Chapter 4: Economic Growth and Westward Expansion

4.2 Manifest Destiny

SSUSH7 Students will explain the process of economic growth, its regional

and national impact in the first half of the 19 century, and the different

responses to it.

b. Describe the westward growth of the United States; include the emerging

concept of Manifest Destiny.

Manifest Destiny Preview

• Have you ever gone on an extended trip?

• What methods of transportation did you take?

• What obstacles did you face?

• Were you limited in the amount of things you could pack to

• take with you?

• If so, how did you decide what you would take?

In this section, you will learn about the problems facing Americans

as they migrated west.

Manifest Destiny (Part I)

Oregon Country & Mountain Men

Manifest Destiny

The belief held by many US leaders that it was God's sovereign will for

the US to expand and possess territory all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

John L. O'Sullivan, the man who

coined the phrase 'Manifest Destiny'

“Many Americans have accepted the rhetoric of Manifest Destiny at face value, seeing their nation’s continental

expansion as inevitable and altruistic, a result of the irresistible force generated by a virtuous people”

Contemporary historian George C. Herring

Mountain Men and Fur Trappers

A mountain man was a trapper and explorer who lived in the wilderness and

most common in the Rocky Mountains from about 1810 through the 1840s.

These solitary fur-trappers lived thousands of miles from civilization. Most

had no home, no money and no possessions, except what they could carry on

their horses. They lived completely off the land and roamed constantly,

covering hundreds of miles each year trapping beaver and selling the furs to

traders.

Fur Trading

Why beaver pelts? The hides could

be made into fashionable waterproof

hats, hats that were quite popular in

place like London, where it rains a

lot. And so the pelts became very

valuable commodities.

Each beaver trap weighed five pounds

and was usually attached to a length of

chain that was used to secure the trap

after it was set.

The “Rendezvous"

Rocky Mountain Rendezvous (in trapper jargon) was an annual gathering

(1825–1840) at various locations held by a fur trading company at which

trappers and mountain men sold their furs and hides and replenished their

supplies. The large fur companies put together teamster driven mule trains

which packed in whiskey, supplies, and women into a pre-announced

location each spring-summer.

Rendezvous vs. St. Louis trader prices:

Item Prices Rendezvous Price St. Louis Prices

Coffee, 1 lb. $ 2.00 .15 cents

Sugar, 1 lb. $ 2.00 .09 cents

Clothing, 1 yd. $ 10.00 .14 cents

Oregon Territory (Oregon, Washington, and Idaho)

The Oregon Territory provided fertile soil, plentiful rainfall, and mild

temperatures all year long.

American migration increased into the Oregon Territory after the War of

1812. However, three other countries also claimed the territory; British,

Spanish and Russians.

Four competing countries claimed

the Oregon territory.

a. United States

b. Great Britain (England)

c. Spain

d. Russia

“Oregon Fever” Americans Head West

Americans moved west for many reasons, including to find religious freedom

and to own their own farms.

The Oregon Trail opened in 1836. It was a long and difficult journey, filled

with many dangers. But for those who were successful were rewarded with

economic opportunity! Caravans began to move across the Great Plains, as

this method offered the best protection from potential Indian attacks, and

also combated the loneliness and other dangers of the journey. People needed

to carry all that they owned inside the wagons

Settlers met and began their westward

travel in Independence, Missouri.

Travel: 2,000-mile journey

Hazards: Rain, snow, and sickness.

Between 1840-1860, about 50,000 settle in the Oregon Territory

Wagon

Diagram

Manifest Destiny (Part II):

Texas Independence

Opening Texas for Settlement

In 1821, Texas came under Mexican control after Mexico won its independence

from Spain. Mexico wanted to get loyal Mexicans to move there, but the vast

northern part of the region was sparsely occupied except for the Comanche (a

native tribe) which frequently sent raiding parties into the region.

Few Tejanos, the Spanish-speaking people of the area, lived in the vast northern

part of the region, but instead had set up settlements in the southern part of the

region.

Texas Territory

They were formidable opponents who developed strategies for using traditional

weapons for fighting on horseback. Warfare was a major part of Comanche life.

