We are the nation of human progress, and who will, what can, set limits to our

onward march?”-John O’Sullivan

Manifest Destiny Nation needed room to grow Manifest destiny or obvious fate, to

settle land all the way to the Pacific Ocean in order to spread democracy.

Slavery becomes an issue Will slavery be allowed in new territories?

Acquiring new territory

• Polk promises Oregon will be annexed in the election of 1844.

• Oregon would be useful to the U.S. because it would provide a Pacific port for trade with China.

• American dispute with Britain over the Oregon territory “Fifty-four forty or fight!”

New Treaty-Texas

• March 1845- congress approves annexation.

• December 1845-Texas becomes a state.

• Angered Mexican government: considered Texas a “stolen province”

• Other than Texas, Mexico still controlled southwest including California.

Conflicted borders• Dispute over border

• Mexico says it is the Nueces River.• U.S. says it is the Rio Grande.

• Polk sends John Slidell to Mexico• Offers Mexico $30 million for

California and New Mexico.• Mexico is insulted and refuses

to speak to him.

Mexican American War• March 1846-Gen. Taylor led

troops to the Rio Grande.• Mexican Commander tells

Taylor to leave, he refuses

“Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory, and shed American blood upon

American soil…”- President James Polk

Bear Flag Revolt

• June 1846- Sonoma is taken by a small group of Americans• Bear flag is raised.• California claims to be an

independent nation.

U.S. Takes California

• July 1846- US naval forces arrive and raised the stars and stripes

• Kearny arrives • San Diego, Los Angeles, San

Francisco

• August 1846-US Navy Commodore Robert Stockton claims California for the United States

WAR’S END

• February 1847- Santa Anna and Taylor fight at Buena Vista.• Heavy losses for both

sides, Mexico retreats

• General Winfield Scott is sent to Mexico• Sails to Veracruz

• March 1847- Veracruz fell

• Turns focus to Mexico City• Falls September 14, 1847

Mexican Cession• February 1848-US and Mexico sign the

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo• Officially ends war

• California, Nevada, Utah, and most of Arizona and New Mexico.

• Sets U.S. Mexico border at the Rio Grande

• U.S. grows by almost 25%!• US paid Mexico $15 million

Gadsden purchase• Americans need southern railroad to California• December 1853, U.S. Minister to Mexico James

Gadsden • Gadsden Purchase

• US paid Mexico $10 million for southern parts of Arizona and New Mexico.

• Sets U.S. Mexico boundary at what it is today.

Aftermath of the wars

• Americans flood into the Southwest

• Conflict with Mexican-Americans and Native Americans over land• Discrimination

• Property rights• Manifest destiny

Effects for Americans, including Mexican-Americans

• Laws printed in both English and Spanish• Places names: San

Antonio, San Diego, Santa Barbara• Knowledge and cultural

tradition