Essential Question:
What is Manifest
Destiny and how did
the U.S. expand to the
Pacific coast?
Manifest Destiny
• Definition: Belief that it was America’s God
given right to settle land all the way to the
Pacific Ocean.
• Various reasons for moving west
The Oregon Treaty
• Shared territory with G.B. since 1818
• Polk’s slogan: Fifty four forty or fight!
• U.S. and British set the border at the 49th parallel
in 1846
Texas Independence
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Americans settle Texas
Belonged to Spain, then
Mexico
In exchange for land must
surrender American
citizenship, swear allegiance
to Mexico, adopt Roman
Catholic religion
Mexico unhappy with U.S.
influence
Texans declare independence
from Mexico on Mar 2 1836
and war breaks out
The Alamo
• 200 Texans captured a fort in San Antonio
• Thousands of Mexicans lay siege to the fort for
12 days and nights
• Kill nearly all 200 defenders
• Texans win Battle of San Jacinto, force Santa
Anna to sign a treaty, and gain independence
War With Mexico
• Texans vote to join Union
• Opinion of Americans mixed
• Texas joins Union in 1845 as a
slave state
• Mexico breaks diplomatic
relations with U.S.
• U.S. offers to pay for New
Mexico and CA
• Mexico refuses
• Blood shed in disputed territory
• War begins!!
Bear Flag Revolt
• U.S. uses aggressive military strategy
• Californians easily defeat Mexican forces
• Declare CA to be independent Republic of
California
• U.S. forces arrive and gain control of CA
• U.S. forces overwhelm Mexican forces in U.S.
and Mexico
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
1. Mexico gives up TX
2. Mexican Cession: U.S. gets land in present
day CA, NV, UT, WY, CO, AZ, NM
3. US pays Mexico $15M
4. Gadsden Purchase
Nevada
Area in red: Mexican Cession
Area in orange: Gadsden Purchase
C
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Arizona
h
Colorado
New Mexico
The California Gold Rush 1848
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Gold found at Sutter’s sawmill
Secret got out – arrive from Eu., As, S.A., East C.
80,000 move to CA in 1849 (miners, businessmen)
Rise of CA cities
1850 31st State
Pop Quiz!! 4 points. 1 paragraph.
What is Manifest Destiny? Explain
how the United States acquired
Texas and additional land along the
Southwest coast in the mid 19th
century.