Comanche raids into Mexico traditionally took place during the full moon, when

the Comanche could see to ride at night. This led to the term "Comanche Moon",

during which the Comanche raided for horses, captives, and weapons.

Opening Texas to Americans

The Mexican government sought skilled settlers to rehabilitate that land and

finally began to advertise for Europeans and Americans.

Most American emigrants came to Texas under the National Colonization Act, in

which they were able to buy cheap land.

In return, immigrants had to become loyal Mexican citizens, learn to speak

Spanish, live under Mexican law, become Roman Catholics, and not own slaves

since slavery was against the Mexican constitution.

Stephen Austin

Stephen Austin founded the town of Washington-on-the-Brazos and had Mexican

authorization emigrate American settlers to Texas. Stephen Austin was successful

when persuaded about 1,500 American families to settle in Texas and founded the

town of Washington-on-the-Brazos.

Stephen Austin

“The Father of Texas”

Texan Insurrection

At first the Americans agreed to Mexican citizenship, but soon too many

Americans immigrated to Texas Territory and refused to adopt Mexican

customs. Very few thought of Mexico as their country and resented the

Mexican government telling them what to do.

The Mexican government could not control the flood of immigrants. Texas

was becoming more American than Mexican. Anglo-American population

outnumbered Hispanics 10 to 1. In 1830 Mexico closed its borders to

immigration by Americans which angered settlers.

Santa Anna

Santa Anna (Mexican dictator) assumed power over the Mexican government

in 1834 and tightened his control over Texas by sending the Mexican army to

control Texas in 1835.

Austin urged Texans to organize an army because he thought that war with

Mexico was certain to happen.

Santa Anna: Mexican President and military general decided to teach the trespassing Texans a lesson.

Come and Take It (Oct 2, 1835)

The first shots of the Texan Revolution were heard at the military post of

Gonzales about 75 miles east of San Antonio. It began when Mexican soldiers

had arrived on October 2, 1835 to reclaim the cannon that had earlier been

loaned to settlers. They were met with gun fire and a defiant "Come and

Take it."

Sam Houston

The Texan army faced difficulties. Few men had military training. They

could not agree who would lead them. Finally, Sam Houston, a former

governor of Tennessee and an experienced military leader who took

command of the Texan army.

Sam Houston launched a rebellion and gained Texas independence from Mexico.

The Alamo (March 6, 1836)

In February 1836, Santa Anna vowed revenge for defeat at Gonzales and the

Texan proclamation of independence. Santa Anna marched the Mexican army

north into Texas.

Santa Anna commanded a force of 6,000 men and laid siege to an old mission

called the Alamo.

The Alamo was defended by 183 Texans. On March 6, 1836, after a two-week

siege of the Alamo, Santa Anna ordered the final attack on the Alamo.

All of the Texan defenders were killed. The Mexicans lost over 1200 men in the

battle.

Over 180 Texas rebels were

at the Alamo, an abandoned

mission in the town. The

small force, commanded by

William B. Travis and

joined by 32 settlers, held off

Santa Anna’s army for 13

days. At this time, the new

Texas government declared

independence from Mexico.

On March 6, 1836, Santa

Anna’s army defeated the

Texans at the Alamo.

Davy Crockett: A former Tennessee congressman felt

strongly in the Texas cause. He was one of five people

captured at the Alamo and executed by General Santa Anna.

The nickname for the Tennessee “Volunteers” came from

the number of Tennessee men who volunteered to fight

and die at the Alamo.

Today, the Alamo is a Texas Shrine

Fun Facts About the Alamo

The Bowie knife: A fearsome 13”

weapon designed by Jim Bowie, one

of the defenders of the Alamo.

Although courageous, many of

the Mexican soldiers were

Indians forced to serve in the

army and did not understand

Spanish and knew little about

firearms. Not properly trained

by their officers, these

infantrymen usually fired their

muskets from the hip to avoid

the mule-like kick of their

heavy muskets.

Massacre at Goliad (March 27, 1836)

After their victory at the Alamo, the Mexican army marched to Goliad. The

Texan defenders at Goliad led by Col. James Fannin surrendered to Santa Anna

without a fight.

