4.11 manifest destiny & westward...
TRANSCRIPT
4.11 –MANIFEST DESTINY &
WESTWARD EXPANSION
AMERICAN HISTORY I
UNIT 4 – ERA OF GROWTH AND DISUNION
DAY 11 – MANIFEST DESTINY
Idea that promoted American Expansion and control of the North American continent
US “God given right to control all the territory between the Atlantic and Pacific”
Leads to American expansion and territorial war New Markets
New land
Get away from Panic of 1837
Spread democracy
Manifest Destiny
CAN YOU SPOT 7 ITEMS THAT SHOW WESTWARD
MOVEMENT?
American Progress by John Gast
Oregon territory (1846)
ANNEX Texas (1845)
Mexican Cession (1848)
“Go West, young man!”
All examples of Manifest Destiny
Santa Fe Trail
major trade route to west
Oregon Trail
Increased westward movement;
farming
About 2000 miles from Missouri
41\2 to 5 months travel
James K. Polk
(Democrat)
Won the 1844 election
His platform called for more land for
the US (Expansion)
A New President
One area of dispute was the Oregon Territory
Russia, England and the US all claimed it
The US and England nearly fought over it
“54, 40 or Fight!” Campaign Slogan
applies to the disputed boundary of Oregon
Polk used to win election in1844
Polk Fighting for Oregon
would move west for religious freedom (Utah)
Founded by Joseph Smith (1830’s) who was later attacked and killed by an anti-Mormon group
Moved to Illinois and later Utah
Brigham Young
led the Mormons to Utah
Video – Manifest Destiny
Mormons
Texas
was part of Mexico and
Mexico wanted people to
move there
Allowed US settlers to
come in if they agreed to
three things:
1. No slaves
2. Become Catholic
3. Pay Mexican taxes
New US Territory
Stephen F. Austin
led American families into Texas in the 1820’s
Started empresarios (Land Grants)
300 families
Population increased and production of sugar and cotton did, too.
What did they need for their farms?
MORE INFO ON TEXAS
Jackson and Adams had tried to buy Texas from Mexico……..no deal
Mexico began to worry about the large number of Americans moving in
Texans began to ask for more autonomy
Austin went to Mexico City and was eventually arrested
Led to more cries for independence
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
was the President of Mexico and led troops against the Texans
One group of Texans was held up at the Alamo, an old missionary (1836)
200 Texans v. 6000 Mexicans
Texas Problems
Old missionary where Texans
fought for independence from
Mexico
Texas lost the battle in 1836
Led to famous battle cry
“Remember the Alamo”
All of the Texans were killed
except one woman and some
children
The Alamo
March 1836 Texas declared its independence
April 1836: Battle of San Jacinto: Mexico defeated; Lone Star Republic created
Sam Houston became the first President of Texas
Jackson was president when Texas became independent in 1836 and John Tyler was president when it became a state in 1845
Why so long?
Texas annexation was delayed due to the issue of slavery
Texas Annexation
Polk was President & wanted California (which was a part of Mexico)!
Treaty of Guadeloupe-Hidalgo (1848):
set the boundary of Mexico and Texas at the Rio Grande
Mexico lost about 1/3 of their land
US paid 15 million to them
Mexican Cession was land lost by Mexico to the US
Mexican-American War
(1846-48)
GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR AT
PALO ALTO
“Old Rough and Ready”
THE BOMBARDMENT OF
VERA CRUZ
GENERAL SCOTT ENTERS
MEXICO CITY
“Old Fuss and Feathers”
The newly acquired Mexican land increased sectionalism because of the issue of
slavery.
Under Mexican rule, this land was free. What should the new land be? Free or slave or
both?
Before the treaty was passed a major issue was slavery expansion
David Wilmot
Introduced Wilmot Proviso
Proposed law that stated any land taken from Mexico would not have slaves
Created controversy over slavery
Did NOT pass!
Mexican Land Causes Issues
more land purchased from Mexico
paid 10 million for railroads
Finalized the border of the southwest
Gadsden
Purchase
Gold found in 1848
Mass migration to California after the discovery of gold
in 1848
“49ers” = Gold Rush miners
People came from all over the world
QUESTIONS:
What does the term Manifest Destiny describe? How would settlers be
compelled to travel away from their homes? What advantages would there be?
Disadvantages?
What slogan applies to the dispute between Britain and the U.S. concerning the
Canadian and American border?
VOCABULARY
Manifest Destiny
Oregon Trail
James K. Polk