Manifest Destiny
© Mark Batik
Jesuit College Preparatory
John Gast – “American Progress,” (1872)
Manifest What?
John L. O’Sullivan coins the phrase a
democratic editor
“The right of our manifest destiny to
over spread and to possess the whole
of the continent which Providence has
given us for the development of the
great experiment of liberty and
federaltive development of self
government entrusted to us. It is right
such as that of the tree to the space of
air and the earth suitable for the full
expansion of its principle and destiny
of growth.”
What does it mean to say that America is
exceptional?
Key Themes
Virtue (american exceptionalism)
Mission
Destiny
What would be signs of divine providence
signaling appreciation for the American
project?
What did it mean?
A conviction that God intended North
America to be in control of the United
States and the American people.
A justification post hoc for what was
already going on.
Something of a phenomenon, movement,
and systematic body of thinking
Desire to explore and conquer
Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way (mural study, U.S. Capitol)
Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze
Nationalism
“...It is confidently believed that our system
may be safely extended to the
utmost bounds of our territorial limits, and
that as it shall be extended the
bonds of our Union, so far from being
weakened, will become stronger...”
~ From the inaugural address of James
K. Polk, 11th President (1845-49)
Religion
Conrad Cherry—“America is a nation
called to a special destiny by God.”
John Winthrop—“America had been
providentially chosen for a special destiny.”
Great Awakenings
Mormons
Trails West
Trade with the far east
Asia
American East
Coast
Security on the borders
Progress
High population growth
Rise of Agriculture
Other Economic/Agriculture factors
1818, 1839 economic depressions
Cheap land
Desire for land ownership
Technological advances
Agrarian ideal
Slave states
Annexation?
Wanted to be annexed in 1830s but
domestic politics prevented it
TX constitution has open invitation but
Jackson does nothing and Van Buren does
nothing
One more slave state
 Abolitionist outrage
 Van Buren might be hurt in the election

Behind the Scenes
Jackson recognizes the existence of TX
on the last day of his presidency
In 1843, the US starts secret
negotiations with TX
Calhoun again: Sends a letter to a
British minister about abolition
An attempted treaty of annexation is
rejected


Afraid of sectionalism
Afraid of war with Mexico
Election of 1844
Election of 1844
Polk runs on a platform of Manifest Destiny

Re-occupation of Oregon and the re-annexation of Texas
Henry Clay runs
54º 40’ or Fight!! All of Oregon or none
British refuse to compromise because of Vancouver Island
1845 Polk asks for permission to give the British a year
The Brits aren’t interested in a fight and in 1846 they
submit a treaty 49º less Vancouver Island
War With Mexico
Mexico anger over TX
US motivated (captivated) by California
US pushes troops up to the border
In May 1846, Polk asks for war after
Mexico shoots
End of war
By 1847, Mexico City was occupied
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
Mexico gives up claims to TX
 Cedes CA and NM to the US
 US pays 15 million and assumes claims (if
people had a claim against the Mexican
government, now they had a claim against the
US government)

Treaty of 1846 Line
Mexican Cession
Webster Ashburton Treaty 1842
Gadsden Purchase
Texas Annexation
Is Manifest Destiny the reason or the
justification for American expansion?
What would the United States look like
without such a dominant belief in the 19th
century?