Our Great Land…

1. Our Great Land… From sea to shining sea….

2. Let’s see that map

3. It is your destiny… • Manifest Destiny – • “Away, away with all these cobweb tissues of rights of discovery, exploration, settlement… The American claim is by the right of our manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent with Providence has given for the development of the great experiment of liberty.” • Magazine editor John L. O’Sullivan coined the phrase Manifest Destiny in 1845 (Well after the Louisiana Purchase, although this might have encouraged the spread of the philosophy!)

4. Some things that helped to contribute to the M.D. • Convention of 1818 – Great Britain and the U.S. agree to jointly occupy the Oregon Territory for 10 years. • Adams – Onis Treaty (1819)– In this treaty, the Spanish gave up Florida for $5,000,000 and the American assurance they would not pursue Texas • Andrew Jackson forced this issue because he invaded Florida chasing Seminole Indians. When he invaded, he claimed the Spanish Territory as American land

5. Monroe’s Doctrine • Not really the acquiring of more land, but concern about European power on the American continent. • Spain lost its grip on many of its colonies in the Western hemisphere (Florida was just one of many). • These new countries were weak and open to invasion (similar to America in its early years). • Americans supported the rebellions, as they were inspired by the American Revolution. • The U.S. government officially recognized these new countries. • The United States becomes concerned as France seems to be helping Spain to regain lost territory and Russia extends its territorial claims in the Pacific closer to the United States. • President James Monroe (5th) made these remarks in October of 1823 to other nations of the world, which would become known as the Monroe Doctrine: • “We would view an interference on the part of the European powers [into Latin America] as an attack on ourselves.” James Monroe

6. Slavery Rears it’s Head • Missouri Compromise: • As the country continued to spread, the issue of slavery continued to be a big issue • In the early 1800’s, Congress was split evenly between slave states and non slave states. If a new state entered the mix, it would cause political imbalance in government. • Discussion led to the agreement that if Missouri came into the nation, then Maine would enter as a free state. • In the Louisiana Territory, any territory north of the 36º latitude would be a free state and any area to the south would be a slave state. • “This momentous question, like a fire-bell in the night, awakened me and filled me with terror. I considered it at once as the death knell of the Union. It is hushed, indeed, for the moment. But… every new irritation will mark it deeper and deeper.” Thomas Jefferson

7. Now read about Texas and Mexico • Now…. Open your text book to page 306 and answer the remaining questions. • A hint for reading productively • Have an understanding of what the content of the questions are asking you. For the most part, you are NOT looking for definitions! So…… READ ALL OF IT FIRST! Then answer the questions! Trust me… it goes faster this way.