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Westward Expansion

Westward Expansion. 1820 - 1850. Themes. US acquires TX, OR, CA, and Southwest through military conquest as well as negotiations Manifest Destiny. Expansion. 1790 - 890,000 square miles to 3 million in 1850. Texas. Mexico declares independence from Spain 1820

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Westward Expansion

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  1. Westward Expansion 1820 - 1850

  2. Themes • US acquires TX, OR, CA, and Southwest through military conquest as well as negotiations • Manifest Destiny

  3. Expansion • 1790 - 890,000 square miles to 3 million in 1850

  4. Texas • Mexico declares independence from Spain 1820 • Mexico struggled to maintain and protect borders • In early 1820s about 3,000 US illegal immigrants in Mexico • Mexican Government responded with Mexican Colonization Law - legislation to encourage immigrants to become loyal Mexican citizens

  5. Mexican Colonization Law • American immigrants could receive a League and Labor of land if: • Became Mexican citizens • Obeyed Mexican laws • Mexico abolished slavery in 1829 • Converted to Catholicism • League = 4,400 acres of grazing land • Labor = 170 acres of farmland • Many Americans took advantage and established cotton plantations

  6. Stephen Austin • Most successful American to become Mexican citizen • Empresario - led American families to Texas • Empresarios facilitated relocation of American families • Agents received land grants in return for recruiting settlers

  7. Texans • 35,000 Americans moved by 1835 • Most lived in the region of Coahuila y Texas • Texans did not conform to tenets of Colonization Law • Spoke English • Practiced Protestantism • Tension arose between Texans and Mexican government

  8. Road to War • Texans and Tejanos wanted more autonomy • Santa Ana implemented laws to limit power of Mexican states • Led to Texas War for Independence • 1835 – 1836 • Texans and Tejanos vs. Mexico • Sam Houston led Texan army • Some American involvement but nothing official from US govt

  9. Texas War for Independence • Battle of the Alamo • 187 Texans vs. 5,000 Mexicans • “Remember the Alamo” – battle cry • All in the mission were killed including Davey Crocket and Jim Bowie • Goliad – Santa Ana calls for execution of 350 Texan rebels • San Jacinto – Santa Ana unaware and Texas victory ends the war • Santa Ana forced to sign peace treaty

  10. Lone Star Republic • Texans won independence from Mexico and attempted to join the US • 1836 – 1845 Texas was an independent nation • Lone Star Republic • Tensions over slavery prevents admission to Union • Sam Houston was first President

  11. Border Problems • Texans claim expansive territory • Mexico says border is along the Nueces River

  12. Manifest Destiny • Exists for decades but gains larger presence in 1840s • Nation’s pre-determined destiny was to expand from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean • Spread of democracy • Critics argue that the US wasn’t very democratic • Slavery, Indian removal policy, women’s rights

  13. Manifest Destiny • Term from journalist John O’Sullivan • “Our manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federative self-government entrusted to us.”

  14. Election of 1844 • James Polk (TN) • Platform supports Manifest Destiny - Promises to acquire OR, TX, and CA • Retire after one term as President • Wins Democrat nomination • Henry Clay (KY) • Wins Whig nomination • Underestimated public support of M.D.

  15. James Knox Polk • Polk wins • Congress votes to annex TX and in 1845 TX enters Union • “Lacking charm, Polk bored even his friends, but few presidents could match his record of acquiring land for the United States.”

  16. This campaign banner celebrating the candidacy of James K. Polk and George M. Dallas on the Democratic ticket carries a subtle message conveying the party's platform. Surrounding Polk's picture are twenty-five stars, one for each state in the Union. Outside the corner box, a twenty-sixth star stands for Texas, which Polk promised to annex.

  17. Oregon • Territory jointly occupied by GB and US • Americans outnumber British especially in Willamette River Valley • “54° 40’ or Fight!” • Polk argued America’s claim extended into Canada • Oregon Treaty 1846 – compromise with GB • Established 49th Parallel • GB control over all of Vancouver Island

  18. California and the Southwest • Polk wanted to avoid war • Sent diplomat to purchase CA, NM, and gain recognition of US sovereignty over Texas • Polk wanted Rio Grande River as border • Mexico refused offer and the land is dispute led to increased tensions • Polk sends Zachary Taylor and US troops • Troops attacked and war is declared

  19. Mexican – American War • 1846 – 1848 • Polk and allies welcomed war • Many in US unsupportive • Thought Polk undermined Congressional power to declare war • Concerned over expansion of slavery • War of conquest

  20. U.S. soldiers commonly wore tall hats known as shako caps during the Mexican War. The caps were adorned with decorative plates showing the eagle spreading its wings, the symbol of Manifest Destiny.

  21. Mexican War • Zachary Taylor • Battle of Buena Vista • US outnumbered and battle was a draw • Mexican forces led by Santa Ana (out of exile) retreated • Stephen Kearney • Led forces from KS to New Mexico and captured Santa Fe without firing a shot • John C. Fremont • Helped overthrow California 1846 • Winfield Scott • Occupied Mexico City (Sept. 1847)

  22. The Mexican War’s decisive campaign began with General Winfield Scott’s capture of Vera Cruz and ended with his conquest of Mexico City.

  23. Mexican War • 13,000 Americans died • War and diseases • Officers gained experience including Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant • Many Mexicans became resentful of the US

  24. This map shows the territory disputed between the United States and Mexico. After U.S. gains in northeastern Mexico, in New Mexico, and in California, General Winfield Scott captured Mexico City in the decisive campaign of the war.

  25. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo • Generous terms for US • Rio Grande border • Mexican Cession: • US acquired CA and other land in SW • NV, UT, WY, CO, NM, AZ • US paid Mexico $15 million • Critics of Treaty • Polk and other expansionists hoped to acquire all of Mexico

  26. Question • Supporters of Polk argue he was a great American President for fulfilling promises while critics claim his tactics to accomplish goals were unsavory; how would you evaluate the presidency of James Polk? Use evidence to support your position.

  27. Traveling to the West • Why? • Religion • Mormons • Founded by Joseph Smith (1820s finds tablets, published in 1830s) • Settled in Illinois after fleeing from persecution • Texts seemed to undermine the Bible • Actions appeared to violate seperation of church and state • Members voted in “blocks” while Smith served as mayor and religious leader • Accused of practices – polygamy (1841) • Smith murdered in 1844, church was leaderless

  28. Mormon Church • Brigham Young • Emerged as leader following Smith’s death • Wanted to practice religion free of persecution • Migration to Utah in 1847 to practice in isolation • Experiences likened to that of the Puritans • Establish a utopian community

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