Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion (1830-1845)

J.A.SACCO

““Manifest Manifest Destiny”Destiny”

American Progress” by John Gast, 1872American Progress” by John Gast, 1872

““Manifest Destiny”Manifest Destiny”““Manifest Destiny”Manifest Destiny”

First coined by newspaper editor, John O’Sullivan in 1845. First coined by newspaper editor, John O’Sullivan in 1845. ".... 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."

".... 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." A myth of the West as a land of romance and adventure emerged. A myth of the West as a land of romance and adventure emerged.

““Manifest Destiny”Manifest Destiny”

Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny

Costs?Costs? Benefits?Benefits?

Sen. Thomas Corwin Pres. James K. Polk

Primary Sources?

““Manifest Destiny”Manifest Destiny”

Manifest Destiny had an immense impact on theManifest Destiny had an immense impact on the expansion of the U.S. .expansion of the U.S. .

OregonOregon CaliforniaCalifornia TexasTexas Caused the start of the MexicanCaused the start of the Mexican

War and gained the SW of the U.S..War and gained the SW of the U.S..

Conestoga Wagon

Overland Immigration to the Overland Immigration to the WestWest

Overland Immigration to the Overland Immigration to the WestWest

Between 1840 and 1860, more than250,000 people made the trekwestward.

Between 1840 and 1860, more than250,000 people made the trekwestward.

““Onward to Onward to Oregon”Oregon” Oregon jointly occupied by U.S. and G.B. Oregon jointly occupied by U.S. and G.B.

since 1818. Fur trade carried on by both since 1818. Fur trade carried on by both countries.countries.

G.B. claim based on 18G.B. claim based on 18thth century exploration century exploration of Capt. Cook. Establish early British fur of Capt. Cook. Establish early British fur trade on Columbia R.trade on Columbia R.

U.S. claim from exploration of Lewis and U.S. claim from exploration of Lewis and Clark in 1804. John Jacob Astor establish Clark in 1804. John Jacob Astor establish early fur trade in 1811 along Columbia early fur trade in 1811 along Columbia River.River.

“ “Onward to Oregon”Onward to Oregon”

Why Oregon?Why Oregon? Manifest Destiny- Propaganda of expansionist like Manifest Destiny- Propaganda of expansionist like

Hall J. Kelley who organized a society for the Hall J. Kelley who organized a society for the settlement of Oregon.settlement of Oregon.

Missionaries- Marcus/Narcissa Whitman reports of Missionaries- Marcus/Narcissa Whitman reports of climate/soil suitable for farmingclimate/soil suitable for farming

Oregon Trail would eventually make the journey Oregon Trail would eventually make the journey possiblepossible

Foreclosure of farms because of the Panic of 1837 Foreclosure of farms because of the Panic of 1837

The Oregon Dispute: The Oregon Dispute: 5454°° 40’ or Fight! 40’ or Fight!The Oregon Dispute: The Oregon Dispute: 5454°° 40’ or Fight! 40’ or Fight!

By the mid-1840s,“Oregon Fever” wasspurred on by thepromise of free land..

By the mid-1840s,“Oregon Fever” wasspurred on by thepromise of free land..

The joint British-U. S.occupation ended in1846. Americans want entire region to 54° 40’.

Polk not wiling to fight Br. Already involved with Mexico

Eventually divide Oregon at 49th parallel

The joint British-U. S.occupation ended in1846. Americans want entire region to 54° 40’.

Polk not wiling to fight Br. Already involved with Mexico

Eventually divide Oregon at 49th parallel

The Oregon Dispute: The Oregon Dispute: 5454°° 40’ or Fight! 40’ or Fight!

What effect did the decision of What effect did the decision of President Polk not to go to war against President Polk not to go to war against Britain have on the Democratic Party? Britain have on the Democratic Party?

Trails WestwardTrails WestwardTrails WestwardTrails Westward

Dangers along the Trail?

The Doomed Donner PartyThe Doomed Donner PartyThe Doomed Donner PartyThe Doomed Donner Party

April, 1846 – April, 1847April, 1846 – April, 1847Of the 83 members of the Donner Party, only 45 survived to get to California!

The Great Southwest and CaliforniaThe Great Southwest and California

The Great SouthwestThe Great SouthwestMexico gained independence from Spain in 1821- 80,000 Mexicans in regionBy 1830- Mexico begins to encourage trade with United States over Santa Fe Trail. American goods traded for

Mexican horses, mules, beaver

pelts and silver. William

Becknell (1821) first in area.

The Great Southwest and CaliforniaThe Great Southwest and California

New England merchants carry goods all the way around South America to San Francisco for animal hides produced by “californios” ranchers. Trade a trickle in 1820’s and 1830’s.

What event created the mad rush to California in the 1840’s?

California

GOLD!GOLD! At Sutter’s Mill, 1848 At Sutter’s Mill, 1848GOLD!GOLD! At Sutter’s Mill, 1848 At Sutter’s Mill, 1848

John A. Sutter John A. Sutter

California Gold Rush, 1849California Gold Rush, 1849California Gold Rush, 1849California Gold Rush, 1849

49er’s49er’s

Two Views of San Francisco, Early 1850sTwo Views of San Francisco, Early 1850sTwo Views of San Francisco, Early 1850sTwo Views of San Francisco, Early 1850s

By 1860, almost 300,000people had traveled theOregon & CaliforniaTrails to the Pacificcoast.

By 1860, almost 300,000people had traveled theOregon & CaliforniaTrails to the Pacificcoast.