1. USHC Standard 2: The student will demonstrate an understanding of how economic developments and the westward movement impacted regional differences and democracy in the early nineteenth century.
USHC 2.2: Explain how the Monroe Doctrine and the concept of Manifest Destiny affected the United States’ relationships with foreign powers, including the role of the United States in the Texan Revolution and the Mexican War.
Monroe Doctrine and Manifest Destiny
The Mexican War

2. Monroe Doctrine

3. Monroe Doctrine
policy, as stated by President Monroe in 1823, that the U.S. opposed further European colonization of and interference with independent nations in the Western Hemisphere

4. History of the Monroe Doctrine
• When the early 19th century wars of liberation in South America ended their mercantilist relationship with Spain, Great Britain established strong trade ties with Latin America • When the monarchs were restored in Europe at the end of the Napoleonic wars, they wanted to restore their colonial holdings in South America • Great Britain wanted to protect its lucrative trade and encouraged the United States to join Britain in opposing any reestablishment of colonial claims • President Monroe issued the Monroe Doctrine, warning European nations not to attempt to reestablish those colonial claims

5. Why is the Monroe Doctrine significant?
• American military power was very limited in the early 19th century and the enforcement of the Monroe Doctrine primarily depended on the British navy • The Monroe Doctrine would be used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a basis for United States involvement in Latin American affairs by Presidents Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson, which caused resentment among Latin Americans

6. Manifest Destiny

7. Manifest Destiny
the belief that Americans had a God-given right to all the land of the North American continent

8. The phrase “Manifest Destiny” was coined in the early 1800’s, but was an idea that had predominated American thought since the first settlers
John L. O’Sullivan

9. Why did “Manifest Destiny” develop?
It was based on an ethnocentric confidence that other peoples were less favored by divine providence and should give way before the Americans

10. How was “Manifest Destiny” applied by Americans?
The annexation of Texas: • Many Americans moved into Texas, as an invitation of the Mexican government, to have more land for cotton and slavery • The conditions for the invitation included that the Texans would obey the laws of Mexico • When the Mexican government outlawed slavery, the Texans revolted and won their independence

11. How was “Manifest Destiny” applied by Americans?
The annexation of Texas: • However, the Mexican government did not recognize Texan independence • The annexation of Texas to the United States was delayed in order to avoid the controversy that the addition of the new state would raise • Texas remained independent for almost a decade

12. Annexation of Texas

13. How was “Manifest Destiny” applied by Americans?
The election of James Polk in 1844: • Manifest Destiny became a rallying cry for the election of James Polk in 1844 • Texas was annexed by joint resolution of Congress shortly after

14. How was “Manifest Destiny” applied by Americans?
The Mexican War: • President Polk sent representatives to Mexico to offer to purchase additional Mexican territory but his offer was rebuffed • Then, Polk sent American troops into a region that was disputed between Texas and Mexico • The Mexicans interpreted this as a hostile act and shots were fired • President Polk interpreted this action as an act of war

15. How was “Manifest Destiny” applied by Americans?
The Mexican War: • In the war, the U.S. forces was able to penetrate far enough into Mexico and the Mexicans surrendered • In the peace treaty the United States acquired land that today includes the states of California, New Mexico and Arizona

16. Why is the Mexican War so significant?
Land acquired by the United States in the war was neither U.S. territory or unclaimed land
MAIN IDEA: The Mexican War established a confrontational relationship between the United States and Mexico that lasted into the 20th century and may still influence resentments intensified by the contemporary controversy over illegal immigration