Manifest Destiny: Manifest Destiny: U.S. Mexican WarU.S. Mexican War

Chapter 9 Section 4

Page 293

Manifest Destiny Defined Term first coined by John L. O’Sullivan in

Democratic Review, July 1845 Ideological basis for belief:

– Sincere belief in democracy and republicanism– Idealized view of U.S. as model for others

Ideology intertwined with racist and imperialistic ideas about Indians and Mexicans

Concrete Reasons for Manifest Destiny

Americans tempted by “free” land– U.S. stopped at Mississippi– Knew of California and Oregon

Develop trade with Far East– Pacific Coast to Far East – need base– Jealous of Mexico’s success

Fear of Foreign Invasion– British Claims to Oregon; Mexico in south

Five Examples of early U.S. Ideology

Florida and the Seminole War - 1818– Jackson “conquers” territory from Spain

Adams-Onis Treaty – 1819 Texas Revolution New Mexico and the Santa Fe Trail Oregon: 1818 agree with Britain to leave it

Free and open, but by 1840s U.S. changes policy

Texas Independence

Texans again defeated at Battle of Goliad March 1, 1836 declared Independence

– Elected Sam Houston as President

Houston’s troops attacked Santa Ana at San Jacinto in April 1836. Routed Santa Ana.

Under duress, Santa Ana signs Treaty of Velasco Mexican government repudiated treaty and never

recognized Texas Independence

U.S. Annexation of Texas

Houston and Texas immediately ask for annexation by U.S.

Northern liberals oppose because they fear spread of slavery.

Texas remains independent nation until March 1, 1845.

Mexico sees annexation as a declaration of War and diplomatically leaves Washington

4 Factors leading to U.S./Mexican War

Mexican anger over annexation of Texas Dispute over Texas/Mexican border

– Nueces River or Rio Grande Instability of Mexican government

– 19 governments in 25 years Polk Administration’s drive to expand U.S.

– Polk saw his mandate as creating a coast-to-coast nation

Diplomatic Prelude to War

1845 Polk sends Zachary Taylor to Corpus Christi. Encamped on Nueces River

Sends John Slidell to negotiate. He offers:– $5 million for New Mexico west of Rio Grande– $25 million for California

Strong anti-U.S. sentiment meant that Mexico would not accept offer

March 1846 Taylor crossed Nueces and war begins

Aftermath of Battle

U.S. troops waiting in Mexico City. A war defense became a war of Conquest

If it was U.S. manifest destiny to conquer land, were they also to conquer people?

Three barriers to the “All Mexico” plan– Northern liberals hated conquest– Slavery question– Racism – could the U.S. really incorporate all the 8

million Mexican and Indians?

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Annexed half of Mexico to the U.S. (San Antonio)

Created Rio Grande as international border U.S. Paid $15 million to Mexico for territory. 1848 irony. Mexicans hear of Gold Rush in

California and Treaty on same day In 1854 Gadsden Purchase solidifies southern

boundary and mineral deposits to U.S.

Critical Thinking Questions

1. Why did Polk favor war with Mexico?

2. Why was public opinion divided over going to war with Mexico?

3. How did the Mexican-American War begin?

4. How did views of the war differ among the nation’s regions?

5. How did the U.S. gain control of New Mexico and California?

6. What were the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

7. What was the significance of the Gadsden Purchase?

8. What role did the war with Mexico play in the election of 1848?