On March 27, 1836, between 300-400 prisoners were rounded up and marched

about a mile away from Goliad. The Mexican soldiers, under orders of Santa

Anna, opened fire and massacred the unarmed prisoners. The bodies were

burned and dumped. For weeks, they were left to the elements and gnawed on by

wild animals. When Col. Fannin was told he was to

be executed, he gave his valuables to a

Mexican officer asking that they be

given to his family. He also requested

not to be shot in the head and to have

a decent burial: he was shot in the

head, looted, burned and dumped into

a mass grave. About forty wounded

prisoners, who had been unable to

march, were also executed at the fort.

“Remember the Alamo” and “Remember Goliad”

Word of the Goliad Massacre quickly spread throughout Texas, infuriating the

settlers and rebel Texans. The losses at the Alamo and Goliad united Texans

behind their new country. “Remember the Alamo” and “Remember Goliad,”

became the rallying cry of the angry Texan rebels.

The Battle of San Jacinto was fought on April 21, 1836 when Sam Houston and

his Texas troops launched a surprise attack on the Mexican army which was

caught taking their afternoon siesta [nap].

During the attack Houston’s men yelled, “Remember the Alamo” and

“Remember Goliad.”

The Texans easily beat the Mexican army within eighteen minutes.

Sam Houston: rallied the Texans with the Battle Cry,

“Remember the Alamo” and soundly defeated Santa

Anna six weeks after the Alamo at San Jacinto.

San Jacinto [Part I]

Many wanted Santa Anna hanged for his actions at the Alamo and Goliad.

Instead, Sam Houston gave Santa Anna a choice: “Your Life” or “Recognition of

the Independence of the Republic of Texas.”

Santa Anna signed the treaty giving Texas its independence and was allowed to

return to Mexico.

San Jacinto [Part II]

In order to save his life, [Santa Anna] signed an ignominious agreement that degrades him

and is in every way shameful.

--José Enrique de la Peña Narrative

General Santa Anna wrote to

General Filisola the day after

the battle at San Jacinto,

telling of his capture by the

Texas army and ordering

Filisola to remove the

Mexican army beyond the

Rio Grande.

Map:

Fight for Texas

Independence

The Republic of Texas (1836-1845)

In September 1836, voters elected Sam Houston president of the Republic of

Texas. They also voted for annexation, to become part of the United States.

Many northern members of Congress, however, were against admitting

Texas to the Union. They thought Texas, with its many enslaved persons,

would become a slave state. Texas will remain a republic for the

Sam Houston launched a rebellion and

gained Texas independence from Mexico.

After Texas became its own republic he

served as its first and only President.

Texan independence ushered in

the short-lived Republic of Texas,

known popularly as the Lone Star

Republic. In the years between

1836 and 1848, independent Texas

claimed that its western boundary

was defined by the Rio Grande.

The Mexican government

disagreed, arguing that Texas was

confined to a line beginning at the

Nueces River.

William Henry Harrison and the Election of 1840

William Henry Harrison who was the military hero of the Battle of Tippecanoe

in 1811 against Tecumseh.

Harrison campaigned as the "man of the people," with his famous “Tippecanoe

and Tyler Too” slogan.

Harrison served the shortest time in office as the first president to die in office

(only five weeks after his inauguration)

On the day of his inauguration, Washington D.C. was experiencing freezing rain. Undeterred the new president wore no coat or hat

and delivered his inaugural address which lasted nearly two hours. As a soldier, farmer, and outdoorsman, Harrison had spent

much of his life in bad weather. He followed the address with a round of receptions in his wet clothing. Within days, he had a cold,

which developed into pneumonia.

Doctors were called in, but their medical practices were crude. They applied heated suction cups supposedly to draw out the disease

and the same bleeding tactics that had killed George Washington. This only weakened Harrison further, and three weeks after

taking office, he was clearly dying. As a last resort, a number of Native American "remedies" were tried, including one involving the

use of live snakes. Exactly one month after taking the oath of office, Harrison was dead.

