1. Manifest Destiny and Its Legacy Away, away with all these cobweb tissues of the rights of discovery, exploration, settlement…[The American claim] is by right of our manifest destiny to spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty… John L. O’Sullivan, Democratic Review, 1845

2. Main Ideas Manifest Destiny led to American expansionism (economic and territory) The Mexican-American War increased the size of the United States Southern Manifest Destiny ambitions-the increase of sectionalism The slavery-expansion conflict Economic expansion was interrupted by the Panic of 1857 The Legacy of Manifest Destiny

3. Manifest Destiny The theme of America’s manifest destiny was used by a host of supporters of territorial expansion after the term was penned by O’Sullivan The phrase manifest destiny expressed the popular belief that the United States had a divine mission to extend its power and civilization across North America John L. O'Sullivan, sketched in 1874, was an influential columnist as a young man, but is now generally remembered only for his use of the phrase "Manifest Destiny" to advocate the annexation of Texas and Oregon.

4. Forces that Drove Manifest Destiny 1850s (MD): expansionists wanted westward to Pacific and southward into Mexico, Cuba, and Central America 1890s (MD): expansionists wanted islands in the Pacific and the Caribbean Forces that drove manifest destiny: (1)nationalism (2)population increase (3)rapid economic development (4)technological advances (5)reform ideals John Quincy Adams, painted above in 1816 by Charles Robert Leslie, was an early proponent of continentalism. Late in life he came to regret his role in helping U.S. slavery to expand, and became a leading opponent of the annexation of Texas

5. Conflicts Over Texas, Maine, and Oregon U.S. interest in pushing its borders southward into Texas (Mexican province) and westward into Oregon Territory (claimed by Britain) was largely the result of American pioneers migrating into these lands during the 1820s-1830s. American westward expansion is idealized in Emanuel Leutze's famous painting Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way (1861). The title of the painting, from a 1726 poem by Bishop Berkeley, was a phrase often quoted in the era of Manifest Destiny, expressing a widely held belief that civilization had steadily moved westward throughout history.

6. Texas In 1823, after winning its independence from Spain, Mexico hoped to attract settlers to farm its northern frontier (Texas) -American banker Moses Austin secured a land grant -Moses Austin died and his son Stephen Austin brought 300 American families to Texas -By 1830, Americans outnumbered the Mexicans by three to one Stephen F. Austin was an important figure in early Texas.

7. Texas Revolt A change in Mexico’s government in 1834 promoted General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna to dictator When Santa Anna insisted on enforcing Mexico’s laws in Texas, a group of Americans led by Sam Houston revolted and declared independence (March 1836) Important battles for independence: (1)Goliad (first battle; Mexican victory) (2)Alamo in San Antonio (Mexican victory) (3)San Jacinto River (Texan victory; Houston captures Santa Anna) (4)Santa Anna signed treaty recognizing Texas’ independence Sam Houston

8. Texas Annexation Denied President Sam Houston applied to the U.S. government for annexation and hoped to be added as a state Both presidents Jackson and Van Buren put off requests for annexation because of political opposition among northerners to the expansion of slavery (war with Mexico was also a real concern) President John Tyler worked to get Texas annexed in 1844, however the Senate rejected his treaty of annexation Republic of Texas

9. Boundary Dispute in Maine In the early 1840s, a dispute over lumber rights (territory) erupted into open fighting Known as the Aroostook War, the conflict was soon resolved in a treaty negotiated by U.S. Secretary of State Daniel Webster and British ambassador Lord Alexander Ashburton In the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842, the disputed territory was split between Maine and British Canada (set the boundary of Minnesota territory also) Webster–Ashburton Treaty Ratification

