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Chapter 17.1As Americans start to move west, an idea started to take hold
• By 1840’s– Americans had moved into
every part of the North America
– Texas– California Territory– Oregon Territory
– Problem:• Should we be sharing this
land with other people? – Native Americans?– Mexicans?
– What do you think?
America’s Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny
Other Reasons why USA should expand across the continent
• Social Reason– People don’t like people!
• When it gets crowded, we need to be able to move away from others!
• Economic Reason– Businesses need more land and resources
• Farming needs land• Industry needs resources
– Coal– Wood– Gold?
American Expansion
Who’s going to lead us?
• April, 1841– President William H.
Harrison gives his inauguration speech• Problem: It’s pouring down
rain!
• 2 weeks later:– Pres. Harrison dies of
pneumonia!• VP John Tyler takes over!
Why is this important? • William H. Harrison
– Did not believe in slavery!• Wanted America to expand
with no slavery!
• John Tyler– Slave owner from Virginia
• Wanted to make Texas a slave state!
• Why is this bad?– Free States = 14– Slave States = 15
Election of 1844
Election of 1844• John Tyler drops out and gets
married!
• Main issue of election = Manifest Destiny
– Henry Clay • Said he was against annexation
of Texas…
– James Polk• Warned if America doesn’t take
Texas, someone else will! – England!– Mexico!
• Winner = James Polk! – 11th POTUS
Pres. Polk gets to work immediately
• Pres. Polk worked hard to bring Oregon and Texas to the USA– Oregon would be easy
• Why? – Nobody wanted it but us!
» And the Native Americans…
• 1848– America makes Oregon a
territory» Now all they need is
60,000 settlers!
Texas would not be so easy
War Breaks Out…• Mexico claims that USA is
claiming more land then just Texas!
• Mexico believes Texas southern border– Nueces River
• Pres. Polk believes Texas southern border – Rio Grande River
• Why? – Its farther south!– More land!
– So, what do you do?
Pres. Polk sends US Army to protect its new land!
• Sends General Zachary Taylor to Rio Grande
– March 1846• Makes camp by Rio Grande
– April 1846• Mexican army attacks Taylor’s
camp!– Kills 11 troops!
– Pres. Polk: • “Mexico has shed American
blood upon the American soil!”
• What dos this mean? WAR!
Review Questions
• What is manifest destiny?
• How does John Tyler become president?
• Who wins the election of 1844?
• What two areas does the POTUS want to join the United States?