1. Map of United States Circa 1830
Manifest Destiny
Map of United States Circa 1830

2. American Progress – Manifest Destiny
What is going on? Who is in this? What is happening?
What is Manifest Destiny?

3. What is “Manifest Destiny?”
Belief that the US should expand its territory from coast to coast
It was “Obvious” that the United States should expand its territory.
"(It is) ..our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty"
-John O'Sullivan

4. What is Manifest Destiny?
Belief that white Americans had a God-given right to occupy the entire North American continent.
Manifest Destiny was exercised in 1492 by Christopher Columbus and the Spanish monarchs.
Pilgrim Fathers when they landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620.
Any act of colonization and settlement at the expense of another race can be said to be an expression of Manifest Destiny.
Once the concept had been given the name 'Manifest Destiny' it became widely used, appearing in newspapers, debates, paintings and advertisements. It became the leading light for westward expansion

5. The Homestead Act
1841
Government of America passed an act that allowed people to purchase 160 acres of Plains land for a very small price
Act passed in 1862 divided 2.5 million acres of Plains land into sections or homesteads of 160 acres
People could now claim 160 acres of land
The only requirement on their part was that they paid a small administration charge and built a house and lived on the land for at least 5 years

6. US Territorial Expansion
When?
A - 13 Original Colonies
1776
From Where?
Great Britain
Why?
US declared independence from Great Britain A

7. US Territorial Expansion
When?
B - Western Lands
1783
From Where?
Great Britain
Why?
Part of results of Treaty of Paris (ended Revolutionary War) A B

8. US Territorial Expansion
When?
C - Louisiana Purchase
1803
From Where?
France
Why?
Napoleon needed $
Jefferson wanted to buy New Orleans
He got all of this instead! A C B

9. US Territorial Expansion
When?
D - Florida
1819
From Where?
Spain
Why?
Andrew Jackson invaded
Spain then sold it to us for $5 million A C B D

10. US Territorial Expansion
When?
E - Texas
1845
From Where?
Republic of Texas (Independent Country)
Why?
Texas independent from Mexico in 1836
Northerners feared it would become a slave state
Fears finally overcome in 1944 Presidential election A C B E D

11. US Territorial Expansion
When?
F - Oregon Territory
1846
From Where?
Great Britain
Why?
Claimed by four countries (G. Britain, Russia, Spain, & US)
Americans demanded “54° 40’ or fight!”
Britain compromised 49° & US accepted F A C B E D

12. US Territorial Expansion
When?
G - Mexican Cession
1848
From Where?
Mexico
Why?
Polk offers to buy G from Mexico & they refuse
War!
US wins
In Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, US offers $15 million for G F A C B G E D