Manifest Destiny

1840s

Manifest DestinyManifest DestinyManifest DestinyManifest Destiny

First coined by newspaper editor, John O’Sullivan in 1845. First coined by newspaper editor, John O’Sullivan in 1845.

What does it mean? The belief that it was a God-given right to expand west for Americans.

What does it mean? The belief that it was a God-given right to expand west for Americans.

Overland Immigration to Overland Immigration to the Westthe West

Overland Immigration to Overland Immigration to the Westthe West

1840 - 1860→ more than250,000 people travel west!!

1840 - 1860→ more than250,000 people travel west!!

Who and Why go West?

* Southerners -->new land for cotton

* Mormons -->escape persecution-->Great Salt Lake

* Americans--cheap land and gold-->California (1849)

* “Oregon Fever” = Americans establish farms on fertile land

Trails WestwardTrails WestwardTrails WestwardTrails Westward

But American expansion is not without its

problems - Expansion will bring about disputes both

within the US & with our foreign neighbors

Conflict with Great Britain

• Boundary line between Maine & British-controlled Canada was unclear

* Dispute w/ GB ends with = The Webster-Ashburton Treaty

The Oregon DisputeThe Oregon Dispute

Both the US & GB claimed Oregon

Treaty of 1818 = US and GB would have control of Oregon until issue could be resolved permanently

American settlement

• Mexico gains independence from Spain• → invites American settlers to TEJAS to develop territory

• 1st American settlers successfully led by Stephen Austin

* By 1830, Americans outnumber Mexicans in Tejas by 3 to 1!

Friction between American settlers & Mexican

government:* When….new rules to tighten Mexican control of Tejas:

Ban further American immigration 1829 – Mexico abolished slaveryAmericans (plantation owners) reaction--> --refused to follow these new regulations–Land hungry American southerners continued to stream into Tejas

Road to Texas Independence

• General Santa Ana becomes dictator:

abolished local self-rule! →

revolts break out across Mexico

* Americans under Sam Houston declare Texas to be independent (1836)

Texas Declaration of Texas Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

Texas Declaration of Texas Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

The Republic of TexasThe Republic of TexasThe Republic of TexasThe Republic of Texas

Remember the Alamo!Remember the Alamo!Remember the Alamo!Remember the Alamo!

Texas Independence

* Alamo 1836– Americans defeated* Goliad – Americans defeated again! Santa Ana’s soldiers execute any prisoners

* San Jacinto – Mexican defeat; Santa Ana captured & forced to recognize Texan independence

* Grants Texas all land north of the Rio Grande River

* BUT: Mexican gov’t still considers Texas a MEXICAN TERRITORY

Texas requests admission to Union

• Newly “independent” Texas faced financial problems →•Texas president Sam Houston requests admission to Union

• North = opposed to addition of more slave territory •Why? Texas if admitted could be made into as many as 4 or 5 states, particularly SLAVE states• This would upset balance between free & slave in Congress

• Texas not admitted yet; looks to Britain for help!!!

• President John Tyler (slaveowner) sees chance to annex this HUGE territory slipping away!

* Tyler works for annexation, but doesn’t get 2/3 vote for approval

The election of 1844: Texas becomes an issue!

* The candidates: Henry Clay = tried to avoid issue of annexationJames K Polk = openly in favor of expansion & manifest destiny–US should annex Texas & California –Demanded total American control of the Oregon Territory: “Fifty-four forty or fight!”

James K. Polk wins!

Texas is annexed

Lame-duck means: OUTGOING PRESIDENT; POLICIES ARE NOT REALLY THE FOCUS ANYMORE

Lame-duck President Tyler still works to annex Texas

Persuades Congress to annex Texas using a “joint resolution of Congress” → required only a simple majority (50%=1)

Mexico’s reaction--> fury! Anger! War is coming!!!!

In class assignment:

What were the causes and results of this conflict?

The Slidell Mission: The Slidell Mission: Nov., 1845Nov., 1845

The Slidell Mission: The Slidell Mission: Nov., 1845Nov., 1845

* Attempt to avoid war → John Slidell sent to Mexico→ offers to purchase Texas →Mexico refuses!

* Mexico says “TEXAS BELONGS TO US!”

* Attempt to avoid war → John Slidell sent to Mexico→ offers to purchase Texas →Mexico refuses!

* Mexico says “TEXAS BELONGS TO US!”

John SlidellJohn

Slidell

President Polk prepares for war

* War with Mexico seems unavoidable:

Pres. Polk doesn’t want war with GB AND MEXICO– compromises with GB over US-Canada Boundary →now, it will be the 49th parallel instead of 54°40′

Orders US troops into disputed area between Texas and Mexico

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Why does Polk negotiate with GB but seems ready to

fight Mexico?* Mexico is a weaker enemy – US more assured of success

Meanwhile…California Meanwhile…California tries to follow the tries to follow the

“Texas example” “Texas example” →revolt in 1845 →The →revolt in 1845 →The Bear Flag Republic, Bear Flag Republic,

then ask for admission then ask for admission to the Unionto the Union

Meanwhile…California Meanwhile…California tries to follow the tries to follow the

“Texas example” “Texas example” →revolt in 1845 →The →revolt in 1845 →The Bear Flag Republic, Bear Flag Republic,

then ask for admission then ask for admission to the Unionto the Union

President Polk asks for a declaration of war

• * But North & South deeply divided over war! WHY?

• Wilmot Proviso → North’s plan for NO SLAVERY in territory that U.S. wins from Mexican War •does not pass – slavery issue not solved

Treaty of Guadalupe-Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848Hidalgo, 1848

Treaty of Guadalupe-Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848Hidalgo, 1848

* Mexico gave up claims to Texas above the Rio Grande River.

* Mexico gave the U. S. California to New Mexico – The Mexican Cession.

* Mexico gave up claims to Texas above the Rio Grande River.

* Mexico gave the U. S. California to New Mexico – The Mexican Cession.

The Treaty was basically forced on Mexico!

The Mexican CessionThe Mexican CessionThe Mexican CessionThe Mexican Cession

Results of the Results of the Mexican War?Mexican War?

Results of the Results of the Mexican War?Mexican War?

1)THINK: WHAT WILL BE A KEY ISSUE FOR THE NEXT DECADE JUST BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR?

Would slavery be allowed into these new territories?

2) Mexican-American War marks a turning point in relations

between the US and all of Latin America

1)THINK: WHAT WILL BE A KEY ISSUE FOR THE NEXT DECADE JUST BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR?

Would slavery be allowed into these new territories?

2) Mexican-American War marks a turning point in relations

between the US and all of Latin America