The American Pageant Chapter 17 Manifest Destiny and Its Legacy, 1841-1848 Cover Slide Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved

The American Pageant

Chapter 17

Manifest Destiny and Its Legacy,

1841-1848

Cover Slide

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Battle of Buena Vista, by Samuel Chamberlain, 1847An American private, Samuel E. Chamberlain, made this drawing of the Battle of Buena Vista. Present at the battle, Chamberlain watched as Mexican forces overran an artillery emplacement. The Americans eventually turned the tide and the battle came out a draw. Even so, troops under Santa Anna were forced to retreat into the Mexican interior, spoiling the general's hope for a quick and easy victory against the invading Americans. (San Jacinto Museum of History Association)

Battle of Buena Vista, by Samuel Chamberlain, 1847


Congressional Scales, 1850The question of how a war with Mexico might unbalance the nation politically weighed heavily on people's minds as the nation entered the 1850s. In this cartoon, lithographer Nathaniel Currier--who later would found the famous graphic art company Currier and Ives--illustrates the problem. Trying to balance the Wilmot Proviso against Southern Rights, the president seeks to keep congressional representatives from the North and the South in balance as well. (Library of Congress)

Congressional Scales, 1850


Daguerreotype of Soldiers in Mexican American WarThis photograph shows General John F. Wool (in the center, wearing a heavy coat) and his staff at Saltillo, the capital of the Mexican state of Coahuila, in 1846 or 1847. Wool respected individual Mexicans as soldiers, but noted Mexico's lack of unity. "Had the nation [Mexico] been united," he wrote, "we could not have gained a single victory." (Library of Congress)

Daguerreotype of Soldiers in Mexican American War


Election of 1844, artist unknownAn unknown artist depicted, in rich detail, the election campaign of 1844. A team of Polk supporters offers a campaign handbill to the seated voter. Passions were so high and party organization was so extensive that door-to-door politicking became the norm. (Courtesy of Nathan Liverant and Son)

Election of 1844, artist unknown


James K. Polk by George Peter Alexander Healy, 1846Lacking charm, Polk bored even his friends, but few presidents could match his record of acquiring land for the United States. (James K. Polk Memorial Association, Columbia, Tennessee)

James K. Polk by George Peter Alexander Healy, 1846


Mission San Gabriel by Ferdinand Deppe, 1832The San Gabriel Mission was founded in 1771 in southern California, partly with the intent of converting the local Indians, shown here settled in a thatched hut, to Catholicism. In 1781 the Spanish governor set out from this mission to found El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Angeles' Porciúncula, now usually known simply as Los Angeles. (Courtesy Santa Barbara Mission Archive-Library)

Mission San Gabriel by Ferdinand Deppe, 1832


Mission San Gabriel by Ferdinand Deppe, 1832Using Indian labor, Franciscan missionaries transformed the dry California coastal hill country into a blooming garden and built a long string of missions in which to celebrate their religion. This painting of Mission San Gabriel conveys the beauty and the awesome size of these mission establishments. (Santa Barbara Mission Archive)

Mission San Gabriel by Ferdinand Deppe, 1832


Polk and Dallas FlagThis campaign banner celebrating the candidacy of James K. Polk and George M. Dallas on the Democratic ticket carries a subtle message conveying the party's platform. Surrounding Polk's picture are twenty-five stars, one for each state in the Union. Outside the corner box, a twenty-sixth star stands for Texas, which Polk promised to annex. (Collection of David J. and Janet L. Frent)

Polk and Dallas Flag


Map: American Expansion in Oregon

American Expansion in OregonThe slogan of Polk's supporters had been "Fifty-four forty or fight," but negotiation of a boundary at the 49th parallel avoided the danger of war with Great Britain.


Map: Major Battles of the Mexican-American War

Major Battles of the Mexican-American WarThe Mexican War's decisive campaign began with General Winfield Scott's capture of Vera Cruz and ended with his conquest of Mexico City.


Map: Oregon Boundary Dispute

Oregon Boundary DisputeAlthough demanding that Britain cede the entire Oregon Territory south of 54°40', the United States settled for a compromise at the forty-ninth parallel.


Map: The Election of 1844

The Election of 1844The election of 1844 demonstrated one incontestable fact: the annexation of Texas had more national support than Clay had realized. The surging popular sentiment for expansion that made the underdog Polk rather than Clay the man of the hour reflected a growing conviction among the people that America's natural destiny was to expand into Texas and all the way to the Pacific Ocean.


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The American Pageant Chapter 17 Manifest Destiny and Its Legacy, 1841-1848 Cover Slide Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved