Manifest Destiny

America Expands Manifest Destiny: The idea that God gave Americans the continent and wanted them to settle western lands America has its sight set on New Mexico, Texas and California  Poorly managed by Spain due to nomadic Indians

Oregon and California Word spread by missionaries, mountain men, and trailblazers Mexican government couldn’t get own citizens to move to California but Americans would (migrants)  5 month trip  Faced hunger, exposure and disease The Donner Party resorted to cannibalism  Protected by the Treaty of Fort Laramie which kept the natives off the trails

Texas Mexico invited Americans and gave them cheap land  Became Mexican citizens  live under Mexican laws, no slavery…Texans don’t follow the rules though!  convert to Catholicism  Led by Stephen Austin  Began to outnumber Tejanos (Mexicans in Texas)  Texans will not stand for this for long Santa Anna takes over in Mexico, favored a strong government  Texans rebel and form their own republic/nation (Lone Star Republic)  Santa Anna retaliates at The Alamo and orders the Texans to be slaughtered…thought this would destroy their morale but only boosted it behind the rally cry of “Remember the Alamo”

Battle of San Jacinto Surprise attack Over in 20 minutes Hundreds killed Santa Anna and 700 others captured  Signed a treaty recognizing Texan independence  Borders are south of Rio Grande (not accepted by Mexico)

The Republic of Texas Sam Houston president Voted to become part of US through annexation  Congress was divided because of slavery  Jackson recognized Texas as an independent nation  Applied for 9 years…denied The Republic of Texas

Election of 1844 Key issue: Texas Anti-expansion: Henry Clay Manifest Destiny: James K. Polk  wanted all of Oregon “54°40’ or fight”: Polk wanted this line to be the border between Canada and US Settled for 49°40’ (write out to the side)  wanted all of Texas (Rio Grande as border)  won the election

Mexican-American War Texas was annexed but what will its southern border be? Was it the Nueces River or the Rio Grande?  Mexico says Nueces  US says Rio Grande (would triple the size of Texas) US had the better navy and army, more money, better officers (Winfield Scott)  Take Rio Grande  Conquer New Mexico, successful  Control California (Bear Flag Republic), successful

Mexican Cession “aka” Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Mexico gave up CA, Utah, Nevada and part of NM and AZ Rio Grande is the southern border US stretched from ocean to ocean  Manifest Destiny was a success!

Gadsden Purchase US acquires all of Arizona and New Mexico  Purchased to get a railroad across the entire continent (transcontinental)

Wilmot Proviso Proposed by David Wilmot He suggested there be no slavery in the new territories  Would have violated the 36’30 provision in the Missouri Compromise  Led to even more sectionalism  Defeated in the Senate

California Gold Rush, 1849 Discovery of gold helped settle the new land much quicker and why it became a state so fast 80,000 moved for quick riches  People that went were called 49ers because of the year

Let’s Review! 1. What is the belief that God gave Americans the continent and wanted them to settle it all? A. Monroe Doctrine B. Missouri Compromise C. Manifest Destiny 2. Which of the following was a condition placed on American settlers moving to Texas? A. Anglo-Texans must become Mexican citizens B. Slavery, even though banned by the Mexican constitution, may be practiced C. Settlers could worship as they wish 3. Who do you think had the better claim to Texas, Mexico or the American settlers? Why?

Let’s Review! 1. On what issues did the US and Mexico not agree on? a. United States annexation of Texas and the boundary between Texas and Mexico b. Texans’ rights to practice their own religion and to bring their slaves with them c. Mexico pushing its northern border into Arkansas and Louisiana 2. What was the purpose of the Wilmot Proviso? a. To reverse the terms of the Gadsden Purchase b. To punish Mexico for going to war against the United States c. To ban slavery and other forms of servitude from lands won from Mexico 3. The discovery of what metal, in 1849, created a population explosion in California? a. Silver b. Gold c. Copper