Manifest Destiny

Was the United States justified in expanding to the Pacific?

Texas – The Lone Star Republic Mexico offered land grants to Americans During 1830s, Mexico leader Santa Anna banned

slavery and suppressed Americans’ rights Texas settlers declared independence “Remember the Alamo”

Santa Anna surrounded and captured the Alamo Became rallying cry for Americans

Stephen Austin – First colonial leader in TX Sam Houston – Hero of war and Governor of TX

Texas was Denied Admission to U.S.

Arguments for Admission Argument against Admission

-Manifest Destiny-Lone Star Republic might fall under foreign influence

-Would extend slavery-Would increase Southern power in congress

Oregon

U.S. Land Claims British Land Claims

-Captain Robert Gray (1792)-Lewis and Clark (1804-1806)

-Sir Francis Drake (1579)-Hudson Bay Company – fur trading

Treaty of 1818 – Joint Occupation of Territory

Oregon Trail – Thousands of Americans migrated each year

“54-40 or Fight!” – U.S. wanted this latitude to be the Northern border

Treaty of 1846 – Boundary set @ 49th Parallel; southern portion became states of WA, OR, ID, MT, & WY

Mexican-American War

Causes of War

Dispute over Southern Border of TX Pres. Polk ordered Gen. Zachary

Taylor into disputed territory Mexican troops attacked

“American blood on American soil” (?)

America’s first foreign war.

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo (1848) Mexico recognized Rio Grande as southern

border Mexico ceded New Mexico & California

Mexican Cession - 500,000 sq. miles for $15 mil.

Gadsden Purchase (1853) US purchased southern portions of AZ and NM to

build RR to the Pacific