRead MoreModernism Movement : High And Low Modernism1277 Words   |  6 Pagesfiled but also used as an architecture style. Henry van de Velde, an interior designer, painter, prominent architect, and one of the significant representatives of Art Nouveau in Belgium suggested that â€Å"The forms reflected the function†(W. W. CHEN Z. Z. HE, 2013). When the function is cooperating with the new materials, the advantages of Gropius’ goal in architecture and design had been revealed, â€Å"to be functional, cheap and consistent with mass production.† Le Corbusier (1887 –1965) was a Swiss-FrenchRead MoreCrossed ABCs Book Report 851 Words   |  3 Pagesall-powerful government that has control over all aspects of people’s lives. T is for Tablets. Each Citizen of the Society is given three pills, each for specific uses to â€Å"help† them when they are in need. Two out of three pills are harmful. U is for Utopia. The society that Cassia lives in is supposed to be a society that has been arranged perfectly. V is for Valor. Cassia is a person of valor. This is because she was willing to face danger to search for Ky. W is for Writing. Ky was taught how toRead MoreLove Is An Intense Feeling Of Love Essay2117 Words   |  9 Pagesselfishness and put the needs of others before themselves. The book World War Z by Max Brooks is an example of Agape love, a story of how a crisis brought humanity together to fight and save each other from the horrors of the zombie apocalypse. As this line suggests, â€Å"At a time when everyone was pulling together, helping each other out, working to protect and take care of one another†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Brooks, 149) Although the story World War Z was a fictional book, it is similar in many ways to the wars that have occurredRead MoreSocialization as an Aim of Education - Paper1409 Words   |  6 Pagesexpression. Cultural continuity in its rawest form comes without expectations of assimilation thus allowing individuals to contribute their true selves to society. Delivering education this way, exposes ideas and adds value to community. In a utopia, these aims for education may be perfectly practiced. However, it is not a perfect world and there are, and have been many injustices in the education system. In fact, these aims of education have been, or are being challenged at present. LeonardoRead More The Differences Between Men and Women Essay1297 Words   |  6 Pagesrough, enjoy dirty objects, be daring and roam about carelessly, their toys include sports balls, action figures, and guns. Girls however are anticipated to be polite, passive, neat, subordinate and for the most part, veiled, and play with dolls, â€Å"E-Z Bake Ovens,† easy wash away makeup, and kitchen utensils. After which, the pattern works itself to marriage, the woman has to change her last name to her male counter-part, some times losing her first name as well. Why? This frequently asked questionRead MoreEssay on Plato1158 Words   |  5 PagesHis writings from the Republic form the greatest of his writings along with The Apology. Modern-day people are surprised that Plato didnt love democracy and pushed for Utopia, but Plato had seen democracy at work in Athens and thought it a wretched idea. Bibliography Baggani, Julian and Jeremy Stangroom, eds. Great Thinkers A-Z. London: Continuum, 2004. Guthrie, W.K.C. A History of Greek Philosophy, Vol. IV; Plato: The Man and His Dialogues, Earlier Period. London: Cambridge University Press

Children Shouldnt Be Educated By Their Parents Education Essay Free Essays

I agree with the sentiment that kids should ne’er be educated at place by their parents. This is based on the fact that, it is non a affair of traditional category the kids will be analyzing at place by their parents ; there are besides no higher recommendations signifiers from higher acquisition instruction, and kids will non be in a place to follow waies from their parents. As amateur of fact, it is really much important to direct childs to traditional schools. We will write a custom essay sample on Children Shouldnt Be Educated By Their Parents Education Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now It is much of import to direct kids to traditional schools for them to win in their lives. Children Should Never Be Educated At Home by Their Parents As a affair of fact, kids ‘s instruction has become really much of import in the current times. As an consequence, there has been a het argument on whether kids need to be educated at place by there parents or non. In seeking to look into this affair, this paper tries to reason about if kids should be educated at place by their parents or non. Those suggesting for this gesture claim that, it is non a affair of traditional category the kids will be analyzing at place by their parents ; there are besides no higher recommendations signifiers from higher acquisition instruction, and kids will non be in a place to follow waies from their parents. As amateur of fact, it is really much important to direct childs to traditional schools, ( Educationalgateway.com, 2011 ) . As a affair of fact, the procedure of larning at place by parents is non traditional categories that childs learn from school. For illustration, male parents and female parents are non able to learn their childs all the clip. Traveling with the words of Judge Mangum said, â€Å" You ‘ve done good in place schooling, done a good occupation † ( Robbin, 2009 ) . On the other manus, he ordered that the childs should be placed in public schooling. Most persons hold a idea that, childs will make better in public schools as compared to place schooling. Regardless of the fact some childs go toing place schooling might be even in higher classs as compared to their age, such kids might non supply information to their parents. This is based on the fact ; most parents do non hold adequate instruction. In traditional categories, kids normally learn from teachers ; who have undergone through a certain instruction system and qualified for the occupation. Such like teachers have lesson programs, which is a really good planning for instruction, this is because, lesson programs provide a clear lineation wear how kids need to be educated. In add-on to that, such like teachers found in traditional schools are approved by higher acquisition plans, so they are certain of what they are learning, and the content of the lesson. By sing the morality of kids, it is much right to determine that, the issue of larning at place by parents has increased bad ethical motives and listening behaviours. The ground as to why most bookmans have concluded such a statement is that, most of the childs will non hold hold any regard when their parents order them to make one thing or the other. As a affair of fact, such bookmans have concluded that, it is far much of import to direct childs to traditional category, ( Gary, 2009 ) . The 2nd thing is that, [ the issue of larning at place by parents provided no recommendation from higher acquisition organic structure or organisation. It was said by on parent that, â€Å" It is my purpose to be a better influence on my kids than their favourite instructor! I want to be my kids ‘s hero! I want my kids to cognize that I may non cognize it all, but I will ALWAYS at least effort to happen the replies to whatever it is that is blighting their heads. And if my program goes good, they will be the same manner and ever seek more cognition! ! The universe is our schoolroom! ! † ( Robbin, 2009 ) for case, it is really important to advert that, parents might non be in a place of supplying research labs while at place. Comparing this with in category suites, where kids get to larn face to confront with their teachers, who ion of supplying practical categories. This is because traditional schools do hold research labs. Making affairs more worse for kids larning at p lace by their parents, such kids might non continue to higher acquisition establishments unless they go to traditional categories. To add on that, parents might non be holding an outside occupation to back up their households. As a consequence, they might be busy looking for other agencies of supplying to their kids, therefore take really small clip in learning their kids. Some people have revealed that, every kid can merely have quality instruction from school other than at place by his or her parents, ( Lena, 2011 ) . The 3rd issue is that, research has place that, kids will non take waies given by their parents, when they are being taught by their parents. It is true that, most childs disobey their parents and oppose them excessively. Mangum said that â€Å" public school will fix these childs for the existent universe and college ; be able to besides hold socialisation. † ( Bart, 2009 ) Apart from filed trips, good ample socialisation clip, and existent universe readyings, childs will be provided with other good chances in traditional schools. At this cyberspace epoch, kids will merely listen and does their ain work, as an consequence, childs will disregard what their parents state them to make. To add on what had already been stated, kids will non be making their assignment. In contrary to this point of immorality and hearing, in traditional categories, it is obligatory for kids to follow what their teachers instruct them to make. And a consequence, childs will be making all assignments assigned to them by their teachers in school. Different surveies have hence concluded that, kids will larn faster through their teachers, as they will be good hearers and morally unsloped, ( Robbin, 2009 ) . Inclusion, based on assorted points that have been discussed in the chief organic structure, I agree with the point that, kids should ne’er be educated at place by Their Parents, it is much of import to direct kids to traditional schools for them to win in their lives. How to cite Children Shouldnt Be Educated By Their Parents Education Essay, Essay examples

