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Explore how the concept of manifest destiny impacted westward movement in the United States, including the Texas Revolution and the Mexican War, and the challenges faced during this tumultuous period of expansion across North America.
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Manifest Destiny Standards: 2.1 Explain the impact and challenges of westward movement 2.2 Explain how the concept of manifest destiny affected United States’ relationships with foreign powers, including the role of the Texas Revolution and the Mexican War Original Source: Susan Pojer
“Manifest Destiny” • First coined in the 1800’s. • The belief that Americans had a God-given right to all the land in North America • ".... the right of our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federative development of self-government entrusted to us. It is right such as that of the tree to the space of air and the earth suitable for the full expansion of its principle and destiny of growth." • A myth of the West as a land of romance and adventure emerged.
The Pony Express • Delivered news and mail between St. Louis, MO and San Francisco, CA. • Took 10 days.
The Oregon Dispute: 54’ 40º or Fight! • By the mid-1840s,“Oregon Fever” wasspurred on by thepromise of free, fertile land. • The joint British-U. S.occupation ended in1846. • “Fifty-four Forty or Fight was the battle slogan that referred to the latitude and N. limit of Oregon. • US and Britain were able to peacefully divide the land.
Texas Independence (1836-1845)
Invitation to move to Texas • To protect the border, the Mexico government encouraged American settlers to settle in Texas. • Mexico offered to land grants to agents who then attracted settlers. • The condition of the invitation was cheap land in exchange for following Mexican laws and observing the Catholicism. • The most successful agent was Stephen F. Austin. • More and more American settlers poured into TX. • The US even began to discuss moving the US border to the Rio Grande. • Mexico refused to sell TX to the US and soon regretted its invitation to American settlers.
Problems Arise • Issues over slavery: • Most settlers were Southerners who brought their slaves with them • Mexico had abolished slavery • Mexico wanted the settlers to free their slaves • More and more Americans poured into TX. • Stephen Austin went to Mexico City to appeal to the Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. • Austin was imprisoned and rebellions broke out. • The Texas Revolution had begun!
Key Figures in Texas Independence, 1836 Sam Houston(1793-1863) Steven Austin(1793-1836)
Remember the Alamo! • Austin argued with Santa Anna for TX self-government. • Determined to make TX obey, Santa Anna sent troops to San Antonio, meanwhile Texans armed themselves. • In late 1835, the Texans were able to force the Mexican forces from the Alamo, an old mission and fort. • The Mexican forces swept back around and destroyed the Texan forces at the Alamo. • 187 American troops were killed including Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. • “Remember the Alamo” became the battle cry for TX independence.
Texas Republic • 6 weeks after the Alamo, TX forces led by Sam Houston defeated Mexican forces at the battle of San Jacinto. • Texans were granted independence! • Sam Houston became president of the Texas Republic. • The “lone star republic” set up their own military. • On Dec. 29, 1845 Texas became the 28th state in the Union.
The Mexican War (1846-1848)
The Slidell Mission: Nov., 1845 • President Polk wanted not only TX but New Mexico and California territory as well. • Disputed with Mexican government over the TX-US border. • US offered to buy the Southwest territory from Mexico. • When Mexico refused, President Polk sent troops to the US-Mexico border at the Rio Grande. • Mexico viewed this action as a violation of their rights! • Plus, Polk sent troops through the CA territory.
General Zachary Taylor at Palo Alto “Old Rough and Ready”
Wilmot Proviso, 1846 Provided, territory from that, as an express and fundamental condition to the acquisition of any the Republic of Mexico by the United States, by virtue of any treaty which may be negotiated between them, and to the use by the Executive of the moneys herein appropriated, neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory, except for crime, whereof the party shall first be duly convicted. Congr. David Wilmot(D-PA)
War begins!! • Mexico sent troops to meet the US troops at the Rio Grande. • In a skirmish, 9 American soldiers were killed. • Polk argued that by shedding “American blood on American soil”, Mexico had begun the war. • Troops marched in CA territory and declared California free from Mexico. • US troops pushed into Mexico for over a year. They were able to capture Mexico City and won every battle.
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848 Nicholas Trist,American Negotiator
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848 The Treaty was basically forced on Mexico! • Mexico gave up claims to Texas above the Rio Grande River. • Mexico gave the U. S. California and New Mexico. • U. S. gave Mexico $15,000,000 and agreed to pay the claims of American citizens against Mexico(over $3,500,000). • This war and treaty created an adversarial relationship between the US and Mexico. (Some say resentments are still felt in the controversy over immigration!)
Results of the Mexican War? The 17-month war cost $100,000,000 and 13,000+American lives (mostly of disease). New territories were brought into the Union which forced the explosive issue of SLAVERY to the center of national politics.* Brought in 1 million sq. mi. of land (incl. TX) These new territories would upset the balance of power between North and South. Created two popular Whig generals who ran for President. Manifest Destiny partially realized.
Unresolved Issues & New Opportunities
GOLD! At Sutter’s Mill, 1848 John A. Sutter
California Gold Rush, 1849 49er’s
Two Views of San Francisco, Early 1850s • CA population: • Chinese were the largest from overseas. • Free blacks came in droves • The fastest growing population was Mexicans • By 1860, almost 300,000people had traveled theOregon & CaliforniaTrails to the Pacificcoast.
