Lead: One hundred and fifty years ago the Republic was facing its greatest crisis. This continuing series examines the American Civil War. It is "A House Divided." Intro: A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts. Content: By the 1830s Thomas Jefferson’s vision of a vast continent-wide democracy had been sucked into the great issue of the time. Slave and free interests fought for the fruits of manifest destiny. The third President set aside his limited notion of federal power when he seized the opportunity offered by Napoleon Bonaparte and purchased the vastness of Louisiana. Expansion westward had been part of the intellectual DNA of the Democratic Party since its founding. By hook or crook, Democrats determined, both Atlantic and Pacific would wash upon the shores of the United States, this despite the preferences of Mexicans, Indians, Spanish or Canadians who might wish otherwise. Loading... Taking too long? Reload document | Open in new tab Download [99.28 KB] Share