10. Boundary Dispute in Oregon At one time, the Oregon territory was disputed by four different nations: Spain, Russia, Great Britain, and the United States Britain based claims: (1)Hudson Fur Company historic connection (2)small British community U.S. based claims: (1)discovery of the Columbian River (Cap. Robert Gray 1792) (2)overland expedition (Lewis and Clack expedition) (3)fur trading post and fort in Astoria, Oregon (John Jacob Astor) (4)American Farmers/Protestant missionaries settlers

11. Election of 1844 Leading the northern wing of the Democratic party, former president Martin Van Buren opposed immediate annexation Challenging him for the Democratic nomination was the proslavery, proannexation southerner John C. Calhoun The Democratic convention was deadlocked, and after hour of wrangling, the Democrats finally nominated a “dark horse” (lesser known) James K. Polk of Tennessee, protégé of Andrew Jackson, favored annexation of Texas, “reoccupation” of Oregon, and the acquisition of California The Democratic slogan “Fifty-four or Fight!” appealed strongly to American westerners and southerners Polk was the last strong pre–Civil War president, and he is the earliest of whom there are surviving photographs taken during a term in office.

12. Election of 1844 continued… Henry Clay of Kentucky, the Whig nominee, attempted to straddle the controversial issue of Texas annexation (he was against it and then for it) This strategy alienated New York State voters who abandoned the Whig party to support the antislavery Liberty Party The loss of New York State proved decisive and Polk won the presidency In the election, Polk won in the South and West, while Clay drew support in the Northeast. Polk lost both his home state, North Carolina, and his state of residence, Tennessee, the most recent successful presidential candidate to do so. but won New York, where Clay lost votes to the antislavery Liberty Party candidate James G. Birney. Also contributing to Polk's victory was the support of new immigrant voters, who opposed the Whigs' policies.

13. Annexing Texas and Dividing Oregon Outgoing president John Tyler took the election as a signal to push through annexation in Congress Congress voted in favor of annexation in 1845 with the possibility of war with Mexico looming Polk compromised on the issue of Oregon (boundary decided at the 49 th parallel) The Oregon Territory, established by the Oregon Treaty.

14. The Slavery-Expansion Conflict Attitude of the parties: * Both parties tried to keep the slavery question out of national politics. * They argued that slavery was a local issue. Slavery and the territories: * Federal policy in the administration of the territories would either promote or discourage the expansion of slavery. * This becomes the crucial issue! The controversy was not whether the nation should expand, but what should be the status of slavery in the newly acquired lands.

15. War With Mexico The U.S. annexation of Texas led quickly to diplomatic trouble with Mexico President Polk dispatched John Slidell as his special envoy to the government of Mexico Polk wanted Slidell to: (1)persuade Mexico to sell California and New Mexico territories to U.S. (2)settle a dispute concerning the Mexico- Texas border Mexico refused to sell and demanded the border remain at the Nueces River (U.S. claimed the Rio Grande) John Slidell, from photo portrait by Mathew Brady

16. Immediate Causes of the War While Slidell waited for Mexico City’s response to the U.S. offer, Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to move his army toward the Rio Grande On April 24, 1846, a Mexican army crossed the Rio Grande and captured an American army patrol, killing 11 Polk used the incident to send his already prepared war message to Congress Northern Whigs protested in vain; a large majority in both houses approved the war resolution Polk's presidential proclamation of war against Mexico.

17. The Mexican-American War The Mexican–American War was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 U.S. annexation of Texas. Most of the war was fought in Mexican territory by relatively small armies of Americans American generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott scored significant victories. Scott’s command took Mexico City in September of 1847 Map of Mexico in 1845, with the Republic of Texas, the Republic of Yucatan and the disputed territory between Mexico and Texas in red. Mexico claimed to own all of Texas.

