Continental U.S. Territorial Acquisitions 1783-1855
A: New American States
When?
B. New Western Land
When?
C. Louisiana Purchase
When?
From Where? Why?
From Where? Why?
From Where? Why?
D. Florida
When?
E. Texas (Lone Star Republic)
When?
F. Oregon Territory (54 40 or Fight!)
When?
From Where? Why?
From Where? Why?
From Where? Why?
G. Mexican “Cession”
When?
H. Gadsden Purchase (Treaty)
When?
1854
From Where? Why?
United States pays Mexico $10 million to get
remaining land necessary in Southwest U.S. for
a southern transcontinental railroad and
attempted to resolve conflicts that lingered after
the Mexican-American War.
From Where? Why?
Manifest Destiny and the Annexation of Texas (1830-1850)
Questions:
How did Manifest Destiny change how Americans viewed North America?
In what ways did Manifest Destiny impact how Americans interacted with Indians?
What were the causes and effects of the Texas War for Independence?
What land acquisitions were gained as a result of the Polk Administration?
I. Manifest Destiny: manifest: clear or obvious
destiny: future or fate
A. Belief that the US should _____________________ its territory from _____________________________________
a. It was “obvious” that the United States should expand its territory if it was to become the greatest nation in the world
b. Belief that white Americans had a _______________________ right to ____________________ the entire North American continent
B. Any act of _________________________ and ____________________at the expense of another race can be said to be an expression of Manifest Destiny
a. 1492 by Christopher Columbus and the Spanish monarchs
b. Pilgrims when they landed at Plymouth Rock/Massachusetts Bay in 1620
John Gast’s, American Progress, 1872
Image: Subjective observations
What does it represent/How does it relate to Manifest
Destiny?
Why weren’t Americans happy with the size of their
country at this point in their history?
II. Western settlement during Manifest Destiny
Once the concept had been given the name 'Manifest Destiny' it became the leading reason for westward expansion
A. The __________________________ Act of 1841 (Tyler)—U.S. gov’t allowed “squatters” (aka “preempters”) on federal lands in the Plains (West) to
purchase land for $1.25/acre BEFORE the land was actually part of the United States
a. Also called “squatter sovereignty”—squatters claimed they owned pieces of land solely because they lived there
b. widely used by settlers in __________________ and _______________________ Territories (which were opened to settlement in _________)
B. The Homestead Act of 1862 (Lincoln)—first of a series of federal acts that gave those who applied a grant of 160 acres of unused federal land, called a
“homestead”
a. Initially proposed as part of Northern “__________________________” policies, meaning no slavery was allowed (no expanding plantations)
b. Not open to __________________________ after the war; freed slaves and women could claim land
c. Had to build a house and live on the land (homesteading) for at least 5 years
III. Texas Independence Movement (Lone Star Republic)
Key Figures:
1.
2.
A. In 1821, Mexico won its independence from __________________ and encouraged Mexicans and Americans to move to the region called “Texas”
a. The Spanish government tried to attract Spanish setters to Texas, few took the offer
B. Only about 4,000 __________________ (people of Spanish heritage who consider Texas their home) lived in Texas
a. American Moses Austin had prior permission to start a colony in Texas; Americans just had to follow _______________________________.
b. Moses dies 1821, son Stephen takes over
C. With independence, Mexican gov’t creates new laws Americans are opposed to:
a. Must become _______________________ citizens, follow ______________________, learn ________________
D. 1821-1827, Austin attracts 297 families; success attracts U.S. land speculators, settlers to Texas
a. In 1829, the Mexican government outlawed slavery, close state to Americans, start taxing Texans
1. Settlers want to keep slaves on their _______________ plantations
2. Texans began talk of ___________________________ from Mexico
3. 1830: Americans outnumber Tejanos 6:1
E. Mexican president, General Antonio Lopez de _____________________ sends Mexican troops to Texas
a. Austin jailed for refusal to cede power to military; Texans revolt
b. Santa Anna led 6,000 troops to Texas to put down the revolt; first battle takes place at an old Spanish ________________, the ____________
c. __________ Texans take on _____________ Mexican soldiers; hold the Alamo 12 days
Famous American frontiersmen lead the battle:
1.
2.
a. Men not killed in the battle were executed by Santa Anna (over 300 Texans)
IV. Battle at San Jacinto: “Remember the Alamo!”
Texans shocked by the slaughter at the Alamo and vowed independence
A. Texan general _________________________ gathered 800 troops including Tejanos, settlers, volunteers, and African Americans
a. At the town of San Jacinto, the Texans defeat __________ of the Mexican army in ________________________
b. Santa Anna forced to sign a treaty granting ____________________________________
B. In 1836, Texas declared itself ________________________________________________.
a. Sam Houston as President
b. Some wanted Texas to be part of the U.S., but Pres. __________________ refused the request
a. Texas as slave state
b. Throwing off balance of political power/representation in Congress
c. War with Mexico