Topic: Evaluating the impact of Manifest Destiny

Polk and Manifest Destiny Manifest Destiny- coast to coast (imperialism?) Manifest Destiny- coast to coast (imperialism?) –Coined by John O’Sullivan in newspapers End of 1844: Tyler annexes Texas End of 1844: Tyler annexes Texas –Mexico angry –Tyler leaves it to Polk 1845: Polk vows to expand our territory 1845: Polk vows to expand our territory –Oregon deal: US land up to the 49 th Parallel –The Slidell Mission: attempt to buy California from Mexico-  Mexico refuses

Conflict with Mexico Mexico angry w/ US Mexico angry w/ US –Texas problem: where is the boarder (Rio Grande River) –Mexico owes US money Polk wants a short war to acquire California Polk wants a short war to acquire California 1846: US troops attacked on the Rio Grande River 1846: US troops attacked on the Rio Grande River Polk: “US blood spilled on US soil”  war declared Polk: “US blood spilled on US soil”  war declared Santa Anna rallies Mexicans to fight back Santa Anna rallies Mexicans to fight back Polk accused by Anti-slavery Whigs of “lying” about the cause of war Polk accused by Anti-slavery Whigs of “lying” about the cause of war Lincoln’s “spot resolutions” Lincoln’s “spot resolutions”

The Mexican-American War ( ) American troops pour through Texas, into California and Mexico American troops pour through Texas, into California and Mexico Kearny and Fremont in the north Kearny and Fremont in the north Zachary Taylor at Buena Vista Zachary Taylor at Buena Vista Winfield Scott seizes Mexico City  Mexico surrenders Winfield Scott seizes Mexico City  Mexico surrenders Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo –Nicholas P. Trist –Texas annexation officially recognized –California, other territory (New Mexico, Nevada, etc) handed over –15 million payment for the Mexican Cession –War over

Manifest Destiny and Slavery Why not annex all of Mexico? Why not annex all of Mexico? Now, would slavery spread into these new territories? Now, would slavery spread into these new territories? Widespread abolitionist opposition, some Whigs Widespread abolitionist opposition, some Whigs “War to help ‘slaveocracy’” “War to help ‘slaveocracy’” Nation and parties now split on sectional lines Nation and parties now split on sectional lines Wilmot Proviso Wilmot Proviso –David Wilmot, (Penn congressman) –No slavery permitted in the new Mexican Cession territories –Never passed in Congress

Conclusion How did Manifest Destiny impact the United States, positively and negatively? Explain your answer in 3-4 sentences.