Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny The idea that it is God’s will for the United States to expand from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

Election of 1844 James K. Polk elected President (Dem.) Support U.S. ownership of Oregon Country Also wanted Mexico Territory for U.S.

TEXAS December 29, 1845 Texas officially became a state of the U.S.

War with Mexico Offered to purchase territory from Mexico twice Mexico declined Polk thought it was “rightfully” property of U.S. regardless

May 11, 1846 Polk Declared war on Mexico Polk’s 3-Step War Plan Drive Mex. Forces out of disputed Texas border region. Seize New Mexico and California Territories. Take over Mexico City (Capitol)

Peace Treaty February 1848 – Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo = Mexico agreed on Rio Grande as Texas border. Mexican Cession – Mex. Gave U.S. California and New Mexico for $15 million.

Gadsden Purchase 1853– U.S. paid Mex. $10 Million for strip of land south of New Mex.

California Gold Rush January 24, 1848 – Gold discovered in California 80,000 people fled to Cal. In 1849 “forty-niners” Boomtowns popped up “overnight”

Most miners found little or no gold; only handful became rich Merchants, shop owners, got rich because they could charge whatever they wanted for needed supplies.