Manifest Destiny and Westward
Expansion 1840-1861
Manifest Destiny
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Term was coined by New York
journalist John L. O’Sullivan in 1845
According to O’Sullivan, the U.S. had
a divinely appointed mission to
occupy all of North America
Justified his beliefs on the idea of
freedom
Goal of westward expansion was to
expand freedom
Manifest Destiny in Action
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Texas
• Originally part of Mexico after Mexico
gains independence from Spain in 1821
• Texas colonized by Americans under the
Austin family
• Slavery was also illegal under the Mexican
government
• Local authorities, however, allow slaves.
Why?
“Remember the Alamo”
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In 1836, a revolt starts between Mexican
troops under General Santa Anna and
American settlers
March 13, 1836-Santa Anna storms the
Alamo, a mission compound in San Antonio
killing 187 Americans and Tejanos (non
Indians of Spanish origin)
In April, American forces under Sam
Houston win the Battle of San Jacinto
Mexico forced to recognize Texan
independence
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Texas wants to join the US
Presidents Jackson and Van Buren
concerned about the issue of slavery
Many slave owning settlers continue
to migrate to Texas
Cotton
“Oregon Fever”
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Both Britain and the United States claim the
Oregon Territory
Britain-Fur Trade
United States
• Discovery of Columbia River in 1792
• Expeditions of Lewis and Clark
• Trading post and fort established by John Jacob
Astor in 1811
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Fertile farm land
• Oregon Trail- 2,000 miles
• Settle south of Columbia River
“54° 40’ or Fight” The Election of 1844
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President John Tyler vs. eventually James K.
Polk
Tyler becomes President in 1840 after
William Henry Harrison dies shortly after his
inauguration
Annexation of Texas becomes Tyler’s key reelection issue
Democratic Convention- 2 main candidates
Former President Martin Van Buren and
John C. Calhoun
Whig candidate is Henry Clay
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Van Buren against annexation of Texas
Calhoun for annexation of Texas
Caused convention to deadlock
Delegates finally nominate Polk
• slave owner
• cotton plantation owner in Tennessee
• “Jacksonian Democrat”
Platform called for annexation of Texas and
“reoccupation” of Oregon to its northern border
Clay changes his mind and supports annexation of
Texas
Whigs lose New York in Electoral College vote
Polk elected President
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Outgoing President Tyler viewed Polk’s
election as a mandate to add Texas to the
Union
Persuaded Congress to pass a joint
resolution on annexation rather than a
Senate treaty
In March 1845, just before the inauguration,
U.S. annexes Texas
Oregon Resolution
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President Polk compromises with Britain
Moves away from “Fifty-four Forty or Fight”
campaign slogan
Oregon territory divided at 49th parallel
The Mexican War (1846-1848)
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Was the Mexican War an example of Manifest
Destiny?
Was the Mexican War our country’s first imperialistic
war?
US wants to acquire California
Mexican government refuses
President Polk is ready to use the military
Fighting started between troops from both sides on a
disputed border between Mexico and Texas
Polk claimed Mexico attacked Americans on American
soil
Constant changes in Mexican government
Many criticize President Polk for provoking a war
Supporters-spread of liberty
Opponents-America zealous for land and expansion
of slavery
Lincoln- “Spot” Speech, Making “war at pleasure”
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Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) ends
the war
Main points: Confirmed annexation of Texas,
ceded California and present day New
Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah to the
U.S.
In return, US paid Mexico $15 million dollars
Rise of transcendentalism
• Ralph Waldo Emerson
• Henry David Thoreau
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Was the Mexican War an example of
Manifest Destiny?
Was the Mexican War our country’s first
imperialistic war?