Manifest Destiny, The Oregon Trail, and The Mexican American War

Manifest Destiny Manifest Destiny was the belief that it was the destiny of the U.S. to expand its territory over the whole of North America – all land between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

Westward Ho! Many Americans traveled through the Great Plains to the land between the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Ocean Why? Good farmland Opportunity to start new “Make something of yourself”

Oregon Country Present Northwest corner of the US and part of Canada Fertile soil, plentiful rainfall, mild temperatures Attracted farmers and trappers US, Britain, Spain and Russia all claimed Oregon

Oregon Trail 2,000 miles long 50,000 people traveled from 1840-1860 Inspired by reports about fertile land Travelers met in Independence, Missouri every May, and hoped to arrive in the Oregon territory by October Dangerous journey – weather, disease, geographic challenges

https://www.youtube.com/w atch?v=CHps2SecuDk The Oregon Trail Clip https://www.youtube.com/w atch?v=CHps2SecuDk

Conflict with Mexico Mexico became independent in 1821. The Spanish governor of Texas gave some land to American settlers if they promised to: Become Mexican citizens Obey Mexican laws Become Catholics Thousands of Americans flooded into Texas Many did not feel any loyalty to Mexico, and refused to follow their laws. Mexican troops were sent to enforce laws.

US Territory Before Mexican American War

Mexico’s New Leader Texans did not like Santa Anna, Mexico’s new leader Military dictator

The Republic of Texas Texans revolted against the Mexican government, and in 1836, Texans declared their independence from Mexico and created the Republic of Texas. Santa Anna, the president of Mexico responded with force. His troops laid siege to the Alamo, a mission in San Antonio.

The Alamo Defenders of the Alamo held out for 12 days under heavy cannon fire. All of the defenders were killed in battle or executed afterward.

Texas Wins its Independence Sam Houston led a small army in a surprise attack against Santa Anna’s army the following April. Texans shouted “Remember the Alamo!” Within 18 minutes, the Texans had captured Santa Anna. They forced him to sign a treaty recognizing Texan independence.

Texas Becomes a State Sam Houston became president of the new Republic of Texas, and he hoped the U.S. would annex Texas. Southerners supported annexation of Texas as a slave state. Northerners opposed this, but still hoped for western expansion.

Texas Becomes a State For years after Texas won its independence, the annexation of Texas remained an unsettled question. It became a major issue in the presidential election of 1844. James Polk beat Henry Clay in the election, and shortly before he took office, Texas was admitted as a state.

Tensions Rise The annexation of Texas increased tensions with Mexico – Mexico had never formally recognized Texan independence.

The Mexican American War President Polk knew that the Mexican government needed cash, so he offered money to settle the border dispute between Mexico and Texas. Polk also offered to buy California and New Mexico. Mexico refused the offers.

The Mexican American War Polk hoped to provoke a Mexican attack on U.S. troops, and sent General Zachary Taylor and his troops to disputed land. Mexico saw this as an act of war and ambushed an American patrol. Polk asked Congress for a declaration of war. He claimed that Mexico had forced this war by shedding “American blood upon American soil.” The war began in 1846.

The Mexican American War Polk sent General Taylor with 3,500 troops who defeated Mexico at Palo Alto. Gen. Scott then led troops to take Mexico City. With Mexico’s capital in U.S. hands, the United States had won the war.

The Mexican American War Ends The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican American War in 1848. US got more than 500,000 sq. miles of territory (CA, NV, UT, AZ, NM, WY, and CO) Mexico dropped claims on Texas land at Rio Grande River – now the border between the US & Mexico. President Polk paid Mexico $18 million for the land https://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/mexican americanwar/

Manifest Destiny is Achieved In the Gadsden Purchase of 1853, the U.S. paid Mexico $10 million for a narrow strip of present-day Arizona and New Mexico. Manifest Destiny had been achieved. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= gn2FzuPyFlY

And 1 last video to summarize… Mr. Betts- Manifest Destiny