The American Journey Chapter 11: Manifest Destiny

1. The American JourneyChapter 11: Manifest Destiny Section 1: Westward to the Pacific

2. Oregon Country • From the 1840’s to the 1850’s, thousands of families set out for Oregon Country. • It was the huge area between the Rockies and the Pacific Ocean. • Four nations claimed it: The U.S., Britain, Spain, and Russia. • The U.S. based its claim partially on Lewis & Clark’s explorations.

3. Gaining Oregon • In 1818, Secretary of State John Quincy Adams worked out a deal with Britain for joint occupation of Oregon. • This meant either country’s settlers could move in. • In 1819, Secretary of State Adams had negotiated with Spain, who gave up their claim to Oregon. • The Adams-Onís Treaty • In 1824, Russia also ceded its claim.

4. The Fur Trade & Mountain Men • The first Americans to settle Oregon were fur traders out to trap beavers. • In 1808 John Jacob Astor set up the American Fur Company. • Fur companies hired mountain men, fur trappers who often took on Native American wives and lifestyles and lived in the mountains.

5. Carving Out a Life in the Wilderness • Mountain men explored the mountains as they hunted beaver. • Robert Stuart and Jedediah Smith discovered South Pass through the Rockies, later the main route to Oregon. • Eventually beavers were scarce, and mountain men had to live in the wilderness as guides. It’s completely ridiculous how many beaver clip-art images there are. But can I find anything on the Trail of Tears? Nope. I mean…a beaver playing lacrosse?!

6. Settling Oregon • Fertile western lands and economic troubles in the East made Oregon look really good. • Many of the first settlers were Christian missionaries. • In the early 1840’s, “Oregon fever” struck, and thousands of families in the Mississippi Valley set out on “the great migration.” • Emigrants are people who leave their home. • Most emigrants left from Independence, Missouri and followed the Oregon Trail.

7. The Oregon Trail • The Oregon Trail took settlers across the Great Plains, along the Platte River, through the South Pass of the Rockies, along the Snake and Columbia Rivers, and into the Willamette Valley of Oregon. • As the American population of Oregon increased from 500 to 5,000, the question of ownership again came up. • Britain’s population in Oregon remained at 700.

8. The Oregon Trail The Oregon Trail wasn’t easy. 

9. Manifest Destiny • Many began to feel that the United States was destined to occupy all of the continent. • Newspaper editor John O’Sullivan said in 1819 that it was America’s Manifest Destiny. • Manifest Destiny was the belief that God provided the continent for Americans to possess, from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

10. “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight” • In 1844, Democrats nominated James K. Polk for president. • Whigs nominated Henry Clay. • Polk won the election when he and Democrats strongly called for sole American possession of Oregon. • The rallying cry “Fifty-four Forty or Fight” referred to the line of latitude they felt should be the Northern boundary of American Oregon. • In 1846 the line was set at the compromise of 49ºN.

11. The American JourneyChapter 11: Manifest Destiny Section 2: Independence for Texas

12. Conflict Over Texas • In 1803 Jefferson had bought the Louisiana Purchase from France, formerly Spain’s. • The U.S. claimed Texas as part of it. • Spain protested, and in 1819 the U.S. backed off. • Texas was mostly populated with Natives and Tejanos, Mexicans who called Texas home.

13. Conflict Over Texas • Spain wanted to promote growth in Texas. • Spain recruited empresarios, Spanish citizens who agreed to move to Texas and were given vast tracts of land. • In 1821 Mexico declared independence from Spain. • By 1830 there were more white settlers in Texas than Mexicans, and Stephen F. Austin encouraged American settlers and trade. • American settlers refused to adopt Mexican culture.

14. Conflict Over Texas • In 1830, Mexico issued a decree, an official order, banning immigration from the U.S. and taxed goods coming into Texas from the U.S. • This decree angered Texans like Austin who depended on trade with the U.S. and encouraged immigration. • Slave-owners in Texas also feared Mexico would end slavery there. • Many American settlers like Austin called for Texas to break from Mexico.

15. Conflict Over Texas • In 1833, Mexican president General Antonio López de Santa Anna removed the immigration ban. • However, he also became a dictator and overthrew the Mexican constitution. • He also had Stephen F. Austin jailed for calling for independence. • In 1835 war officially broke out between Texas and Mexico.

16. War Between Texas and Mexico • Texas offered free land to war volunteers. • Davy Crockett answered the call, among others. • Crockett was a famous hunter and Congressman. • In 1835, Texans took San Antonio from a larger Mexican force. • But General Santa Anna struck back. • In 1835, Santa Anna’s forces marched north and attacked a Texan army barricaded in a mission called the Alamo. • Soldiers in the Alamo included Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, and American commander William B. Travis.

17. The Alamo • Texans held the Alamo for 13 days. • But on March 6, 1836, Mexican troops used cannons to break open the Alamo and kill the whole Texan force. • Though Texans lost the Battle of the Alamo, it inspired Texans and bought them time. • During the battle, Texan leaders met with Mexican leaders and declared independence. • The Republic of Texas was now its own country.

