Manifest Destiny: 1823-1848 Chapter 7

Manifest Destiny What was it? What caused it? Belief that the United States was “destined” to settle the entire North American continent from Atlantic to Pacific Oceans What caused it? Louisiana Purchase—made the possibility of coast to coast settlement realistic for the first time Economic motives—more land to be settled by farmers, lots of natural resources to be exploited by others Racial motives—belief that European Americans were racially superior to the American Indians/Mexicans who currently occupied the West Religious motives—God wanted the US to spread its divinely inspired government, civilization, and Protestant religion to the uncivilized west

Focus of US Westward Expansion 1830-1848 Texas, Oregon, California American Expansion into Texas 1820-1845 1820s Mexico gained its independence from Spain 1823 Mexican govt began offering large tracts of land in Texas to American settlers who agreed to populate the area (Stephen Austin) 1835 30,000 Americans living in Texas American-Mexican tensions Slavery, religion, illegal immigration, local governance 1835 self government for Texas repealed 1836 Independence declared, war for independence 1836 Texas as independent country 1836-1845 Why no immediate US annexation in 1836? Became issue in 1844 election

Oregon and California Oregon Country California Area of modern day Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia Originally claimed by Spain, Britain, US, and Russia—by 1820s only US and Britain 1840s American immigration to Oregon increased rapidly 1846 5,000 Americans living in Oregon Country, not that many British Became election issue in 1844 California California was sparsely populated by Mexican citizens Home to lots of good farmland and valuable ports US wanted to buy California from Mexico

Politics 1840-1844: Tyler and Polk William Henry Harrison (Whig) elected 1840 John Tyler became President 1841 President without a party—didn’t get along with the Whigs Expelled from the Whig party Election of 1844 James k. Polk (Democrat) “Who is James K. Polk?” Expansion: pro-annexation of Texas, pro-annexation of Oregon, pro-annexation of California Henry Clay (Whig) Anti-expansion: build up the land that the US currently has, afraid of the debate over the spread of slavery Polk won by a large margin Tyler—annexed Texas in his last weeks in office 1845

Polk Presidency Goals of Polk Annexation Texas—completed by Tyler before Polk took office Lower tariffs—achieved in 1846 Renew of the independent treasury (Democratic party’s alternative to the national bank)—achieved in 1846 Annexation of Oregon Polk threatened war with Britain, “54-40 or Fight!” (all of modern day British Columbia) Settled at the 49th parallel—modern US-Canada border So no 54-40 and no fight either Annex California Polk wanted to buy California from Mexico, but the Mexicans weren’t selling, why? Polk’s other options??

Mexican American War 1846-1848 Causes Start of War War 1846-1848 Polk wanted to take control of California Disputes between US and Mexico over the Texas border Mexico upset about US annexation of Texas Start of War Polk sent soldiers to disputed zone between US and Mexico Soldiers stayed there until Mexicans attacked—several weeks “American blood on American soil!” Small but important opposition to the war—conscience Whigs War Declared 1846 War 1846-1848 US quickly conquered California—Fremont, New Mexico—Kearny, and most of Mexico—Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott Peace treaty—Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)—ended the war

Impact of Mexican American War US gained almost all of the modern day American southwest Modern-day states of California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma US gained access to all the raw materials and natural resources in those areas (what was discovered in California in 1848-1849?) Damaged US-Mexican relations until the present day How do you think Mexicans think of this war? Should this war alter our attitudes toward immigration into the Southwest from Mexico? “Dress rehearsal” for the Civil War Key figures in Mexican American War would be the key figures in the Civil War as well Most importantly—would set off a chain of events that would help divide the country and lead to the Civil War in 1861 Question: Would there be slavery in the newly acquired territories?