1. Topic: Evaluating the impact of Manifest Destiny

2. Polk and Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny- coast to coast (imperialism?)
Coined by John O’Sullivan in newspapers
End of 1844: Tyler annexes Texas
Mexico angry
Tyler leaves it to Polk
1845: Polk vows to expand our territory
Oregon deal: US land up to the 49th Parallel
The Slidell Mission: attempt to buy California from Mexico-  Mexico refuses

3. Conflict with Mexico Mexico angry w/ US
Texas problem: where is the boarder (Rio Grande River)
Mexico owes US money
Polk wants a short war to acquire California
1846: US troops attacked on the Rio Grande River
Polk: “US blood spilled on US soil”  war declared
Santa Anna rallies Mexicans to fight back
Polk accused by Anti-slavery Whigs of “lying” about the cause of war
Lincoln’s “spot resolutions”

4. The Mexican-American War (1846-48)
American troops pour through Texas, into California and Mexico
Kearny and Fremont in the north
Zachary Taylor at Buena Vista
Winfield Scott seizes Mexico City  Mexico surrenders
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
Nicholas P. Trist
Texas annexation officially recognized
California, other territory (New Mexico, Nevada, etc) handed over
15 million payment for the Mexican Cession
War over

5. Manifest Destiny and Slavery
Why not annex all of Mexico?
Now, would slavery spread into these new territories?
Widespread abolitionist opposition, some Whigs
“War to help ‘slaveocracy’”
Nation and parties now split on sectional lines
Wilmot Proviso
David Wilmot, (Penn congressman)
No slavery permitted in the new Mexican Cession territories
Never passed in Congress

6. Conclusion
How did Manifest Destiny impact the United States, positively and negatively? Explain your answer in 3-4 sentences.