manifest destiny
DESCRIPTION
Manifest Destiny, Annexation of Texas, Oregon TrailTRANSCRIPT
Looking Westwardpp. 348-359
Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny Writer John O’Sullivan coined the phrase in 1845
Destined by God & history to expand from coast to coast
Fit w/ nationalism movement
Racial motives for expansion “Racial purity” & superiority of the “American race”
Expansion opposed by some, including Clay Would re-open debate of spreading slavery westward
TexasTexas 1803—Claimed by U.S. in LA Purchase
1819—Given to Spain as part of Adams-Onis Treaty
1821—Becomes part of Mexico as Mexico gains its independence, American settlement is encouraged
1835—30K Americans living in Texas
1836—Americans in Texas declare their independence from Mexico/Texas gains independence
1845—After much debate, the U.S. annexes Texas; Mexico breaks diplomatic ties w/ U.S. JQA & AJ had both tried to purchase TX previously
Oregon TerritoryOregon Territory Claimed by both Brits (George Vancouver) & the U.S. (Robert
Gray)
1818—Agreed to joint occupation
1820s/1830s—Few white settlers, mostly fur traders
1836—Marcus & Narcissa Whitman est. mission
1843—Oregon Trail popularized; 5K settlers w/in next 2 yrs.
1846—Despite “54° 40° or Fight,” Polk settles border at 49° N (same as today)
1847—Cayuse Indians attack & kill Whitmans
Election of 1844Election of 1844
Polk ran on a pro-expansion platform
Clay avoided the issue of annexing Texas
TrailsTrails Oregon Trail
California Trail
Mormon Trail
Santa Fe Trail
*See map on p. 353
Life on the TrailLife on the Trail “Jumping off towns”
Independence, MO; St. Joseph, MO & Council Bluffs, IA
Mostly family units until Gold Rush; hired guides
2,000 miles; 4-6 months
Various hardships: Weather, disease (cholera & typhoid fever), rugged terrain
Native Americans often acted as guides & trade partners; occasional conflict, but often sensationalized *More deaths from accidental gunshots than Native attacks
Mexican WarMexican War Mexico refused to recognize Texas’ independence
Border dispute (Rio Grande or Neuces?); see map on p. 356
Polk sends Zachary Taylor to TX & tells navy to capture CA ports if Mexico declares war
Polk then offered to buy disputed areas (Slidel, $25 million for NM & CA)
War declared in May of 1846; overwhelmingly supported by Congress
War had many critics Ulysses S. Grant, Abraham Lincoln, Henry David Thoreau See quotes on p. 357
Mexican WarMexican War Stephen Kearny captured Santa Fe w/ no opposition (1846)
Kearny & Fremont captured California (1846) Bear Flag Revolt
Winfield Scott captures Mexico City (1847)
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) Mexican Cession (see map on p. 358) U.S. paid $15 million Some wanted “All Mexico!”
Wilmot ProvisoWilmot Proviso What is the status of slavery in the newly acquired
territory?
David Wilmot, from PA, anti-slavery Democrat
Proviso prohibited slavery in new territory
Passed House, but not Senate
Debate lingered; sectionalism intensified