1. The belief that America should spread from coast to coast!
Manifest Destiny
The belief that America should spread from coast to coast!

2. Belief that the US should expand its territory from coast to coast
“Manifest Destiny”
Belief that the US should expand its territory from coast to coast

3. American Progress by George A. Crofutt and John Gast
Who is the woman in white?
What two objects is she holding?
What are the pioneers doing?
What types of transportation can be seen?
What are the Native Americans and animals doing?
What direction are they traveling?
What is your opinion of manifest destiny as it is depicted in this painting?
American Progress by George A. Crofutt and John Gast

4. Reasons for Manifest Destiny: Political
Fear of foreign powers invading
Spanish, French, English, and Mexican
Desire to spread Democracy and the “American” way of life
Desire to spread the institution of slavery

5. Reasons for Manifest Destiny: Economic
Belief that people could become more wealthy (Gold rush, natural resources)
Land speculators bought huge tracts of land and sold it for a profit

6. Reasons for Manifest Destiny: Social
Racism
Escape from religious persecution (Mormons)
Famine and economic struggles
Irish potato famine ( )
Belief that all people should own plot of land to keep the country free
“American Dream”

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

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

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

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

11. (don’t write this down!! Just think!)
Thinking Question
(don’t write this down!! Just think!)
Why weren’t Americans happy with the size of their country at this point in their history?

12. Mr. Manifest Destiny James K. Polk Elected President in 1844
11th President
We have skipped a few… 
Added more territory to the US (by any means) than any other President

13. Texas Independence March 1, 1836: Texas declared Independence
Elected Sam Houston as President
Houston’s troops attacked Santa Ana at San Jacinto in April 1836
Under force, Santa Ana signs Treaty of Velasco
Mexican government rejected the treaty and never recognized Texas Independence

14. U.S. Annexation of Texas Texas immediately ask for annexation by U.S.
Annexation: to incorporate a territory into another
North opposes because they fear spread of slavery
Texas remains an independent nation until March 1, 1845
Mexico sees annexation as a declaration of war

15. Factors Leading to Mexican-American War
Mexican anger over annexation of Texas (1846)
Dispute over Texas/Mexican border
Nueces River or Rio Grande
Instability of Mexican government
19 governments in 25 years
Polk Administration’s drive to expand U.S.
Polk saw his mandate as creating a coast-to-coast nation

16. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Terms:
Recognized Texas as part of the U.S.
Gave up the Mexican Cession (1848)
Annexed half of Mexico to the U.S.
U.S. Paid $15 million to Mexico for territory.
Created Rio Grande as international border
In 1853 Gadsden Purchase solidifies southern boundary
Mexico sells it to us for $10 million
“from sea to shining sea”

17. Oregon: 54° 40’ or Fight!
In his campaign, Polk talked about taking all of Oregon
54° 40’ or Fight! Was on of his slogans
Rather than fight, he settled for half
U.S. and Britain decide to divide Oregon
Extended the boundary already dividing the U.S. and Canada
Boundary remains today

18. US Territorial Expansion
When?
E - Texas
1845
From Where?
Republic of Texas
Why? A
Texas independent from Mexico in 1836
Northerners feared it would become a slave state
Annexed in 1845 despite Northern fears C B D E

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

20. US Territorial Expansion
When?
1848
G - Mexican Cession
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 D E

21. California Gold Rush and the 49-ers!
James Marshall was building a sawmill when he spotted gold in the river
Word got out and people from all over the world raced to California in 1849
Mexico, South America, Europe, Australia, China- 20,000!
Nick-named the Forty-Niners
Thousands of men hoped to get rich quick then go home
The majority did not gain any wealth and could not afford to return home
By 1852, all of the gold was gone but California now had a population of over 250,000
Could now become the first state in the West

22. US Territorial Expansion
When?
1853
F- Gadsden Purchase
From Where?
Mexico
Why?
Wanted it to build a railroad
Sold it to U.S. for $10 million
Part of today’s Arizona and New Mexico
Solidifies our southern border F A C B G F D E

23. Jigsaw: Trails West
You will be researching 3 of the main trails used by settlers during Manifest Destiny
You will find your information:
Creating America pgs
Each person in your “home group” (based on group number) will be researching a different trail:
Pink: Santa Fe
Green: Oregon
Orange: Mormon
You will move from your “home group” to an “expert group” where all three of you will be researching the same trail (based on color)
Once your expert group has read and found the required information, each of you will return to your “home group” and teach the other 2-3 people about your trail