Manifest Destiny
8th Grade American History
Martin Van Buren- Democratic president
elected in 1836 (served as VP under
Jackson); Although there was an
economic depression, he did little to
interfere with the nation’s economy
(laissez-faire).
Panic of 1837- An event that began a
depression; land values dropped,
investments declined, and banks failed.
Many farmers went into debt and
people in the cites could not afford food
or rent.
Tippecanoe and Tyler too!
William Henry Harrison- Whig presidential candidate in
1840 and hero of the War of 1812. To gain common
supporters, he was portrayed as a “man of the
people” and his “log cabin campaign” won the
election!
John Tyler- The first Vice President to become
President after serving for a few months. He was not
considered loyal to the Whigs because he supported
“Democratic” ideals like states’ rights.
The Whig Party only lasted from 1833-1856. They supported
the power of Congress over the Executive Branch. Essentially,
it was formed to oppose Jacksonian Democrats.
In the early 1800s, four nations claimed the Oregon
country–these nations were the United States, Britain,
Spain, and Russia
• American settlers began traveling to the
Oregon country in the 1830s, lured by reports
of abundant, fertile land.
• The first large-scale trip west took place
in 1843 when more than 1,000 pioneers left
Independence, Missouri, for Oregon.
• In the years that followed, tens of thousands
of Americans made the trip
Oregon Country- Area between Pacific Ocean and the Rocky
Mountain (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana,
Wyoming, and British Columbia). First, fur trappers went to
the area to trap beavers, but soon other adventurous
“Mountain Men” joined. This land had been previously
controlled by Spain, Russia, and Britain
Oregon Trail- The most practical route to the western U.S.
The trip lasted five or six months and the pioneers had to
fight difficult terrain, disease, and hunger. Most traveled
along in prairie schooners (covered wagons).
The Division of Oregon
Oregon became an issue in the
presidential election of 1844.
• James K. Polk, the Democratic candidate, ran
using the slogan “Fifty-four Forty or Fight.”
• The slogan referred to the line of latitude at
54°40’N, which Democrats thought should be
the nation’s northern border in Oregon.
• Polk’s opponent, Henry Clay (a Whig), did not
take as strong a stand as Polk on annexing
Oregon, and lost the election, despite Polk’s
nickname as a “Dark Horse”
• Determined to make Oregon part of the United States,
but unable to get Britain to agree to a boundary at 54°40”
N–which would have turned over almost the whole
territory to the United States–Polk decided to
compromise.
• Polk concluded an agreement with Britain in
June 1846 that split Oregon at 49°N, with the
area south of that line becoming a territory of
the United States.
• Although Polk only served one term, he is
known as the President who oversaw the
greatest expansion of America and was the last
“strong” President before the Civil War
Steven Austin- “Father of Texas.” After organizing
land grants for colonies in Texas, he served as a
spokesman with Mexico but was later put in
prison for promoting Texan independence.
Sam Houston- Fought for Texan Independence
from Mexico; later became governor of the
Republic and later a senator for the state of TX
Santa Anna- Mexican leader and general who fought
Texans; was once captured at the Battle of San
Jacinto and signed the treaty which declared TX
independent
The Alamo- A barricaded mission held
by Texans for 12 days against Santa
Anna’s men until the Mexicans
launched an all out attack. This
prompted the cry “Remember the
Alamo!”
The defenders at the Alamo, including
Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, held off
with rifle fire the larger and betterarmed Mexican forces surrendered on
March 6, 1836. This was after Mexican
cannon fire smashed the Alamo’s walls
and then they attacked, killing almost
everyone inside.
At the Battle of San Jacinto, the
forces of Houston and Santa Anna clashed.
• The battle started on April 21, 1836, when the
Texans launched a surprise attack on the
Mexican camp.
• They killed about 600 of the 1300-man force,
and captured 700 other soldiers, including Santa
Anna.
• After less than one year of fighting, the war was
over. Texas officially became known as the Lone
Star Republic. In September 1836, Texans
elected Sam Houston as the first president of
their new republic.
The New Mexico Territory
• To boost its economy, Mexico welcomed
American traders.
• William Becknell was the first trader to reach
Santa Fe, the main settlement in the New
Mexico region.
• He discovered that he could sell his
merchandise in New Mexico for more than
what he would have received for it back in St.
Louis.
• When word spread, other traders followed.
This trail later became known as the Santa Fe
Trail and was used until the arrival of the
Railroad in 1880
California
• By the early 1800s, Americans had been arriving in
California for many years on trading or whaling ships that
stopped along the coast, or as travelers (such as mountain
men) who had come overland from the East.
• In the 1840s American families began to settle
in California. But by 1845 the number of
Americans in California was still only about 700.
• President Polk twice offered to buy California
and New Mexico from Mexico during the mid1840s, but was turned down.
Mexican War- 1846
War between America and Mexico over
NM and California AND because
America annexed Texas; In addition,
there were boundary disputes over the
Rio Grande River/Nueces River.
President Polk had hoped for war and
tried to drive forces out of the border,
seize New Mexico and California, and to
take the capital of Mexico, Mexico City.
Bear Flag Republic- Name for California, beginning
on June 14, 1846, because of its newly formed
independent republic. CA led several rebellions
against Mexican rule even before Americans
started the Mexican War.
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo- Mexican-American
peace treaty signed in 1848 after American troops
stormed Mexico City. Mexico was forced to give
up CA and New Mexico to the US; the U.S. paid
Mexico $15 million
Gadsden Purchase- 1853- America fulfills its
“destiny” by purchasing a strip of land in Arizona
and NM for $10 million. They bought it from
Mexico.
California Gold Rush- A wave of 49ers who came
from America, Europe, Australia, and China in
hopes of striking it rich in GOLD.