Manifest Destiny

The belief that America should spread from coast to coast!

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“Manifest Destiny”Belief that the US should expand its territory from coast

to coast

Jumpstart: American Progress by George A. Crofutt and John Gast

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1. Who is the woman in white?

2. What two objects is she holding?

3. What are the pioneers doing?

4. What types of transportation can be seen?

5. What are the Native Americans and animals doing?

6. What direction are they traveling?

7. What is your opinion of manifest destiny as it is depicted in this painting?

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Thinking Question

(don’t write this down!! Just think!)

Why weren’t Americans happy with the size of their country at this point in their history?

Reasons for Manifest Destiny: Economic

Belief that people could become more wealthy (Gold Rush, plantation system, natural resources)

Land speculators bought huge tracts of land and sold it for a profit

Reasons for Manifest Destiny: Social

Racism- lack of concern for Natives, desire to expand slavery

Escape from religious persecution (Mormons) Famine and economic struggles in Europe

Irish potato famine (1845-1850) Belief that all people should own plot of land to

keep the country free (“American Dream”)

Reasons for Manifest Destiny: Political

Fear of foreign powers invadingSpanish, French, English, and Mexican

Desire to spread Democracy and the “American” way of life

Desire to spread the institution of slavery westSlave states = Southern support in Congress

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US Territorial Expansion

A

When?

From Where?

Why?

• 1776

• Great Britain

• Colonies declared independence from Great Britain

A - 13 Original Colonies

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US Territorial Expansion

A

When?

From Where?

Why?

• 1783

• Great Britain

• Result of Treaty of Paris 1783 (ended Revolutionary War)

B

B - Western Lands

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US Territorial Expansion

A

When?

From Where?

Why?

• 1803

• France

• Napoleon needed money

• Jefferson wanted New Orleans

• He got all of this instead for 15 mil !

B

C - Louisiana Purchase

C

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US Territorial Expansion

A

When?

From Where?

Why?

• 1819

• Spain

• Adams-Onis Treaty (1819)

• Spain sold it to U.S. for $5 million

B

D - Florida

C

D

E, S, or P? Each one of the following speakers represents

someone living during the mid 1800’s. Read each speakers quote, and decide their motivation for moving West. Are they relocating for ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, or POLTICAL reasons?

“I am a farmer in Missouri. The land is wearing out from years of growing crops, and I need new farmland in order to provide for

my family.”

E, S or P?

“I am a Texan living in the Republic of Texas. I am worried about our republic’s economy and safety. We need to become

part of the United States.”

E, S or P?

“I am a congressman from the North. I want to expand the great

democracy of America all the way across the continent.”

E, S or P?

“I am a missionary. I want to share my religion with the Native

Americans in the West.”

E, S or P?

“I am a Mormon facing persecution for my religious

beliefs. I need to find a place to live where I can practice my

religion freely.”

E, S or P?

“I am a fur trader living west of the Mississippi River. I need a

better way to transport my furs to trading posts.”

E, S or P?

“Mr. Manifest Destiny”

President James K. Polk• Elected President in

1844

• 11th President• We have skipped a few…

• Added more territory to the US (by any means) than any other President

Texas Independence March 2, 1836: Texas

declared Independence Elected Sam Houston as

President

Houston’s troops attacked Santa Anna at San Jacinto

Under force, Santa Anna signs Treaty of Velasco

Mexican government rejected the treaty and never recognized Texas Independence

U.S. Annexation of Texas Texas immediately asks

for annexation by U.S. Annexation: to incorporate

a territory into another North opposes because

they fear spread of slavery Texas remains an

independent nation until annexed on Dec. 29th, 1845

Mexico sees annexation as a declaration of war

Factors Leading to Mexican-American War

Mexican anger over annexation of Texas (1845) Dispute over Texas/Mexican border

Nueces River or Rio Grande Instability of Mexican government

19 governments in 25 years Polk’s drive to expand the U.S.

Believed he must create a coast-to-coast nationSoutherners hoped to expand slavery into Texas

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Terms:

Recognized Texas as part of the U.S.

Gave up the Mexican Cession (1848)

Annexed half of Mexico to the U.S. U.S. Paid $15 million to Mexico for

territory.

Created Rio Grande as border

In 1853 Gadsden Purchase solidifies southern boundary Wanted to extend Trans-

Continental Railroad Mexico sells it to us for $10

million “from sea to shining sea”

Oregon: 54° 40’ or Fight! In his campaign, Polk talked

about taking all of Oregon 54° 40’ or Fight! Was one of

his slogans

Rather than fight, he settled for half

U.S. and Britain decide to divide Oregon in 1846 Extended the boundary already

dividing the U.S. and Canada Boundary remains today

California Gold Rush and the 49-ers!

James Marshall was building a sawmill when he spotted gold

People from all over the world raced to California in 1849 Nick-named the Forty-Niners

Thousands of men hoped to get rich quick then go home Majority did not

By 1852, all of the gold was gone but California now had a population of over 250,000 Could now become the first

state in the West

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US Territorial Expansion

A

When?

From Where?

Why?

•1845

•Republic of Texas

•Texas independent from Mexico in 1836

•Northerners feared it would become a slave state

•Annexed in 1845 despite Northern fears

B

E - Texas

C

E D

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US Territorial Expansion

A

When?

From Where?

Why?

•1846

•Great Britain

•Disputed between U.S. and Britain

•Americans demanded “54° 40’ or fight!”

•Britain compromised and U.S. accepted

B

F - Oregon Territory

C

E

F

D

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US Territorial Expansion

A

When?

From Where?

Why?

•1848

•Mexico

•Polk offers to buy from Mexico & they refuse

•War!

•US wins

•In Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, U.S. buys for $15 million

B

G - Mexican Cession

C

E

F

G

D

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US Territorial Expansion

A

When?

From Where?

Why?

•1853

•Mexico

• Wanted it to build a railroad

•Sold it to U.S. for $10 million

•Solidifies our southern border

B

H- Gadsden Purchase

D

C

E

F

G

H

Postcard Perspectives- PAP Create a postcard from two perspectives: Mexican

Citizen, Texas Citizen You are writing after the signing of the Treaty of

Guadalupe Hidalgo Your postcard must include:

1. Your opinion of the Mexican-American AND Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

2. 3 main terms of the Treaty

3. Picture symbolizing your viewpoint (MUST be in color)

Jigsaw: Trails West You will be researching 3 of the main trails used by settlers during Manifest

Destiny You will find your information:

Creating America pgs. 379-381 Each person in your “home group” (based on group number) will be researching

a different trail: Pink: Santa Fe Green: Oregon Orange: Mormon

You will move from your “home group” to an “expert group” where all three of you will be researching the same trail (based on color)

Once your expert group has read and found the required information, each of you will return to your “home group” and teach the other 2-3 people about your trail