Manifest Destiny
1840’s
California History
Manifest Destiny
• Journalist John L. O’
Sullivan coined the
phrase- Manifest Destiny.
• He stated, “The United
States was predestined to
control the entire
continent because God
wanted it that way.”
• “Americans believed that
they were destined to
spread to Pacific coast”
Journalist John L. O’ Sullivan
Why did Americans support
Manifest Destiny?
• Americans wanted to settle
on land along the west
coast
• Americans feared the
British would take vacant
lands in the west.
• Merchants needed a place
to reload ship as they
traveled to Asia.
• Americans felt they were
spreading democratic
values and freedom to the
west.
• The rise of nationalism in
the country.
The Goals of Manifest Destiny
TEXAS REVOLUTION
1836
AMERICANS LIVING IN
MEXICAN TERRITORIES
• Mexico gained its independence from Spain in
1820.
• Many Americans moved to Mexico for its vast
stretch of land.
• Many Americans were illegal immigrants
because they chose not to honor Mexico’s
rules of citizenship.
– Americans had to take an oath of allegiance to
Mexico.
– Americans had to convert to Catholicism.
Texas’s Rebellion
• The Mexican government and the Texas settlers
could not agree on how many immigrants could come
into Texas.
• They could not agree on the issue of slavery since
Americans were bringing slaves into the territory.
• Finally, how would Texans govern themselves.
STEPHEN AUSTIN VS.
ANTONIO SANTA ANA
• Stephen F. Austin led the
rebellion against Mexico
since the Texans were not
happy with Mexico’s
government.
Stephen F. Austin
• General Antonio Santa
Ana led the rebellion
against the Americans.
Antonio Santa Ana
THE FALL OF ALAMO
• Sam Houston fought against
General Martin de Cos.
• The Mexicans surrendered at
Gonzalez.
• General Santa Ana marched to
Alamo and they fought for 11
days.
• The Americans were massacred
at the mission.
• At the battle of San Jacinto,
the Mexicans were caught off
guard and were ambushed.
• Mexico surrendered to Sam
Houston and Texas was free
and independent.
The
MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR:
1846-1848
MANIFEST DESTINYEXPANDING TO THE WEST
Events leading to
The Mexican-American War
• In 1835, The United States offered to
purchase California for 5 millions dollars.
Mexico refused.
• In 1845, United States offered to purchase
New Mexico and California for 25 million
dollars.
• The US would absorb Mexico’s debt since
it owed money to Americans.
Causes
• Mexico was not happy with Texas
annexing to United States
• Mexico and United States arguing over the
Rio Grande River and Nueces River
Boundaries
• United States wanted to expand to the
West.
California’s Influence
• Many Americans were
moving to California
• President Polk wanted
California to be part of
US.
• He was a big supporter
of Manifest Destiny.
James Polk
US Generals: Zachary Taylor
•"Tell him to go to hell."
(His reply to Mexican
General Santa Anna's
demand for surrender)"
Zachary Taylor
Upon its preservation [the United States]
must depend our own happiness and that
of countless generations to come.
Whatever dangers may threaten it, I shall
stand by it and maintain it in its integrity to
the full extent of the obligations imposed
and the power conferred upon me by the
Constitution." (1849) Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor
US General: Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott
"I give it as my fixed opinion, that but
for our graduated cadets, the war
between the United States and
Mexico, might, and probably would
have, lasted some four or five years
with in its first half, more defeats than
victories falling to our share; whereas,
in less than two campaigns, we
conquered a great country and a
peace, without the loss of single battle
or skirmish."
Battles in Mexico
• Americans invaded New Mexico in 1846
• Many Americans died because of bad
conditions and diseases in Mexico
Battles in Mexico
• General Zachary Taylor led the troops
in Monterrey and captured the city on
September 25, 1846.
Battle of Monterrey
Battles in Mexico
• On March 28, 1847 ,General Winfield
Scott landed in Veracruz and defeated
the Mexicans. It was important for
Americans to control the port.
Battles in Mexico
• In the Fall of
Chapultepec,
Mexico lost to
the Americans
• Ninos Heroes
tried to hold on
to the Castle but
failed- they died
rather than
surrender
Americans taking over Mexico City
Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• It was signed on February
2, 1848.
• United States paid 15
million for the following
states: California, Nevada,
Arizona, New Mexico and
Utah.
• The border boundary was
the Rio Grande
Gadsden Purchase
• In 1853, the United States purchased a
small strip of land in Arizona and New
Mexico.
• United States paid 10 million.
• This would help with the railroad getting to
California
Results of the war
• Over 100 million was spent on
the war.
• 13,780 people were killed.
• It helped Americans train in
military battle and it was
preparation for the Civil War
• Zachary “Old Rough and
Ready” Taylor becomes
President under the Whigs
Zachary Taylor
Sources
• http://www.pbs.org/kera/usmexicanwar/res
ources/primary_sources.html#
• http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons
/guadalupe-hidalgo/
• http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/gu
adhida.asp
• http://www.dmwv.org/mexwar/documents/
polk.htm