MANIFEST DESTINY

How did Manifest Destiny influence westward expansion?

Why did settlers move west during the mid-1800s?

What was the experience of settlers as they moved west?

Manifest Destiny

The 19th century belief that the United States would inevitably expand westward to the Pacific Ocean and into Mexican territory.

Manifest: obvious, inevitable Destiny: predestined by God

Origins of term

The annexation of Texas “is the fulfillment of our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions.”

-John O’Sullivan, editor of U.S. Magazine and Democratic Review 1845

Canals transform America

Real growth in the movement of people and goods west started with the canal

ERIE CANAL- 1825 opened up the unsettled

northern regions of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.

New York City became the principal gateway to the West

created strong bonds between the new western territories and the northern states.

Oregon Trail

 Oregon fever swept the nation in the 1840s.

Families in caravans of 20 or 30 braved the elements to reach Oregon or California. The CONESTOGA WAGON, oxen and

supplies were costly. It took six months of travel at the

speed of fifteen miles per day.

Railroads transform America

 With their formation, construction and operation, they brought profound social, economic and political change

TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD In 1869, the Central Pacific

starting in San Francisco joined the Union Pacific, starting in Omaha, Nebraska

Immigrant labor: mainly Irish for the Union Pacific and Chinese for the Central Pacific.

Railroad

Railroad

Reasons for moving west

Personal economic problems

The Panic of 1837 – a fresh start in the West

Abundance of land in the West (farming or speculation)

Merchants seeking new markets

Read your settler card with your group: 1. Motivation for moving west? 2. Obstacles/struggles faced? 3. Long-term success or failure?

Americans in Texas

Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821. American immigration encouraged

In 1823, STEPHEN AUSTIN led 300 American families onto land granted to his father by the Mexican government.  Americans expected to:

Residents for 10 years Pledge loyalty to Mexico Become Catholic Outlaw slavery

Texas Revolution

In 1835, war broke out between Mexican troops and Texan revolutionaries, led by Sam Houston.

On March 2, 1836, representatives from Texas formally declared their independence.

March 6, General Santa Anna completed an infamous siege on the ALAMO mission.

“Remember the Alamo” 13 days: 5,000 Mexicans

against 187 Texans

The Lone Star Republic

On May 14, 1836, Santa Anna grudgingly recognized Texan independence.

1842: Mexican president Santa Anna warned that U.S. annexation would be considered an act of war.

Texas was the “Lone Star Republic” for nine years until it was annexed by the U.S. in 1845.

Trouble in Texas

Boundary dispute: Mexico claimed that the

southern boundary of Texas was the Nueces River

Americans claimed that the boundary of Texas was the Rio Grander River

President Polk sent Mexico an offer for $30 million for CA, NM territories Goal: to acquire the rich ports

of California

“American Blood on American Soil!”

Mexico refused; American honor had been challenged.

May 9, 1846, Mexican soldiers fired upon Americans on the “Texas side” of the Rio Grande.  From the standpoint of Mexico, the

United States had invaded their territory.

Polk appeared before Congress on May 11 and declared that Mexico had invaded the U.S.

Congress passed a war declaration by an overwhelming majority.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Polk directed the war from Washington, D.C. He sent a 4-prong attack into the Mexican heartland. 

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo.

The US received the disputed Texan territory, as well as NEW MEXICO territory and CALIFORNIA.

Nationalism

Was the United States justified in taking half of Mexico's territory in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?