1. The belief that America should spread from coast to coast!
Manifest Destiny
The belief that America should spread from coast to coast!

2. American Progress by George A. Crofutt and John Gast
Who is the woman in white?
What two objects is she holding?
What are the pioneers doing?
What types of transportation can be seen?
What are the Native Americans and animals doing?
What direction are they traveling?
What is your opinion of manifest destiny as it is depicted in this painting?
American Progress by George A. Crofutt and John Gast

4. Belief that the US should expand its territory from coast to coast
“Manifest Destiny”
Belief that the US should expand its territory from coast to coast

5. Reasons for Manifest Destiny: Economic
Belief that people could become more wealthy (Gold Rush, plantation system, natural resources)
Land speculators bought huge tracts of land and sold it for a profit

6. Reasons for Manifest Destiny: Social
Racism- lack of concern for Natives, desire to expand slavery
Escape from religious persecution (Mormons)
Famine and economic struggles in Europe
Irish potato famine ( )
Belief that all people should own plot of land to keep the country free (“American Dream”)

7. Reasons for Manifest Destiny: Political
Fear of foreign powers invading
Spanish, French, English, and Mexican
Desire to spread Democracy and the “American” way of life
Desire to spread the institution of slavery west
Slave states = Southern support in Congress

8. US Territorial Expansion
A - 13 Original Colonies
When? A
1776
From Where?
Great Britain
Why?
Colonies declared independence from Great Britain

9. US Territorial Expansion
B - Western Lands
When?
1783
From Where?
Great Britain
Why? A B
Result of Treaty of Paris 1783 (ended Revolutionary War)

10. US Territorial Expansion
When?
1803
C - Louisiana Purchase
From Where?
France
Why?
Napoleon needed money
Jefferson wanted New Orleans
He got all of this instead for 15 mil ! A C B

11. US Territorial Expansion
When?
D - Florida
1819
From Where?
Spain
Why? A
Adams-Onis Treaty (1819)
Spain sold it to U.S. for $5 million C B D

12. E, S, or P?
Each one of the following speakers represents someone living during the mid 1800’s. Read each speakers quote, and decide their motivation for moving West. Are they relocating for ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, or POLTICAL reasons?

13. “I am a farmer in Missouri
“I am a farmer in Missouri. The land is wearing out from years of growing crops, and I need new farmland in order to provide for my family.” E, S or P?

14. “I am a Texan living in the Republic of Texas
“I am a Texan living in the Republic of Texas. I am worried about our republic’s economy and safety. We need to become part of the United States.” E, S or P?

15. “I am a congressman from the North
“I am a congressman from the North. I want to expand the great democracy of America all the way across the continent.” E, S or P?

16. “I am a missionary. I want to share my religion with the Native Americans in the West.” E, S or P?

17. “I am a Mormon facing persecution for my religious beliefs
“I am a Mormon facing persecution for my religious beliefs. I need to find a place to live where I can practice my religion freely.” E, S or P?

18. “I am a fur trader living west of the Mississippi River
“I am a fur trader living west of the Mississippi River. I need a better way to transport my furs to trading posts.” E, S or P?

19. “Mr. Manifest Destiny” President James K. Polk 11th President
Added more territory to the US than any other President

20. Texas Independence March 2, 1836: Texas declared independence
Elected Sam Houston as President
Victory at San Jacinto
Under force, Santa Anna sign Treaties of Velasco
Mexico rejects the treaty and never recognized Texas Independence
Texas Independence

21. U.S. Annexation of Texas Texas immediately asks for annexation by U.S.
North opposes for fear slavery will spread
Official annexation on 12/29/1845
Mexico sees annexation as a declaration of WAR!

22. Factors Leading to Mexican-American War
Mexican anger over Texas annexation
Dispute over Texas/Mexican border
Nueces River vs. Rio Grande
Instability of Mexican government
19 governments in 25 years
Polk’s drive to expand
Believed he must create a coast-to-coast nation
Southerners hoped to expand slavery into Texas

23. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Recognized TX as part of U.S.
Gave up the Mexican Cession (1848)
Annexed half of Mexico to the U.S.
U.S. paid $15 million for it
Created Rio Grande as border
In 1853 Gadsden Purchase solidifies southern boundary
Wanted to extend Trans-Continental Railroad
Mexico sells it to us for $10 million
“from sea to shining sea”
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

24. Oregon: 54° 40’ or Fight!
In his campaign, Polk talked about taking all of Oregon
Slogan: 54° 40’ or Fight!
Rather than fight, he settled for half
U.S. and Britain decide to divide Oregon in 1846
Extended the boundary already dividing the U.S. and Canada
Boundary remains today

25. US Territorial Expansion
When?
E - Texas
1845
From Where?
Republic of Texas
Why? A
Texas independent from Mexico in 1836
Annexed in 1845 despite Northern fears that it would become a slave state C B E D

26. US Territorial Expansion
When?
1846
F - Oregon Territory
From Where?
Great Britain
Why? F
Disputed between U.S. and Britain
Americans demanded “54° 40’ or fight!,” but agreed to British compromise C A B E D

27. US Territorial Expansion
When?
1848
G - Mexican Cession
From Where?
Mexico
Why? F
Polk offers to buy from Mexico & they refuse, leading to War
In Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, U.S. buys for $15 million C A B G E D

28. US Territorial Expansion
When?
1853
H- Gadsden Purchase
From Where?
Mexico
Why? F
Wanted it to build a transcontinental railroad
Purchased for $10 million, solidifying our southern border C A B G H E D

29. Trails West

30. Obstacles Faced by Trail Travelers
Rockies & harsh terrain
Animals
Disease & Exhaustion
Indians (sometimes hostile)
Starvation
Harsh weather

31. California Gold Rush and the 49-ers!
James Marshall was building a sawmill when he spotted gold
People from all over the world raced to California in 1849
Nick-named the Forty-Niners
Thousands of men hoped to get rich quick then go home
Majority did not find gold
By 1852, all of the gold was gone but California now had a population of over 250,000
Could now become the first state in the West
California Gold Rush and the 49-ers!