18. Texan Independence • The war was not over, however. • Texas’ temporary government named Sam Houston as commander in chief of the armed forces. • Texas was still full of Mexican soldiers. • Houston ordered the city of Goliad abandoned, but they met Mexican forces. • General Santa Anna had the prisoners executed.

19. Texan Independence • Houston regrouped with 900 troops. • Houston attacked General Santa Anna’s troops at San Jacinto. • “Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!” • General Santa Anna’s troops were defeated, and Santa Anna was captured. • On May 14, 1836, Santa Anna signed a treaty recognizing Texas’ independence. • Sam Houston was elected Texas’ president.

20. To Annex or Not to Annex? • Houston sent a delegation to President Jackson asking the U.S. to annex, take control of, Texas. • Jackson refused to add another slave state. • President Van Buren also avoided annexing Texas. • Once John Tyler became president (after Harrison died—cough, cough), he supported Texas’ annexation. • But Senate still refused to ratify the treaty.

21. Texas Becomes a State • Finally, during the 1844 election, Democratic candidate James K. Polk supported annexation and won the presidency. • Henry Clay initially opposed annexing Texas, meaning he lost yet another election. • The feeling of Manifest Destiny was growing strong. • On Dec. 29, 1845, Senate passed a resolution to add Texas as a state.

22. The American JourneyChapter 11: Manifest Destiny Section 3: War With Mexico

23. New Mexico Territory • In the early 1800’s New Mexico referred to a large area containing all of present-day N.M., Az. and Nv., and parts of Co. and Ut. • In 1610 the Spanish founded Santa Fe. • When Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821, it inherited New Mexico. • Spain wanted Americans to stay out, fearing they’d take over; but Mexico welcomed American settlers into New Mexico, hoping more trade would boost the economy.

24. The Santa Fe Trail • In 1821, William Becknell, the first American trader, arrived in New Mexico from Missouri. • His trail became known as the Santa Fe Trail. • Missouri River (near Independence, Missouri)  across prairies  Arkansas River  Rocky Mtns.  into New Mexico. • Hundreds of Americans began using the trail for trade. • Eventually the spirit of Manifest Destiny encouraged Americans to annex New Mexico. • They also eyed the Mexican territory of California.

25. California’s Spanish Culture • The earliest Europeans to settle California were Spanish missionaries. • Juan Bautista de Anza established the first settlement at San Francisco in 1776. • Seven years before, Gaspar de Portolá and Padre Junípero Serra established a string of missions from San Diego to Sonoma • “El Camino Real”—The King’s Highway • The Spanish used the missions mainly to colonize California and Christianize (and essentially enslave) the Native Americans in California. • By 1820, Ca. had 21 missions with 20,000 Natives.

26. California After 1821 • When Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821, it also gained California as one of its states. • In 1833, Mexico abolished the Spanish mission system. • Instead, they gave some of the lands to Natives and sold the rest. • Mexican settlers called rancheros (ranch owners) bought the lands and built huge ranchos.

27. Manifest Destiny and California • Much like in New Mexico, the Mexican government at first welcomed American settlers to California. • In 1839, John Sutter was granted land in the Sacramento area, and he set up a trading post. • Many people began moving into California: • Agents from American trading companies • Fur traders from Oregon • Merchants from New Mexico • In the 1840’s many families began moving to California from Missouri, taking the Oregon Trail and turning south after the Rocky Mountains.

28. Manifest Destiny and California • Still, the American population was only around 700 by 1845, most of the people living in the Sacramento River Valley. • Americans, like John C. Frémont, began to see advantages to having California. • Great climate • Sea access (trading ports) • Natural resources • Transcontinental power • Plus, ports could be built for trade with China and Japan, and two oceans would offer protection.

29. War With Mexico • President James K. Polk offered twice to buy New Mexico and California from Mexico, but they declined. • He wanted transcontinental power, but… • …like many who believed in Manifest Destiny, Polk thought that California and New Mexico belonged to the U.S. because it was our destiny. • He plotted to take them by force. • However, he wanted to ensure that Mexico attacked first, thereby giving him an excuse for war.

30. War With Mexico • Relations between the U.S. and Mexico were becoming strained. • Mexico claimed that the annexation of Texas in 1845 had been illegal. • The two countries also disagreed over the border between Mexico and Texas. • The U.S. said the border was the Rio Grande. • Mexico claimed the border was the Nueces River, 150 miles north of the Rio Grande. • Because of the dispute, Mexico stopped paying American citizens for losses during Mexico’s war for independence.

31. War With Mexico • President Polk sent an agent, John Slidell, to offer Mexico $30 million for both territories. • Mexico had to recognize the Rio Grande as the border between Mexico and Texas. • The U.S. agreed to take over Mexico’s war payments. • The Mexican government refused to meet. • In 1846 Polk sent General Zachary Taylor across the Nueces into the disputed area. • Taylor built a fort there, which Mexico attacked. • Polk had his reason for war, and on May 9, Congress declared war on Mexico.

