Westward Movement and Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny Divine mission to extend power and civilization across North America Driven by population, economic development, technology, and reform

Texas War of Independence After Mexico won independence from Spain – wanted settlers to farm the land By 1830, Americans outnumbered Mexicans 3:1 Friction developed Mexico outlawed slavery Required all immigrants to convert to Catholicism

General Antonio Lopez de’ Santa Anna Declared himself dictator of Mexico (1834) Abolished the federal system of government Enforced Mexico’s laws museum/images/santa.jpg

General Sam Houston Revolted and declared Texas a independent republic (1836) Battle of San Jacinto Caught Mexicans off guard and captured Santa Anna Forced to sign a treaty recognizing Texas’ independence First president of the Republic of Texas hrpsam1861L.jpg

Annexation of Texas Both Jackson and Van Buren put off Texas’ request for statehood – opposition of expansion of slavery Threat of war with Mexico dampened expansionist zeal Tyler would try to annex Texas but Senate rejected the treaty in 1844

Annexing Texas After the 1844 election - outgoing President Tyler will push for a joint resolution for annexation This procedure required only a simple majority of each house Polk was left with the problem of dealing with Mexico’s reaction

Election of 1844 James K. Polk was the “dark horse” candidate of the Democrats For Annexation of Texas, acquisition of California, and the “reoccupation” of Oregon Whig nominee Henry Clay Straddled the issue of annexation First against it then later for it Alienated a group of voters in New York – proved decisive

James K. Polk Appealed to westerners and southerners who were in an expansionist mood “Fifty-four Forty or Fight” Referred to the line of latitude that marked the border between the Oregon Territory and Russian Alaska

Oregon Treaty of 1846 Negotiators agreed to divide at the 49 th parallel Vancouver Island granted to Britain with navigation rights of the Columbia River Northerners upset – thought removed potential free states

Mexican War Polk sent Slidell to negotiate with Mexico Buy the California and the New Mexico territories Settle dispute Texas-Mexico border Mexican government refused to sell and insisted that Texas’ southern border was on the Nueces River

Immediate Cause for War Polk ordered Zachary Taylor to move his army toward the Rio Grande Mexican army crossed the Rio Grande and captured an American army patrol, killing 11 Polk sent his (already prepared) war message to Congress

Military Campaigns General Zachary Taylor’s force of 6,000 men drove the Mexican force from Texas and won a major victory at Buena Vista General Winfield Scott invaded central Mexico and captured Mexico City Sept 1847

Consequences of War War was disaster for Mexico Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) Rio Grande southern border of Texas U.S. will pay $15 million for California and New Mexico