John Tyler

Vice President John Tyler became the new President after the death of

President Harrison. Tyler was not very popular with his own Whig Party

and soon broke with them by vetoing several Whig-sponsored bills and

sought the annexation of Texas. [Make part of the United States.]

Tyler's entire cabinet resigned out of protest.

Tyler was not re-nominated for President and kicked out of Whig Party.

John Tyler was nicknamed "His Accidency." He

became president upon the death of Harrison

and became the first Vice President to succeed to

Presidency.

After his Presidency he briefly returned to

Washington, D.C. to help create a compromise

between the North and South prior to the Civil

War, the effort failed.

He was preparing to take his seat in the

Confederate House of Representatives when he

died on January 18, 1862 at the age of 71.

Because he was considered a traitor, his

obituary was omitted from many northern

newspapers and no flags were allowed to be

flown at half mast which was the customary

recognition of a former President when they

died.

Debate Over the Annexation of Texas

Expansionists feared that an independent Texas would blunt America’s march

into the southwest. Northern Congressmen were against the annexation of

Texas because they thought that it was a pro-slavery plot to gain more power in

Congress.

The Mexican government did not recognize Texas as

independent and became angry about the American

claim to Texas. It saw the annexation of Texas by the

United States as stealing Mexican land.

The Republic of Texas felt vulnerable by possible

Mexican retaliation and an immediate Mexican

attack.

Texas established close diplomatic ties with several

European nations, including Britain and France, in an

effort to protect itself from Mexico.

The Annexation of Texas

Texas was annexed by John Tyler on December 29, 1845, his last day in

office. Texas was formally admitted to the Union became the twenty-eighth

state of the Union.

The Six Flags of Texas

The state of Texas is the only state

in the nation that has been under

six flags, which includes the flags of

Spain, France, Mexico, the Lone

Star Republic of Texas, the

Confederate States of America, and

the United States.

Spain Mexico Republic of Texas Confederate

States of America United States France

American History

Unit 11:

Manifest Destiny (Part III):

Oregon Dispute & the War with Mexico

James K. Polk and the Election of 1844

James K. Polk, a former Congressman and governor of Tennessee, was the

Democratic candidate in the 1844 election. He promised to re-occupy the

Oregon territory and buy California from Mexico.

Henry Clay who opposed expansion of any territory while Polk was a firm

believer in Manifest destiny.

James Polk easily defeated by 170 to 105 Electoral votes.

James K. Polk

Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!

Britain and the United States both claimed Oregon. Polk claimed that the

Oregon Territory belonged to the United States by right of discovery and

demanded it all the way to its northern boarder at latitude 5440 N be added

to the United States.

Those who supported Polk’s stand on Oregon used the slogan “Fifty-four

Forty or Fight.”

The Oregon Dispute Was Diffused

To avoid war with England over the Oregon territory, Polk agreed to split

the territory with Great Britain. In June 1846, the two countries agreed that

the United States would acquire most of Oregon south of 49º north latitude.

The United States accepted a treaty declaring the 49th parallel as the official

boundary and in 1846, Oregon became a US territory.

The New Mexican Territory with its territorial capital of Santa Fe was

controlled by Mexico and consisted of Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah,

and parts of Colorado. Fearing its loss to American settlers as had its Texas

Territory, Mexico prohibited Americans from settling the area.

New Mexico Territory

New Mexico Territory

No Mas

Gringos!

In November 1845, President Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico City as a special

envoy, or representative, and offered to purchase California, Arizona, and

New Mexico for $30 million.

Mexico’s president, Santa Anna refused to meet with Slidell and claimed this

offer as an insult.

Mexico broke diplomatic relations with the United States government and

threatened to go to war against the United States.

New Mexico Territory

When you go see

this Santa Anna… I

want you make him

an offer he can’t

refuse…

“President Polk shared the view of many

fellow countrymen that the Mexican

government was unfit to control the destiny

of that beautiful country" (Herring)

Border Dispute Leads to War

Mexico and the U.S. government disputed the highly contested location of

Texas’s southwestern border. The U.S. claimed the border was the Rio

Grande. The Mexican government claimed the border was at the Nueces

River.