32. Divisions Over War • The war divided Americans. • Southerners and Democrats, and most newspapers, supported the actions. • Many were upset about the “unjust war,” however. • Northerners and Whigs accused Democrats of waging war to spread slavery into N.M. • Congressman Abraham Lincoln demanded to know the exact location of the attack, saying the territory was clearly in Mexico. • Former slave Frederick Douglass said the war was disgraceful and would result in the spread of slavery.

33. Polk’s War Plan • Polk planned to drive Mexico out of the disputed border region in Texas. • Then, his forces would move into N.M. & Ca. • Finally, he’d take Mexico’s capital, Mexico City. • In Sept. 1846, General Zachary Taylor’s forces crossed the Rio Grande and captured the Mexican city of Monterrey. • Five months later, he won again at Buena Vista. • The Texas border was securely American.

34. Polk’s War Plan • While Taylor was advancing in northern Mexico, General Stephen Watts Kearney and 1,500 troops along the Santa Fe Trail and captured Santa Fe without firing a shot. • New Mexico was captured. • Kearney and his forces then moved west toward California.

35. The Bear Flag Republic • Meanwhile, unaware of the war in Mexico, John C. Frémont and Kit Carson declared that they would seize California. • Frémont and Carson, along with a small band, captured the Northern California town of Sonoma. • They proclaimed California an independent republic, called The Bear Flag Republic. • Their flag had a bear and a star on it, which California’s flag still has today. • Frémont and Carson’s actions outraged the local Californios, Mexicans who lived in California. • They supported local control of the government, but opposed Americans seizing the land.

36. The Annexation of California • In 1846, U.S. naval forces under Commodore John Sloat captured Monterey and San Francisco. • Sloat declared California annexed to the U.S. • Sloat’s forces, along with Frémont and Carson, then captured San Diego and moved north to Los Angeles. • Kit Carson marched east to declare California’s capture, joining up with Kearney, who was marching west from Santa Fe. • By 1847, California was in American hands.

37. The Capture of Mexico City • Also in 1847, American forces under General Winfield Scott sailed to Mexico and marched inland 300 miles. • By Mid-September, the city had been captured, and Mexico surrendered the Mexican-American War.

38. The Annexation of California • Finally in 1848, Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. • Mexico gave up all claims to Texas and recognized the Rio Grande as the Texan border. • Also, in the Mexican Cession, Mexico ceded, gave up, California and New Mexico to America. • In return, Mexico got $15 million, half President Polk’s 1846 offer. • In 1853, the U.S. gave Mexico another $10 million for the Gadsden Purchase, a small strip of southern Arizona and New Mexico. • The mainland U.S. was now its current size.

39. The American JourneyChapter 11: Manifest Destiny Section 4: New Settlers in California and Utah

40. Gold Rush! • On January 24, 1848, James Marshall discovered gold in California’s American River. • The river ran through John Sutter’s mill. • Sutter tried to keep the discovery quiet, but over 100,000 people flocked to California between 1848 and 1849 in the Gold Rush. • These people are called forty-niners. • By the end of 1848, $6 million ($100 m. in today’s dollars) had been taken from the river. Not those 49ers.

41. Immigration and Land Problems • Many people came to California. • Most came overland using the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails, but many sailed in from the East Coast. • Many also came from China, America’s first Asian immigrants. • Under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Californios were guaranteed citizenship and land. • When forty-niners came to California, many claimed land already owned by Californios. • The Land Law of 1851 set up land ownership reviews, and many Californios lost their land.

42. California Life • As settlers moved into California, boomtowns, gold-mining communities sprang up. • Cities also grew. • San Francisco became the largest city west of the Mississippi River. • Most forty-niners had no clue how to mine. • Most picked at hillsides or “panned” in the river. • Most devastating were powerful water cannons, which stripped away rock and caused silt to destroy farms and erode hillsides.

43. California Life • Although the world’s supply of gold more than doubled, most miners found little lasting wealth. • Merchants did very well, however, charging whatever they liked for food and goods. $$$ • There were very few women, and most men fell into loneliness, drunkenness, and gambling. • Robberies and murders were daily occurrences, and there was no real police force. • Vigilantes (or vigilance committees) were ordinary citizens who took the law into their own hands as police, judge, jury, and executioner.

44. California Expands • Although the Gold Rush had ended, it permanently changed California. • Most forty-niners stayed. • California’s population grew from 20,000 to 220,000 (1,100%) in four years. • Because of the rapid expanse, California applied for statehood in 1850. • But because it applied as a non-slave state, Southerners in Congress rejected the idea. • Congress eventually worked out the Compromise of 1850, and California was admitted as a free state.

45. The Mormons Are Coming! • In 1830, Joseph Smith of N.Y. claimed to have visions that led him to found the Mormon church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). • He believed all property should be communal, and that a man should have many wives (polygamy). • Mormon beliefs were disliked across the U.S., and Smith was killed by a mob in 1844.

46. The Mormons Are Coming! • Brigham Young took over and moved the Mormons near Great Salt Lake in present-day Utah. • Young eventually became the Utah Territory’s governor when the U.S. acquired the area from Mexico. • Because they resisted federal laws, Utah did not become a state until 1896.