Manifest Destiny: The U.S. Mexican War

Manifest Destiny Defined  Term first coined by John L. O’Sullivan in Democratic Review, July 1845  Ideological basis for belief: – Sincere belief in democracy and republicanism – Idealized view of U.S. as model for others  Ideology intertwined with racist and imperialistic ideas about Indians and Mexicans

Concrete Reasons for Manifest Destiny  Americans tempted by “free” land – U.S. stopped at Mississippi – Knew of California and Oregon  Develop trade with Far East – Pacific Coast to Far East – need base – Jealous of Mexico’s success  Fear of Foreign Invasion – British Claims to Oregon; Mexico in south

Five Examples of early U.S. Expansion  Florida and the Seminole War Seminole War – Jackson “conquers” territory from Spain  Adams-Onis Treaty – 1819  Texas Revolution – Discuss Next  New Mexico and the Santa Fe Trail  Oregon: 1818 agree with Britain to leave it Free and open, but by 1840s U.S. changes policy

Background to Texas Revolution  1821 – Mexican Independence from Spain  One large problem is how to control northern border and prevent U.S. crossing  Land grants and settlement were one way – Communal, Individual, and Empresario  Mexico was vulnerable to U.S. takeover  Texas was most vulnerable

War for Texas Independence  Texan’s resented Santa Ana’s change to a centrist government.Santa Ana’s  On November of 1835 decided to uphold original 1821 Constitution and rebel against Santa Anna government.  Santa Ana marches 7,000 troops to Texas to put down rebellion. Arrives in San Antonio in February of Faced 200 men in Alamo Faced 200 men in Alamo

Texas Independence  Texans again defeated at Battle of Goliad  March 1, 1836 declared Independence – Elected Sam Houston as PresidentSam Houston  Houston’s troops attacked Santa Ana at San Jacinto in April Routed Santa Ana.  Under duress, Santa Ana signs Treaty of VelascoSanta Ana signs Treaty of Velasco  Mexican government repudiated treaty and never recognized Texas Independence

Santa Ana Signs Treaty of Velasco

U.S. Annexation of Texas  Houston and Texas immediately ask for annexation by U.S.  Northern liberals oppose because they fear spread of slavery.  Texas remains independent nation until March 1,  Mexico sees annexation as a declaration of War and diplomatically leaves Washington

4 Factors leading to U.S./Mexican War  Mexican anger over annexation of Texas  Dispute over Texas/Mexican border – Nueces River or Rio Grande  Instability of Mexican government – 19 governments in 25 years  Polk Administration’s drive to expand U.S. Polk – Polk saw his mandate as creating a coast-to- coast nation

President James Polk

John Slidell

Diplomatic Prelude to War  1845 Polk sends Zachary Taylor to Corpus Christi. Encamped on Nueces River  Sends John Slidell to negotiate. He offers:John Slidell – $5 million for New Mexico west of Rio Grande – $25 million for California  Strong anti-U.S. sentiment meant that Mexico would not accept offer  March 1846 Taylor crossed Nueces and war beginswar begins

Richard Caton Woodville, News From the Mexican War 1848

Aftermath of Battle  U.S. troops waiting in Mexico City. A war defense became a war of Conquest  If it was U.S. manifest destiny to conquer land, were they also to conquer people?  Three barriers to the “All Mexico” plan – Northern liberals hated conquest – Slavery question – Racism – could the U.S. really incorporate all the 8 million Mexican and Indians?

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo  Annexed half of Mexico to the U.S. (San Antonio)  Created Rio Grande as international border  U.S. Paid $15 million to Mexico for territory.  1848 irony. Mexicans hear of Gold Rush in California and Treaty on same day  In 1854 Gadsden Purchase solidifies southern boundary and mineral deposits to U.S.