Expansion of the
Country
Manifest Destiny
Topics You Need to Know
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Manifest Destiny
John L. O’Sullivan
Florida (1819)
Adams-Onis Treaty
Texas annexation
Oregon boundary
Texas (1845)
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War of Independence
Alamo
Battle of San Jacinto
Annexation of Texas
Oregon Country (1846)
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James K. Polk
Mexican American War
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California
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Zachary Taylor
Treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo
Mexican Cession (1848)
Gold Rush
Wilmot Proviso
Gadsden Purchase
(1853)
Manifest Destiny
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The phrase was first employed by
John L. O'Sullivan in 1845
O'Sullivan claimed, "our manifest destiny to
overspread the continent allotted by
Providence for the free development of our
yearly multiplying millions."
“American Progress” by John Gast,
1872
Manifest Destiny
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It expressed the belief that it was Anglo-Saxon
Americans' providential mission to expand their
civilization and institutions across the breadth
of North America. This expansion would
involve not merely territorial aggrandizement
but the progress of liberty and individual
economic opportunity as well.
Mexico and American Relations
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“Pobre Mexico, tan lejos del dios y tan circa a el
Estados Unidos”
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“Poor Mexico, so far from God and so close to
the United States”
Porfirio Diaz
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Texas
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Moses Austin- during Spanish period- is given
a land grant
Moses petitioned the Spanish government and
was given permission to colonize/settle 300
Anglo families on 200,000 acres of land near
San Antonio. Moses dies before Anglos settle in
Texas.
Mexican Revolution 1822 occurs- later- Stephan
Austin fulfills father’s plans to settle Anglos in
Texas.
Anglos in Texas
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Anglo settlers wanted to come to Texas for
cheap land.
However settlers had to follow certain rules:
Learn Spanish
 Follow Mexican Law
 Convert to Roman Catholic Religion
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Key Figures in Texas Independence, 1836
Sam Houston
(1793-1863)
Steven Austin
(1793-1836)
Mexican Government Reacts to
Anglo Immigration
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Problems Develop:
The colony gradually developed more Anglo than Mexican
Anglo settlers outnumbered Mexican nationals in Texas.
By 1830 there were between 20,000 and 30,000 Anglo settlers
and 2000 slaves in Texas.
Anglo settlers- were protestant, wanted to be part of the United
States and some wanted slavery in order to profit from the
cotton industry.
The Mexican government outlawed slavery in 1824 and Austin
was able to get approval for Texans to own slaves.
Santa Anna
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1833 Santa Anna takes over- popular with some
Mexican leaders and wants to reform and strengthen
the Mexican Government’s control throughout Mexico.
He wanted to reduce:
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Anglo immigration
Anglo Trade
End slavery
“Either the government occupy Texas now, or it is
lost forever.”
Texas War of Independence
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1835 Texans revolt they want:
To keep their autonomy
Keep their Anglo way of life
Eventually join the United States
Santa Anna refused to allow this and jailed
Stephen Austin for some time.
Texans decided to secede from the Mexican
Republic and begin to form a militia.
Alamo
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Texans and some Mexicans unite to fight Santa
Anna.
Sam Houston- appointed General of Texan
Army
1836- The AlamoBattle of San Jacinto- Santa Anna Captured and
forced to sign peace treatyTexas is independent
Davey Crockett’s Last Stand
The Republic of Texas
The “Lone Star Republic”
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October 1836 Texas is an independent country.
Houston Elected President
Southern Boundary of Texas claimed by
Texans- the Rio Grande.
Houston wanted US to Annex- but Jackson did
not agree. (slavery issues)
James K. Polk: “Young Hickory”
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Democrat/Fierce ExpansionistEmbodiment of Manifest Destiny
Won presidency over Whigs in
1844 Tyler saw it as a go ahead to
acquire Texas (3 days before he left
office)
Arranged annexation by joint
resolution because the needed 2/3
vote would never be secured in
senate because of the slavery issue
Texas become 28th state in 1845
after resolution passed
The Oregon Dispute: 54’ 40º or Fight!
 By the mid-1840s,
“Oregon Fever”
was spurred on by
the promise of free
land.
 The joint BritishU. S. occupation
ended in 1846.
Oregon Boundary dispute resolved
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Oregon country mostly wilderness- once
claimed by Spain, Russia, GB, and US
Russia retreats to 54 40’ line in 1824-25 treaties
with US and GB
British had a strong claim through the Hudson
Bay co.
Borders almost negotiated in Treaty of 1818
setting the line at 49th parallel
Treaty approved in Senate 1846-
Mexican American War
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Mexico Angry over Annexation of Texas
Polk and Expansionists wanted CaliforniaRichard Henry Dana
1840 700 Americans in California
6000 CaliforniosPolk tried to buy California + New Mexico $30
Billion
The Mexican War (1846-1848)
Mexican War
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July 1845 Polk sent General Zachary Taylor and
1,500 troops to Texas, near the boarder
Dispute- Mexican did not recognize the Rio
Grande as the boundary.
April 1846- war began when Mexican troops
entered Texas territory and American troops
fired…
Polk asked Senate for declaration of war May,
1846
Polk’s War Message
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The United States has made “Every effort at
reconciliation… Mexico has passed the boundary of
the United States, has invaded our territory, and shed
American blood upon the American soil.”
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Opponents said US had provoked the war- to satisfy
slave interest (Whigs)
Lincoln will be one Congressman who will complain
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Wilmot Proviso Causes Slavery issue
to enter the Debate over expansion
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Many Northern democrats did not want slavery
to expand into the territories.
Known as “Free Soilers” Wilmot was one.
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They believed that whites should not compete with
Slave labor
This amendment did not pass the Senate
But foreshadowed the debate and conflict new
territory would cause.
Wilmot Proviso, 1846
“Provided, territory from that, as an
express and fundamental condition
to the acquisition of any the
Republic of Mexico by the United
States, by virtue of any treaty which
may be negotiated between them,
and to the use by the Executive of
the moneys herein appropriated,
neither slavery nor involuntary
servitude shall ever exist in any part
of said territory, except for crime,
whereof the party shall first be
duly convicted. (Not approved by
Senate)
Representative
David Wilmot
(D-PA)
The Bear Flag Republic
The Revolt  June 14, 1845
John C. Frémont
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848
Nicholas Trist,
American Negotiator
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848
 Mexico gave up claims to Texas above
the Rio Grande River.
the U. S. California, New Mexico, Utah,
Arizona, Nevada
U. S. gave Mexico $15,000,000 and agreed
to pay the claims of American citizens
against Mexico (over $3,500,000).
Mexico lost 1/3 of claimed territory
Results of the Mexican War?
1. The 17-month war cost $100,000,000 and 13,000+
American lives (mostly of disease).
2. New territories were brought into the Union which
forced the explosive issue of SLAVERY to the
center of national politics.
* Brought in 1 million sq. mi. of land (incl.TX)
3. These new territories would upset the balance of
power between North and South.
Results of Mexican War
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Created two popular Whig generals who
ran for President.
Zachary Taylor
John C. Fremont
Manifest Destiny realized.
Many American officers gained experience
in the war and will later fight each other in
the Civil War.
The Mexican Cession
GOLD! At Sutter’s Mill, 1848
John A. Sutter
California Gold Rush, 1849
49er’s
Territorial Growth to 1853
Gadsden Purchase (1853)
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President Pierce
Needed to build a rail line in Southern Arizona
and New Mexico
$10 Million dollars