1. Explain Manifest Destiny and how this belief impacted America
Explain Manifest Destiny and how this belief impacted America. Describe Polk’s attitude toward Manifest Destiny and how this attitude influenced America. Define “Oregon fever” and how it resulted in the annexation of Oregon Country. Analyze how the Mexican War, the Mexican Cession, California gold rush & the Compromise of 1850 increased sectional tensions.

2. Manifest Destiny
A belief that the United States had the right to spread across the entire North American continent and that this was intended by God
It was obvious that America was meant to spread across the continent because it was on a mission to build a great republican society
Encouraged Americans to expand

3. Texas
Stephen Austin brought Americans to settle in Texas which was owned by the Mexican government
Americans promised:
to become Catholic & Mexican citizens
to not have slaves
Texans ignored their promises & rebelled in 1836
Goliad & Alamo disasters caused Texans to unite
Texans won at San Jacinto & create Republic of Texas
Pres. Jackson would not annex Texas

4. Oregon Country
Oregon, Idaho, Washington, some of Montana & Wyoming, parts of Canada
1818: Great Britain &America agreed to share territory
Oregon Trail very popular
Large population in Oregon who called to have America own all of Oregon Territory
“54-40 or fight”

5. Election of James K Polk 1845-49
Believed in expanding the country, favored annexing Texas
Wanted to grab Oregon too
Believed in Manifest Destiny
During campaign, Pres. Tyler decided to push for annexation for Texas & succeeded
Encouraged by Polk who went on to acquire Oregon Territory at 49th parallel in 1846

6. Results of Mexican War 1846-48
Wilmot Proviso publicly raised the issue of slavery, increasing sectional tensions
Zachary Taylor becomes a hero; many men get military experience for the Civil War
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: pay Mexico $15 million for Calif & New Mexico
Telegraph, railroad, steamboats, Colt six-shooters

7. Why would Mexican War contribute to sectional tensions in America?

8. Compromise of 1850
Problems due to land acquisitions of Mexican Cession from Mexican War
Gold Rush in California, 1848 at Sutter’s Mill
People from all over world rush to Calif.
Feelings of nationalism, racism, nativism
President Taylor in office, slave owner
How do new territories join the Union, will they be slave or free?
Need to keep balance in the senate

9. Why do we need to keep a balance in the Senate?
Let’s look at the power in the Legislature.

10. Henry Clay to the Rescue Again!
Final Compromise of 1850
Admission of California as a free state
Territories of Mexican Cession may choose whether or not to have slavery
Slavery to remain in Wash, DC until local citizens decide otherwise
End of slave trade in Wash, DC
Congress promises it won’t interfere with slave trade in the South
new Fugitive Slave Act - enforced this time

11. Why is the Compromise of 1850 so important?
Postponed the Civil War for 11 years
Realize that the issue of slavery has only been temporarily solved
Fugitive slave act enrages more Northerners
Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun are dead within 2 years & a new generation try to resolve the issues