Objective: To examine Manifest Destiny and the start of the Mexican War.
Manifest Destiny and the Mexican War.ppt€¦ · Manifest Destiny and the U.S.-Mexican War Manifest...
Transcript of Manifest Destiny and the Mexican War.ppt€¦ · Manifest Destiny and the U.S.-Mexican War Manifest...
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Manifest Destiny and
the U.S.-Mexican War
Manifest Destiny� Term originated by
newspaper editor John O’Sullivan in 1845
� Merging of political and economic goals
� Many people supported expansion through any means necessary
Election of 1844� James K. Polk - Democrat
� “Dark horse” candidate
� Congressman from Tennessee
� Supported manifest destiny
� Occupy Oregon to the 54°40’ parallel
� Annex Texas as a slave state
One of Polk’s campaign slogans – “Fifty-four
forty or fight!”
Oregon Territory
� Territory split at the 49th parallel to avoid war with Great Britain
� Used the existing border and drew it to the Pacific Ocean
Texas Annexation� Northerners opposed
annexation of Texas
� Annexation by a joint-resolution passed in the U.S. Congress in Dec. 1845
� Border dispute ensues
� U.S. – Rio Grande River
� Mexico – Nueces River
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Relations with Mexico� Polk sent diplomat John
Slidell to Mexico to negotiate� Offered $25 million for
California, the New Mexico territory, & Rio Grande as the Texas border
� President of Mexico refused and broke off diplomatic relations
� General Zachary Taylor order to march beyond the Nueces River� Camped at the Rio Grande
� In April 1846, Mexican soldiers crossed the Rio Grande River & attacked
Polk’s Appeal to Congress� Polk and his cabinet saw the
attack as an act of war� “…invaded our country and shed
American blood on American soil.”
� Congress declared war on May 11, 1846
� Northerners called it American aggression against a weaker neighbor to extend slavery
� Illinois congressman Lincoln claimed the spot was clearly in Mexico
� Gen. Taylor invaded northern Mexico
� General Winfield Scott invaded Mexico City from the Gulf of Mexico
War in the West� Gen. Stephen
Kearny marched west and captured Santa Fe, and supported revolt in California
� John C. Fremont leads the Bear Flag Revolt by Americans in California
Treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo
� End of the war� Signed at Basilica of
Guadalupe at Villa Hidalgo
� Rio Grande is the southern border of the U.S.� Mexico recognized Texas as
part of the U.S.
� Paid $15 million for California and New Mexico territory
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Because of Polk’s failing health and because he had accomplished
all he wanted in one term, he did not seek reelection
Anti-slavery Democrats
formed this party
Completion of Manifest Destiny
� Southerners desired a flat land for a southern transcontinental railroad� Wanted to link
southern land to the Pacific
� Gadsden Purchase� In 1853, purchased
from Mexico for $10 million dollars