18. Images of the War “What stupid people they are! They can do nothing and their continued defeats should convince them of it. They have lost six great battles; we have captured six hundred and eight cannon, nearly one hundred thousand stands of arms, made twenty thousand prisoners, have the greatest portion of their country and are fast advancing on their Capital which must be ours,—yet they refuse to retreat!” -Captain Kirby Smith Battle of Veracruz Battle of MonterreyBattle of Chapultepec American Occupation of Mexico City

19. The Mexican-American War continued… The most important consequences of the war for the United States were the Mexican terms of surrender under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (negotiated by American diplomat Nicholas Trist) (1)Mexico would recognize the Rio Grande as the southern border of Texas (2)The United States would take possession of the former Mexican provinces of California and New Mexico- the Mexican Cession (3)For the territories, the U.S. would pay 15 million The Mexican Cession (in red) was acquired through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The Gadsden Purchase (in orange) was acquired through purchase after Polk left office.

20. Sectionalism During the War with Mexico The war was popular in the South and with many Northerners, but the opponents of slavery were opposed. The “proslavery conspiracy” argument was revived, and their was some talk of nullification and dissolution of the Union. Most Whigs ultimately supported the war, but before the conflict was over it had become clear that the Northern wing of the party, with some support from Northern Democrats, was resolved to block the extension of slavery into the newly acquired territory. The Wilmot Proviso: David Wilmot (D-PA) moved to add to an appropriations bill a proviso to the effect than in all territory acquired from Mexico by the war, slavery and involuntary servitude should be forever prohibited. It failed to pass in the Senate (each section had 30 senators). Prelude to Civil War?

21. Manifest Destiny to the South Many southerners were dissatisfied with territorial gains from the Mexican War. In the 1850s, they hoped to acquire new territories where plantations worked by slaves were thought to be economically feasible The most tempting was Cuba! An 1856 cartoon depicts a giant free soiler being held down by James Buchanan and Lewis Cass standing on the Democratic platform marked "Kansas," "Cuba" and "Central America." President Pierce also holds down the giant's beard as Stephen A. Douglas shoves a black man down his throat.

22. Ostend Manifesto Polk offered 100 million to Spain to purchase Cuba (Spain refused). Several southern adventurers led small expeditions to Cuba (Spanish officials executed them) Elected in 1852, President Pierce dispatched 3 diplomats to Ostend, Belgium to work out a deal with Spain The Ostend Manifesto was leaked to the press (antislavery congressmen complained) President Pierce was forced to drop the scheme A political cartoon depicts James Buchanan surrounded by hoodlums using quotations from the Ostend Manifesto to justify robbing him. The caption below reads "The Ostend Doctrine".

23. Walker Expedition Southern adventurer William Walker tried to establish a new empire in central America with or without the federal government’s help (1)1853, Walker unsuccessfully tried to take Baja California from Mexico (2)1855, Walker took over Nicaragua (U.S. temporarily recognized his regime) (3)Walker’s empire collapsed when a coalition of Central American nations invaded and defeated him (Walker executed in 1860) William Walker was a US lawyer, journalist and adventurer, who organized several private military expeditions into Latin America, with the intention of establishing English-speaking colonies under his personal control, an enterprise then known as "filibustering."

24. Clayton-Bulwer Treaty (1850) Another American ambition concerned the building of a canal through Central America -the U.S. and Britain each wanted the rights to a canal in Central America -to check each others ambitions, the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty (1850) stated that neither nation would seek control of a canal in the future -later in 1901, the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty gave the U.S. a free hand to build a canal This treaty was in response to tension between future water routes through Central America connecting the Caribbean to the Pacific. Great Britain feared that, due to the Monroe Doctrine, the Americans would monopolize any future water route constructed.

