1. Manifest Destiny

2. Manifest Destiny
It is “our manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federated self-government entrusted to the U.S.” –James Sullivan

3. Spirit of Manifest Destiny

4. Age of Immigration
saw largest immigration population proportionate to total population in American history. Why?
Irish
German
Rise of nativist groups

5. Gobierno de Mexicano
Missions - political, economic and religious goals
Very few Hispanics settled in western region due to lack of military protection on frontier

6. Americans in Texas
Search for new cotton growing areas and Panic of 1819
Mexican government changes policy (initially encouraged American settlement but closed TX in 1830)

7. Texas Revolution Santa Anna (dictator/general) Sam Houston-leader
Alamo
Goliad
Sam Houston-leader
San Jacinto
Forced Santa Anna to sign treaty granting independence
Mexico still considered Texas a rebellious province

8. Was it all a game? California, Oregon, New Mexico Oregon Trail
Just like the game
By 1846, 5,000 Americans had settled in Oregon

9. Oh No! Not “Tyler too” Election of 1840 Tyler
Whigs took control with Harrison (a figure head for Henry Clay) at the wheel
Internal Improvements, tariffs
Tyler
Consistently vetoed his own party’s bills
Resulted in congressional election of 1842 which left the Whigs in control of Senate, gave Democrats control of House and President who had no party support

10. Tyler’s foreign politics
Aroostook War and The Webster-Ashburton Treaty
Texas-denied
Joint resolution
Texas became part of the U.S. in 1845

11. Election time Again?! (1844) Role of Liberty Party Tyler (dropped out)
Whigs
Henry Clay - “Compromised away the Presidency”
Democrats
Van Buren?
James K. Polk
Role of Liberty Party
James Birney

12. Polk the Persistent Goals Lower Tariff - Walker Tariff of 1846
Independent Treasury - passed in 1846
Acquisition of CA - Mexican War
Settlement of Oregon dispute - 49th Parallel in 1846

13. Why fight Mexico? Not everyone happy Money Memories of Alamo Texas
Mexico threatened war
Texas citizens worried
Polk forces a showdown b/c he wants California
Not everyone happy
Spot Resolutions
Northerners

14. War (1846-1848) “Old Rough and Ready” (Taylor) and “Old Fuss and Feathers” (Scott)
Taylor’s victories
Rio Grande
Buena Vista
Scott’s victories
Vera Cruz
Mexico City
Kearny and Fremont in California
“Bear Flag Republic”

15. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Mexico ceded Texas with Rio Grande boundary, NM, CA to U.S.
U.S. assumed American debts to Mexican government and paid $15 million

16. Popular Opinion Media coverage Romance books Zachary Taylor - war hero
Profits
Increased size of U.S. by 1/3
Field experience
Marine Corp

17. Opening Shots of Civil War?
Polk’s view on slavery
Wilmot Proviso
Prohibition of slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico except Texas
Constitutional?
DID NOT PASS!