Manifest Destiny and a Growing Nation

Vocabulary •  annex- to add a territory to a country. Such an addition is called

annexation. •  diplomacy- the art of conducting negotiations with other countries •  manifest destiny- the belief that it was America’s right and duty to

spread the nation across the North American continent •  Mexican-American War- the war with Mexico from 1846 to 1847

that resulted in Mexico ceding to the United States a huge region from Texas to California

•  territory- a region of land; also, a region designated by Congress and organized under a governor

•  Texas War for Independence- the 1836 rebellion of Texans against Mexican rule that resulted in Texas becoming an independent nation

•  divine right- God given right •  justifiable- able to be shown to be right or defensible

“Manifest Destiny”

•  “Obvious fate” •  John O’Sullivan, newspaper editor, 1845 •  It was the United States ‘manifest destiny

to overspread and possess the whole of the continent.’

•  The 19th Century belief that Americans had a divine right to settle this land and make it their own.

Louisiana Purchase (1803)

In 1803, the United States added the vast territory known as Louisiana, which doubled the nation’s land area. This territory also gave the United States control of the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans, ensuring farmers west of the Appalachians could get their crops to market.

Acquisition of Florida (1819) “Govern or Get Out!”

After Andrew Jackson marched into Florida and removed the Spanish governor, President Monroe gave Spain the option (ultimatum?) to govern the territory properly or get out. In 1819, to avoid going to war, Spain signed a treaty that gave Florida to the United States.

Texas “Americans start a colony in Mexico”

•  In 1836, Americans in Texas rebelled against the Mexican government. After the Texans devastation at the Alamo, the Texas revolutionary army defeated the Mexican army, leading to the creation of the Lone Star Republic. In 1845, Congress admitted Texas into the union as the 28th state, and in 1846, the Lone Star Republic was formally dissolved.

Texans rebel at the “Battle of the Alamo” (1836)

The Lone Star Republic (1836)

Annexation of Texas (1845) Texas admitted as the 28th State

Oregon Country (1846)

As routes westward were established, thousands of Americans settled in Oregon Country, and soon there was a drive to annex all of Oregon. In 1846, to avoid going to war, the United States signed a treaty with Great Britain and added half of Oregon Country.

Oregon Trail 2,100 miles

Mexican Cession (1848)

In 1846, the United States went to War with Mexico in the Mexican-American War. In an 1848 treaty with Mexico, the United States acquired the present-day states of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico as well as parts of Colorado and Wyoming (called the Mexican Cession). In 1853, the Gadsen Purchase asses land that completed the outline of the continental United States.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)

Gadsen Purchase (1853)

Territorial Expansion of the U.S.