25. Gadsden Purchase Although he failed to acquire Cuba, president Pierce succeeded in adding a strip of land to the American Southwest for a railroad In 1853, Mexico agreed to the sale of this land to the United States for 10 million dollars The Gadsden Purchase (shown in yellow with present-day state boundaries and cities)

26. Settlement of the Western Territories Fur Trader’s Frontier: The Mountain Men of the Far West (Jedediah Smith, Kit Carson) Overland Trails: pioneers or settlers heading west (Oregon, California, Santa Fe, and Mormon trails) Mining Frontier: discovery of gold and silver (49ers in California, Mining camps and towns sprang up)

27. Settlement of the Western Territories continued… Farming Frontier: pioneer families moved westward (Congress’s Preemption Acts of the 1830s and 40s allowed squatters to attain the land cheap) Urban Frontier: Western cities arose as a result of the railroads (attracted by mineral wealth and farming) -examples include San Francisco, Denver, Salt Lake City

28. The Expanding Economy The era of territorial expansion coincided with a period of remarkable economic growth from the 1840s to 1857. (1)Industrial technology: after 1840, rapid industrial growth occurred (Elias Howe’s sewing machine and Samuel F. Morse’s electric telegraph) (2)Railroads: the railroads emerged as America’s largest industry (cheap and rapid transportation promoted western agriculture)

29. The Expanding Economy continued… (3) Foreign Commerce: the growth of manufactured goods and agricultural products caused significant growth of exports and imports Other factors: (1)Shipping firms encouraged trade and travel abroad (2)Demand for whale oil (light homes) caused a boom in New England region (3)Improvements in ship designs led to faster travel time (American clipper ship) (4)Steamboats took the place of clippers (greater storage capacity and cheaper to operate) (5)The federal government played a role in expanding trade (Commodore Perry opens Japanese ports to American trade)

30. Panic of 1857 The midcentury economic boom ended in 1857 with a financial panic The panic led to prices falling for Midwestern produced goods and increased unemployment in the north Southerners viewed this panic as proof that their plantation economy was superior and that continued union with the northern economy was not needed Bank run on the Seamen's Savings' Bank during the panic of 1857

31. The Legacy of Manifest Destiny In recent years a number of historians have taken a critical view of manifest destiny and U.S. actions in the war with Mexico. They suggest that there were strong racist motives behind U.S. foreign policy in the 1840s and quote extensively from minority voices of the period who had condemned the Mexican War as a plot to expand slavery. These historians argue that there may have been racist motives even behind the decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Mexico instead of conquering and occupying that country. They point out that Americans who opposed the idea of keeping Mexico had resorted to racist arguments, asserting that it would be undesirable to incorporate large non-Anglo populations into the republic. Do you believe that this period of territory acquisition (manifest destiny) was motivated by racism or imperialism? Or perhaps another reason?

32. Timeline 1844 - James K. Polk elected eleventh president - Oregon Dispute 1845 - Texas annexed 1846 - Oregon settlement 1846-48 - Mexican War 1848 - Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo - Gold discovered in California - Zachary Taylor elected twelfth president - Seneca Falls Convention 1850- Clayton-Bulwer Treaty 1853- Gadsden Purchase 1857- Panic of 1857

33. Key Names, Events, and Terms Manifest destiny Texas Stephen Austin Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna Sam Houston Alamo John Tyler Aroostook War Webster-Ashburton Treaty Oregon territory “Fifty-four Forty or Fight!” James K. Polk Rio Grande; Nueces River Mexican War (1846-1847) Zachary Taylor Winfield Scott Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) Mexican Cession Wilmot Proviso

34. Question Which of the following was NOT a major consequence of the U.S. war with Mexico? (a)U.S. annexation of Texas (b)long-term Mexican resentment against the U.S. (c)securing Texas’ southern border on the Rio Grande (d)increased sectional tensions over slavery (e)cession of California and New Mexico to the U.S.

35. Answer A: U.S. annexation of Texas

36. Question Which of the following is LEAST useful in arguing that territorial expansion was motivated by a desire to spread slavery? (a)William Walker’s campaign in Nicaragua (b)the Ostend Manifesto (c)the slogan “Fifty-four Forty or Fight” (d)the annexation of Texas (e)opposition to the Wilmot Proviso

37. Answer C: the slogan “Fifty-four Forty or Fight”