What Defines Us as Americans free essay sample

The Constitution States We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. This statement alone heavily helps define us as Americans, as the many things our government consist of is stated. Article I, Section II, Clause I of the Constitution states: The House of Representatives shall be composed ofMembers chosen every second Year by the people of the several States, and the Electors In each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature. This quote helps define us as Americans as a democratic nation, who allows everyone to have say in the voting of our leaders as well as controlling the power one could have to be sure that he/she is one of these leaders. We will write a custom essay sample on What Defines Us as Americans or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The constitution defines us among every other nation through its loyalty to the average Joe of America, allowing a normal everyday person to have say in who runs this nation.The Constitution simply defines us as Americans because it protects all of the basic rights we have as citizens of the United States. Another big part of defining us as Americans was the Westward Expansion. The Westward Expansion was just what it sounds like; it was the expanding of our nation to the West. After the War of 1812 much of Americas attention turned to exploration and settlement of its territory to the West, which had been greatly enlarged by the Louisiana Purchase.Families of pioneers swept westward and founded new communities throughout what is now the Midwest, and between 1816 and 1821, six new states were admitted to the union. The land boom was fed by encouragement from the federal government and the actions of land speculators, who bought up large tracts of land in order to sell it in parcels to farmers who did not mind high prices and high interest on loans due to the success Of American agricultural products, at exorbitant prices.A major aspect of the conquest of the West was the removal of the Indians who dwelled there. After the Midwest had been substantially developed, the national focus turned toward the far west. The territory of Texas, controlled by the Spanish, was settled by Americans, who eventually undertook the Texas Rebellion in efforts to win independence. When the U. S admitted Texas to the union the Mexican War was started and upon victory the U.S gained control of Texas, New Mexico, California and the entire western land to the Pacific Ocean after Oregon land was annexed. By the early twentieth century, the organization of the West was completed, and the United States consisted of all 48 contiguous states. This was a major part of defining us as Americans by setting the tone for our 50 states we are allowed to visit and/or live freely. The Civil War and Reconstruction is another thing that helps to define us as Americans. The Civil War (1861-65) was perhaps the most momentous event in American history.The survival of the United States as one nation was at risk, and the nation ;s ability to bring to reality the ideals of liberty, equality, human dignity, and justice depended on the outcome of the war. After Lincoln election, sectional differences over slavery and the question of states rights versus federal power erupted in the Civil War. After the war, Lincoln favored a mild Reconstruction of the South, Hough Congress was dominated by Radical Republicans who favored a harsher reconstruction plan in order to punish the South for secession and for slav ery. After Lincoln assassination, Congress overwhelmed Andrew Johnson, who had taken over as president, and instituted punitive Reconstruction policies. Blacks in the South, freed during the Civil War, gained considerable rights during radical Reconstruction. Through both legal and illegal means, Southerners fought against the granting of these rights. After the failure of radical Reconstruction, Southerners used the Supreme Courts Please v. Ferguson decision to institutionalize segregation and the discrimination of blacks.The Civil War and Reconstruction took our nation another step further, helping define us as Americans in the process. These three events are just three popular events of IS. S History that help define us as Americans, although there are many more. Such as: industrialization, World War II, and the Cold War. There are a series of events that all add together to define us as Americans, events like; the Constitution, Westward Expansion, and the Civil War and Reconstruction. So after reading this, what do you think defines us as Americans?