1. What do you think is the artist’s point of view in the painting? 2. How does the artist use light to make is point?

Aim #31: Does the idea of “Manifest Destiny” justify going to war with another nation to win new territory? Do now! Painting analysis of “American Progress” by John Gast

What major changes occurred in America in the 1840s?

When Americans were colonists ( ), the western border was the Appalachian Mountains

After the Revolutionary War, the western border of the U.S. was the Mississippi River

Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the USA Lewis and Clark’s exploration confirmed the economic potential of the western territory

The growth of “King Cotton” and commercial farming led to a desire for more western lands

Changes in the early Antebellum era ( ), encouraged westward expansion in the 1840s Improved transportation such as canals, steamboats, & railroads increased speed & profitability

The U.S. population grew 300% The number of U.S. states grew from 13 to 26 Western state populations exploded (Ohio’s population grew from 50,000 to 1.5 million)

The earliest pioneers were fur traders, land speculators, and poor farmers looking for cheap land Soon, farmers, miners, ranchers, and religious groups flooded West

The Oregon Trail led thousands of farmers to the fertile lands of Oregon in the 1840s

The Santa Fe Trail allowed the U.S. to sell goods to Mexico

Westward expansion brought conflict with Indians, such as the Black Hawk War, as trails disrupted hunting grounds and violated previous treaties

The Treaty of Fort Laramie created a vast Indian Territory but was repeatedly ignored by whites expanding West

“Covered wagons dominated traffic on the Oregon Trail. The typical wagon was about 11 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 2 feet deep, with bows of hardwood supporting a bonnet that rose about 5 feet above the wagon bed. With only one set of springs under the driver's seat and none on the axles, nearly everyone walked along with their herds of cattle and sheep.”

“When the Trail got crowded (in 1849 and later) camping became more difficult. The biggest problem was finding fuel for the campfires. Soon trees were scarce and there was only one alternative: buffalo dung. No one liked collecting it, but it did burn and gave off a consistent odorless flame”

“Nearly 1 in 10 who set off on the Oregon Trail did not survive. The two biggest causes of death were disease and accidents. The worst disease was cholera, caused by unsanitary conditions. People in good spirits in the morning could be dead by evening. Symptoms started with an intense stomach ache, then came diarrhea and vomiting causing dehydration. If death did not occur within the first 12 to 24 hours, the victim usually recovered”

(I) Manifest Destiny a. Phrase coined by John L. O’Sullivan who used God, democracy and economic expansion to justify an American “destiny” (idea of American exceptionalism) 1.Idea the US was destined to control the North American continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific 2. Contained racist ideas that it was acceptable to remove Native Americans and Mexicans from their land because they were holding up progress. b. Underlying reasons for Manifest Destiny 1.New land: for resources and land ownership associated with wealth (land was inexpensive) 2. Western ports: access to Asian markets 3. Population was increasing: natural and immigration (people felt cramped)

(II) 19 th Century U.S. Territorial Expansion a.Maine 1.US-Canadian border was disputed in Maine (led to Aroostook War) 2. Webster-Ashburton Treaty: established clear border between Maine and Canada b. The Texas Dilemma 1.(1821) Mexico gained independence from Spain and encouraged Americans to immigrate to Texas 2. “Anglos” refused to accept Mexican rules (Mexico banned slavery and stated that all migrants would have to convert to the Roman Catholic religion) 3. Santa Anna overthrew the Mexican government and he declared himself dictator 4. Texans, under leadership of Sam Houston, declared their independence by stating that Texas was now an independent republic

TEXAS- continued- 5. Houston applied immediately for Texas to be annexed by US 6. issue: slavery – fear if Texas joins Union, Texas could turn into 5 possible slave states 7. President Tyler to annex Texas (British interested too because land is good for cotton; Tyler afraid of British rule in America) 8. The Annexation of Texas “Dark Horse” Democrat James K. Polk defeated Whig Henry Clay in the election of 1844 (campaigned for annexation of Texas and end to our joint occupation of Oregon with Britain) 9. (1845) Texas made a state

c. Mexican-American War 1. reasons: Mexico’s disagreement over Texas’ borders and General Zachary Taylor crossing the Rio Grande led to war 2. US Victory led to Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo 3. US gained all of Texas the Mexican cession (present-day US southwest) 4. Recognized Rio Grande as southern border of Texas 5. Wilmot Proviso: during the war, bill by Penn. Congressmen to forbid slavery in any of the new territories acquired from Mexico (failed to pass Senate) d. Gadsen Purchase (1853) for a future transcontinental railroad e. Oregon 1.Americans wanted to end join US-British control of Oregon 2.Polk supported a “54 40 or fight” campaign 3.US accepted dividing Oregon along the 49 degree

f. California 1.Americans eager to compete with Mexican “rancheros” in California in the 1830s 2.(1849) gold rush led to massive influx of American, Latin American, European and Chinese gold seekers (changed California’s population, agriculture and culture)

And on a separate sheet of paper… 1.In your opinion, did the ideas of Manifest Destiny justify taking lands from the Native Americans and/or going to war with other countries to gain territory? Explain. 2. In your opinion, would the idea of Manifest Destiny justify going to war with another nation to win new territory? Why or why not? 3. How can results of the Mexican-American War be one of the causes of the Civil War?