Manifest Destiny ( )

Definition of Manifest Destiny Theory that Americans were “destined” to expand their govt (freedom; liberty) Theory that Americans were “destined” to expand their govt (freedom; liberty) Previously based on the “City upon a Hill” theory in Puritan New England Previously based on the “City upon a Hill” theory in Puritan New England Americans used this theory to justify their reasons for territorial acquisitions and westward expansion Americans used this theory to justify their reasons for territorial acquisitions and westward expansion

Obstacles facing Expansion 1.) Indian Settlements & Tribes 1.) Indian Settlements & Tribes  - Larger in West; more resistant  - Nomadic; harder to assimilate to American culture 2.) Physical Barriers 2.) Physical Barriers  - Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevadas, deserts  - Largely unknown/unexplored 3.) Economics 3.) Economics  - Money needed to fund trips; for survival

French & Indian War (1763) Defeat of French temporarily ends their occupation of North AmericaDefeat of French temporarily ends their occupation of North America Settlers and identured servants begin to move westward to gain cheap farmlandSettlers and identured servants begin to move westward to gain cheap farmland Begin occupying western parts of Virginia, New York, Georgia, & North CarolinaBegin occupying western parts of Virginia, New York, Georgia, & North Carolina

Cumberland Gap (1775) Daniel Boone sets out to create a trail through the Appalachian mountainsDaniel Boone sets out to create a trail through the Appalachian mountains Met with heavy Indian resistanceMet with heavy Indian resistance Boone succeeds and creates the Wilderness TrailBoone succeeds and creates the Wilderness Trail Settles and founds the District of KentuckySettles and founds the District of Kentucky Opens up Kentucky & Tennessee to settlementOpens up Kentucky & Tennessee to settlement

Wilderness Trail ( c. 1775)

Northwest Ordinance (1783) Creates a process to admit new states west of the original 13Creates a process to admit new states west of the original 13 Creates the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin & MichiganCreates the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin & Michigan 1 st time govt. supports westward expansion!!!1 st time govt. supports westward expansion!!!

Louisiana Purchase (1803) Jefferson purchases territory from FranceJefferson purchases territory from France Gives US free access to the Mississippi RiverGives US free access to the Mississippi River Opportunities for trade, trapping, agriculture, natural resources, wealthOpportunities for trade, trapping, agriculture, natural resources, wealth Doubles the size of the USDoubles the size of the US

Lewis & Clark (1805) Sponsored by Jefferson (govt.)Sponsored by Jefferson (govt.) Expedition cuts trails through previous wildernessExpedition cuts trails through previous wilderness Discovers profitable resources (beaver pelts, lumber, buffalo)Discovers profitable resources (beaver pelts, lumber, buffalo) Details the geography of the areaDetails the geography of the area Opportunity again for cheap land and wealthOpportunity again for cheap land and wealth

Indian Removal Programs (1830) Govt. sponsoredGovt. sponsored Removes Natives from current lands, places them in reservations known as the Indian Territory (later state of Oklahoma)Removes Natives from current lands, places them in reservations known as the Indian Territory (later state of Oklahoma) Removal of Natives opens up lands to American settlers & new immigrantsRemoval of Natives opens up lands to American settlers & new immigrants

Texas & the Alamo (1836) Americans begin to settle Texas (part of Mexico)Americans begin to settle Texas (part of Mexico) Soon outnumber Mexicans 10 to 1Soon outnumber Mexicans 10 to 1 Important role in becoming a slave stateImportant role in becoming a slave state Texas receives independence in 1836; becomes a state in 1845Texas receives independence in 1836; becomes a state in 1845 Drives further settlement in the areas of Texas & New MexicoDrives further settlement in the areas of Texas & New Mexico

Mexican Cession (1848) US defeats Mexico in Mexican-American WarUS defeats Mexico in Mexican-American War Major acquisition: CALIFORNIAMajor acquisition: CALIFORNIA Americans begin “exodus” to California; largest mass movement of people in US historyAmericans begin “exodus” to California; largest mass movement of people in US history US also acquires Arizona, Nevada, Utah, & parts of Colorado & New MexicoUS also acquires Arizona, Nevada, Utah, & parts of Colorado & New Mexico

Gadsden Purchase (1854) US buys land from Mexico (Mexicans needs $$ for war debt)US buys land from Mexico (Mexicans needs $$ for war debt) Finalizes US border with MexicoFinalizes US border with Mexico 29,000 sq. miles29,000 sq. miles Allows for railroad connection to CaliforniaAllows for railroad connection to California

California Gold Rush (1849) Gold is discovered in Sutter's Mill, CA Gold is discovered in Sutter's Mill, CA Over 300,000 people flood to gold fields to strike it rich; land prices & real estate soar Over 300,000 people flood to gold fields to strike it rich; land prices & real estate soar Economies of west grow (supplies, stores, inns) Economies of west grow (supplies, stores, inns) California's population soars; mixture of Americans & new immigrants (Australia, China, Mexico) California's population soars; mixture of Americans & new immigrants (Australia, China, Mexico) In one year (1850), California enters the US as a free state In one year (1850), California enters the US as a free state

Webster-Ashburton Treaty (1842) Settled northern boundary between Maine & CanadaSettled northern boundary between Maine & Canada Created the 49 th Parallel as northern boundary in west (Montana, Idaho, Washington)Created the 49 th Parallel as northern boundary in west (Montana, Idaho, Washington) US & Canada agree to share use of the Great LakesUS & Canada agree to share use of the Great Lakes Chicago emerges as major economic center; connects East to WestChicago emerges as major economic center; connects East to West