Mr. President… I met

with Senor Santa Anna…

He refused your offer…

The Thornton Affair (April 25, 1846)

President Polk sent a patrol of U.S. cavalry into the disputed territory

between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande. Polk expected little

retaliation from the Mexican government. However, this tension caused

Mexico to retaliate and on April 25, 1846 the Mexican army ambushed the

U.S. patrol killing sixteen U.S. cavalry troops.

American citizens demanded revenge. Polk saw this as his justification to go

to war against Mexico.

It’s on like

Donkey

Kong

War is Declared

May 13, 1846 Congress officially declares war on Mexico. However, not all

Americans wanted a war. War aroused many anti-imperialist reactions and

questions about the future and slave territories. Northern congressmen didn't

want war because they feared it would spread slavery.

Southerners saw a victory as a way to spread slavery and gain an upper hand

in Congress.

Thousands of American volunteers were

authorized by Congress for twelve-month

military service and arrived in the lower Rio

Grande Valley shortly thereafter. “Most

Americans enthusiastically supported the war.

Approximately 75,000 men eagerly enlisted in

volunteer regiments raised by the various

states. Thousands more enlisted in the regular

U.S. Army. There was no need for a draft. In

some places, so many men flocked to recruiting

stations that large numbers had to be turned

away.”

Mexican War (1846-1848)

War fought between the US and Mexico between 1846-1848 that resulted in

the United States taking possession of California and much of the Southwest.

President Polk sent 4000 soldiers under the command of General Zachary

Taylor to the border of the Nueces River.

Battle of Palo Alto (May 8, 1846)

Taylor declares his army victorious after Mexican troops retreat. It was the

first official battle of the Mexican War.

Battle at Resaca de la Palma (May 9, 1846)

The day after the Battle at Palo Alto, Taylor’s troops follow Mexico’s

retreating men to Resaca de la Palma (resaca is the Spanish term for a dry

riverbed) and were again victorious.

Battle of Monterey (July 7, 1846)

General Taylor’s army captured Monterey after fierce hand-to-hand combat

in the city streets.

Mexican War Battles (1846-1848)

August 14, 1846

U.S. Colonel Stephen Watts Kearney, whose first mission was to occupy New

Mexico, rode with troops into its capital of Santé Fe. He found it deserted and

easily took possession.

August-September 1846

Many U.S. volunteers assemble under General John E. Wool, who led them to

go join General Taylor and his troops.

Mexican War Battles (1846-1848)

US-Mexican War

General Winfield Scott

US general who captured Mexico City and forced Mexico to surrender.

General Winfield Scott: Led the Americans to victory during the Mexican War. Many American officers

in this war later fought against each other during the Civil War.

The Mexican War Map

Mexican War (1846-1848): End

V. Mexico surrendered Feb. 2, 1848.

A. The peace treaty was signed at Guadalupe Hidalgo.

1. Mexico ceded all land the U.S. conquered.

2. The United States paid $15 million for the land.

a. Felt guilty about the easy victory.

3. Mexico never forgave U.S. for this war and what we took.

The first war in which graduates of the U.S.

Military Academy at West Point participated.

Among these were a number of officers who

would later face each other across the battle-

fields of the Civil War: Robert E. Lee,

Thomas J. "Stonewall“ Jackson, Braxton Bragg,

Ulysses S. Grant, George Meade, George

McClellan, and William T. Sherman, to name

a few.

The War with Mexico “Number of Firsts"

U.S. Territorial Gains from Mexico

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo

The treaty that ended the US-Mexican War. It required Mexico to surrender

the New Mexico and California territories to the United States in exchange for

financial compensation. Signed on February 2, 1848

Gadsden Purchase

Agreement with Mexico that gave the United States parts of present-day

New Mexico and Arizona in exchange for $ 10 million.

VI. The Gadsden Purchase.

A. The U.S. paid 10 million dollars to Mexico for a small strip of

land south of New Mexico and Arizona.

Manifest Destiny (Part IV):

The Mormons & the California Gold Rush

Mormons

I. Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints.

