Chapter 17.1As Americans start to move west, an idea started to take hold

• By 1840’s– Americans had moved into

every part of the North America

– Texas– California Territory– Oregon Territory

– Problem:• Should we be sharing this

land with other people? – Native Americans?– Mexicans?

– What do you think?

America’s Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny

Other Reasons why USA should expand across the continent

• Social Reason– People don’t like people!

• When it gets crowded, we need to be able to move away from others!

• Economic Reason– Businesses need more land and resources

• Farming needs land• Industry needs resources

– Coal– Wood– Gold?

American Expansion

Who’s going to lead us?

• April, 1841– President William H.

Harrison gives his inauguration speech• Problem: It’s pouring down

rain!

• 2 weeks later:– Pres. Harrison dies of

pneumonia!• VP John Tyler takes over!

Why is this important? • William H. Harrison

– Did not believe in slavery!• Wanted America to expand

with no slavery!

• John Tyler– Slave owner from Virginia

• Wanted to make Texas a slave state!

• Why is this bad?– Free States = 14– Slave States = 15

Election of 1844

Election of 1844• John Tyler drops out and gets

married!

• Main issue of election = Manifest Destiny

– Henry Clay • Said he was against annexation

of Texas…

– James Polk• Warned if America doesn’t take

Texas, someone else will! – England!– Mexico!

• Winner = James Polk! – 11th POTUS

Pres. Polk gets to work immediately

• Pres. Polk worked hard to bring Oregon and Texas to the USA– Oregon would be easy

• Why? – Nobody wanted it but us!

» And the Native Americans…

• 1848– America makes Oregon a

territory» Now all they need is

60,000 settlers!

Texas would not be so easy

War Breaks Out…• Mexico claims that USA is

claiming more land then just Texas!

• Mexico believes Texas southern border– Nueces River

• Pres. Polk believes Texas southern border – Rio Grande River

• Why? – Its farther south!– More land!

– So, what do you do?

Pres. Polk sends US Army to protect its new land!

• Sends General Zachary Taylor to Rio Grande

– March 1846• Makes camp by Rio Grande

– April 1846• Mexican army attacks Taylor’s

camp!– Kills 11 troops!

– Pres. Polk: • “Mexico has shed American

blood upon the American soil!”

• What dos this mean? WAR!

Review Questions

• What is manifest destiny?

• How does John Tyler become president?

• Who wins the election of 1844?

• What two areas does the POTUS want to join the United States?