How did Manifest Destiny shape
US government Policy?
Define: Manifest Destiny
“The fulfillment of our manifest destiny to
overspread the continent allotted by Providence
for the free development of our yearly multiplying
millions”
John L. O’Sullivan
U.S. Magazine & Democratic Review 1845
Manifest Destiny is the belief
that it was America’s God given
right to extend across the
continent to the Pacific Ocean
Why did Americans head west?
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The abundance of land was the greatest attraction
for westward expansion
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Farming opportunity
Land speculation
Settlers viewed land ownership as an important step
toward prosperity
As settlers moved west & towns were built,
merchants & manufacturers followed
Future trade with Asia created the need for western
ports
Mormons (Brigham Young) migrated west to escape
religious persecution, eventually settle
Salt Lake City, Utah
Trails West
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The Santa Fe Trail stretched 780 miles from
Independence, Missouri to Santa Fe, New
Mexico (1821-48)
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American traders, settlers used the trail to move
west
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Travelers often clashed with Native Americas,
settlements in Mexican owned territories lead to
conflicts with Mexico
The Oregon Trail stretched from
Independence to Portland Oregon
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Travel was difficult & dangerous
Caravans provided protection from possible attack
by Native Americans
Impact on Native Americans
Westward settlers clashed with Native Americans who had
already lived on western grounds
•
• Some NA’s attempted to assimilate, some were forced off native
lands, others attempted to fight the settlers
• Conflicts between Settlers and NA’s resulted in Wars which
forced NA’s west of the Mississippi River (and eventually onto
reservations)
• Forced migration & hunting of the buffalo helped to destroy
Native American culture & traditions
•Fort Laramie Treaty promises NA’s control of central plains in
exchange for permission for US government to build roads, forts.
•As settlers move west, NA’s continue to be driven from their
territories. (settlers don’t honor treaty)
Resolving Territorial Disputes:
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Westward migration of Americans
caused conflict with European nations
that held a claim to western territories
The US and Great Britain clashed over
the Oregon Territory
President James Polk called for
annexation of the entire Oregon
Territory (based his Presidency on MD)
The dispute centered on the 54-40
boundary line (possibility of war v. GB)
Newspapers adopted the slogan 54 40
or fight!
Polk believed that northern territories
were unsuitable for farming
Polk & Britain negotiated the new
border between the US and Canada on
the 49th parallel (current border)
How did Manifest Destiny shape US government Policy?
The US Government:
1.Encouraged settlers to move west: helped to
created trails, roadways, encouraging the
growth of western towns
2.Supported settlers with troops to combat Native
Americans, built forts (towns would grow
around forts)
3.Negotiated with foreign countries for western
lands
4.Fought wars over western territories
Impact of Mexican Independence
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Mexico gained Texas &
California after it secured its
independence from Spain
Mexico encouraged
Americans to settle in Texas
(to bring manufactured
goods into the country)
Mexicans and Americans
begin to clash over cultural
differences & the issue of
Slavery (Mex. Against it)
Stephen Austin established
American colony in Texas
Texas Fights for Independence
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Slavery continues to fuel hostilities between
Americans (living in Mexico) & Mexico
Austin petitioned Mexico for self-government over
Texas
Mexico refused, Austin believes that war is the only
option.
The American revolt against Mexico is put down at
the Alamo
Rebels led by Sam Houston, under the battle cry
“Remember the Alamo” secure Texas’ independence
from Mexico
Texas becomes the “Republic of Texas” (the Lone
Star Republic)
Under President Polk, Texas was annexed into the
United States (Mexico objected to the annexation)
Polk & War With Mexico
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Polk is elected president because
he campaigned as an expansionist
Mexico objected to Polk’s
annexation of Texas
Polk sends an emissary to Mexico
to purchase California, Tx, New
Mexico for $25 million
Mexico refused, Polk ordered
General Zachary Taylor to the Rio
Grande to prepare for war
Mexico viewed this as an invasion
into their territory
Many northerners questioned the
impending war with Mexico
American victory over Mexico
secured the disputed territory
(Manifest Destiny nearly complete)
America Claims the Spoils of War
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Mexico lost 50,000 men in the war
The US lost 13,000 men in the war
The US enlarged its territory about 1/3!
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo officially
ended the war
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The US gained California, Nevada, New Mexico,
Utah, Arizona, parts of Colorado & Wyoming
The US agreed to pay Mexico $15 million
(Mexican Cession)
Gadsden Purchase (Pierce Administration)
completed the borders of the 48 states
Zachary Taylor’s Election
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War hero Zachary
Taylor wins the
election of 1848 (Polk
chose not to run due
to poor health)
The ongoing
controversy over
slavery in the new
territories continues
Taylor dies in office
and is replaced by
Millard Fillmore
The California Gold Rush
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GOLD was discovered at Sutter’s
Mill in California (Near San
Francisco)
Gold Fever spread through the
country/Gold Rush causes
thousands to migrate to California
in 1849 (forty-niners)
California’s population exceeded
100,000!
California outlawed slavery &
applied for statehood
CA. statehood increased tensions
between the already strained
North & South
Conclusion: Westward Expansion
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1.
2.
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How did the US gain
western territories?
Territories were
acquired by:
Treaties/negotiations
with foreign countries
Purchased from
foreign countries
War with foreign
nations
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How did expansion
impact the US?
Native Americans
were displaced/killed
Slavery spread to
some parts of the new
territories
The spread of
slavery caused
greater conflict
between north &
south