A. Founded by Joseph Smith

1. Upset mainstream Christianity.

a. Allowed more than one wife (polygamy.)

b. Mormons were forced to move from place to place.

1b. New York to Ohio to Illinois.

c. Joseph Smith was murdered in 1844.

B. Brigham Young became new Mormon leader.

1. Led Mormons to Utah.

a. Salt Lake City was founded by Mormons.

Joseph Smith was murdered in 1844

Brigham Young: He took over

the Mormons after Joseph Smith

was murdered. His great-great

grandson was Steve Young,

former QB for San Francisco.

Brigham Young had 57 children

with 16 of his 27 wives.

Joseph Smith

Why Were Mormons Hated?

Polygamy- The practice of having more than one wife.

California Gold Rush: Discovery

I. The California Gold Rush.

A. Mexico never knew it, but gold was found in California in

January 1848.

1. One month before Mexico surrendered.

B. Gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill by James Marshall.

1. Along the American River near Sacramento, Ca.

a. Largest human migration in history begun.

Sutter’s Mill

Gold Fever

C. The 49ners (1849 settlers)

D. San Francisco grew from small town to a city overnight.

1. Murder and robberies increased

1a. Vigilantes groups formed to stop crime.

Vigilantes: Brought frontier

justice to California. Most of

the victims were Chinese

immigrants.

Gold Fever: Mining

Nuggets

Flakes

Dust

Mining for gold often was

backbreaking labor. Miners

frequently mined all day for only a

few flakes of gold. Only a very few

ever struck it rich.

Some miners bought expensive

devices to help them search for

gold.

Routes to the California Gold Fields 1848 # 1

By Sea

Method:

Sailed around Cape Horn and South America.

Distance:

17,000 Miles

Time of travel:

5-8 Months

Hazards:

Storms and seasickness.

Advantages:

Little disease and safest mode of travel.

Cost:

About $300.00

Routes to the California Gold Fields 1848 # 2

By Sea and Land

Method:

Sailed through the Isthmus of Panama

Distance:

5,500 Miles

Time of travel:

3-3 1/2 Months

Hazards:

Storms, overcrowded ships, and disease.

Advantages:

Fastest mode of travel, open all year.

Cost:

About $400.00

Routes to the California Gold Fields 1848 # 3

By Land

Method:

Overland by wagons and carts.

Distance:

2,000 Miles

Time of travel:

4 Months (at 20 miles a day)

Hazards:

Heat, fever, hostile Indians, an diseases.

Advantages:

Cheapest cost of travel.

Cost:

Personal traveling expenses-

Wagons, mules, equipment, and food.

Posters such as this one lured thousands of Americans living in the East to California. Many of these

posters were placed by greedy scam artists to lure people to California with false reports of huge gold

strikes.

Gold Fever: Advertising

Levi Strauss: A German immigrant made his fortunes by

selling pants made out of tent material. These pants were

more durable than other material. Today, we call these

pants “Levis” or jeans.

Levi Strauss

Gold Fever: Fun Facts

Thousands of get-rich-quick

prospectors went to California to

strike it rich. Many lost their

savings and went bankrupt. They

became known as the 49ners.

A NFL football team is named after

them.

Gold Rush of 1849

Attracted thousands to California and eventually led to statehood for the

territory in 1850.

California settlers were called "49ers."

Brigham Young & the Mormons

Mormons- Moved west to escape religious persecution and found their own

settlement in what is today Utah.

Brigham Young- Led the Mormons to Salt Lake City, Utah.

Mining Towns and

“Boom Towns” Map

Boom Towns

I. Precious metals (gold, silver, copper, and lead.)

A. These sought after metals were found out west.

1. Miners and other prospectors rushed to mining sites to "strike it rich."

B. Mining towns grew almost overnight.

1. Pike's Peak, Co., Virginia City, NV, Deadwood, Dakota Territory.

C. By 1890, $300 million in gold and silver was mined from the Rocky

Mountains.

1. Mining towns were rough places to live.

a. Salons, gunfights, hookers, and whiskey.

b. When mines quit producing metals, the towns died. (ghost towns)

Compromise of 1850

Congress admitted California as a free state on September 9, 1850.