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Manifest Destiny and

the U.S.-Mexican War

Manifest Destiny� Term originated by

newspaper editor John O’Sullivan in 1845

� Merging of political and economic goals

� Many people supported expansion through any means necessary

Election of 1844� James K. Polk - Democrat

� “Dark horse” candidate

� Congressman from Tennessee

� Supported manifest destiny

� Occupy Oregon to the 54°40’ parallel

� Annex Texas as a slave state

One of Polk’s campaign slogans – “Fifty-four

forty or fight!”

Oregon Territory

� Territory split at the 49th parallel to avoid war with Great Britain

� Used the existing border and drew it to the Pacific Ocean

Texas Annexation� Northerners opposed

annexation of Texas

� Annexation by a joint-resolution passed in the U.S. Congress in Dec. 1845

� Border dispute ensues

� U.S. – Rio Grande River

� Mexico – Nueces River

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Relations with Mexico� Polk sent diplomat John

Slidell to Mexico to negotiate� Offered $25 million for

California, the New Mexico territory, & Rio Grande as the Texas border

� President of Mexico refused and broke off diplomatic relations

� General Zachary Taylor order to march beyond the Nueces River� Camped at the Rio Grande

� In April 1846, Mexican soldiers crossed the Rio Grande River & attacked

Polk’s Appeal to Congress� Polk and his cabinet saw the

attack as an act of war� “…invaded our country and shed

American blood on American soil.”

� Congress declared war on May 11, 1846

� Northerners called it American aggression against a weaker neighbor to extend slavery

� Illinois congressman Lincoln claimed the spot was clearly in Mexico

� Gen. Taylor invaded northern Mexico

� General Winfield Scott invaded Mexico City from the Gulf of Mexico

War in the West� Gen. Stephen

Kearny marched west and captured Santa Fe, and supported revolt in California

� John C. Fremont leads the Bear Flag Revolt by Americans in California

Treaty of Guadalupe

Hidalgo

� End of the war� Signed at Basilica of

Guadalupe at Villa Hidalgo

� Rio Grande is the southern border of the U.S.� Mexico recognized Texas as

part of the U.S.

� Paid $15 million for California and New Mexico territory

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Because of Polk’s failing health and because he had accomplished

all he wanted in one term, he did not seek reelection

Anti-slavery Democrats

formed this party

Completion of Manifest Destiny

� Southerners desired a flat land for a southern transcontinental railroad� Wanted to link

southern land to the Pacific

� Gadsden Purchase� In 1853, purchased

from Mexico for $10 million dollars