Manifest Destiny & Westward Expansion

Slide 1: 

Manifest Destiny The Westward Movement

Trends in Antebellum America: 1810-1860 : 

Trends in Antebellum America: 1810-1860 New intellectual and religious movements. Social reforms. Beginnings of the Industrial Revolution in America. Re-emergence of a second party system and morepolitical democratization. Increase in federal power  Marshall Ct. decisions. Increase in American nationalism. Further westward expansion.

“Manifest Destiny” : 

“Manifest Destiny” 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." A myth of the West as a land of romance and adventure emerged.

“American Progress” by John Gast, 1872 : 

“American Progress” by John Gast, 1872

The Pony Express : 

The Pony Express Between April, 1860 and Nov., 1861. Delivered news and mail between St. Louis, MO and San Francisco, CA. Took 10 days. Replaced by the completion of the trans-continental telegraph line.

Aroostook “War,” 1839 : 

Aroostook “War,” 1839 The only war ever declared by a state. Between the Canadian region of New Brunswick and the state of Maine. Cause: The expulsion of Canadian lumberjacks in the disputed area of Aroostook by Maine officials. Congress called up 50,000 men and voted for $10,000,000 to pay for the “war.” General Winfield Scott arranged a truce, and a border commission was convened to resolve the issue.

Maine Boundary Settlement, 1842 : 

Maine Boundary Settlement, 1842

Slide 8: 

Texas Independence (1836-1845)

Texas Declaration of Independence : 

Texas Declaration of Independence In 1810, Mexico declared independence from Spain and fought a 10 year war for independence. After the war, in 1824 Mexico formed the territory of Texas, with 19 states and four territories. Mexico was bankrupt, and encouraged the formation of militia for protection against natives. Mexico liberalized immigration policies. First group of settlers were called the “Old Three Hundred.” Came to Texas through land grants from Steve Austin.

Texas Declaration of Independence : 

Texas Declaration of Independence By 1834, the number of American immigrants outnumbered the native born Mexican-Texans. The Mexican government denied Americans further immigration rights to Texas, and outlawed slavery in the Texas territory. Texans were growing dissatisfied with Mexican government: Required a tithe to the Catholic Church, did not respect freedom of religion Capitol city kept changing locations Criminals made to serve in the Texas armies and militias

Texas Declaration of Independence : 

Texas Declaration of Independence Mexican General Antonio Santa Anna believed the increasing American immigration was a plot to take over Texas: Dissolved state legislatures, disarmed state militias, and abolished the Constitution of 1824. Imprisoned some cotton plantation owners who refused to raise their assigned crops These actions triggered outrage throughout Mexico. Steven Austin was jailed for insurrection General Santa Anna

Texas Declaration of Independence : 

Texas Declaration of Independence The Texan colonists created a provisional government Not to be separate from Mexico, but in opposition to the Centralists. They elected Henry Smith as governor and Sam Houston was appointed commander-in-chief of the regular Army of Texas. Houston would have to build his army They had more land than money. Land was given as an incentive to join the army; extra land would be given to those who enlisted as regulars and not as volunteers. Sam Houston(1793-1863)

Texas Declaration of Independence : 

Texas Declaration of Independence The provisional government commissioned privateers and established a postal system. A merchant was sent to the U.S. to borrow $100,000. Steve Austin was sent to the U.S. as a commissioner. Steven Austin(1793-1836)

Texas Declaration of Independence : 

Texas Declaration of Independence On March 2, 1836, Texas declared independence from Mexico. Reasons included: Santa Anna’s military dictatorship Denial of individual rights such as right to bear arms and trial by jury Objection to location of capital and exclusive use of Spanish No system of public education The settlers were not allowed freedom of religion.

Texas Declaration of Independence : 

Texas Declaration of Independence Santa Ana moved to squash the rebellion in Texas Believed it would be an easy task Warned Americans who were coming to Texas to support the rebellion: “Foreigners landing on the coast of the Republic or invading its territory by land, armed, and with the intent of attacking our country, will be deemed pirates and dealt with as such, being citizens of no nation presently at war with the Republic and fighting under no recognized flag.” Gen. Antonio de Lopez Santa Ana 1794 - 1876

Texas Declaration of Independence : 

Texas Declaration of Independence Captured pirates were executed immediately. The resolution thus gave the Mexican Army permission to take no prisoners in the war against the Texans.[ Santa Anna sent a letter to U.S. President Andrew Jackson, warning that any Americans found fighting the Mexican government would be treated as pirates. Unlikely that American recruits in the Texan Army were aware of that there would be no prisoners of war.

Texas Declaration of Independence : 

Texas Declaration of Independence Santa Anna’s army suffered from poor supplies and untrained recruits Freezing weather and disease killed many The army burned farms and fields as it moved, and southern settlers fled north In March 1836, Santa Anna captured and executed 342 Texans at Goliad, which became known as the “Goliad Massacre” Branded Santa Anna and Mexicans as cruel, and infuriated the Texans Presidio La Bahia at Goliad

Remember the Alamo! : 

Remember the Alamo!

Texas Declaration of Independence : 

Texas Declaration of Independence The Battle at Alamo: Santa Anna arrived in San Antonio in February 1836. Texan garrison at Alamo was unprepared and had few supplies Santa Anna raised a bloody red flag signifying no quarter given Mexican army besieged the Alamo for 13 days. Destruction of the Alamo Fort

The Battle of the Alamo : 

The Battle of the Alamo General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna recaptures the Alamo

Texas Declaration of Independence : 

Texas Declaration of Independence On March 6, the Mexican army attacked the fort in what became known as the Battle of the Alamo. Almost all of the Texan defenders (approx. 182–257 men) were killed, including James Bowie, Davy Crockett and William B. Travis. Most Alamo historians agree that about 1/3 of the Mexican army was killed (approx. 400–600 soldiers). After the battle, Santa Anna divided his army and sent flying columns across Texas. The objective was to force a decisive battle over the Texan Army, now led by General Sam Houston.

Davey Crockett’s Last Stand : 

Davey Crockett’s Last Stand

Texas Declaration of Independence : 

Texas Declaration of Independence Houston retreated toward the U.S. border Chased by Santa Anna’s army across Texas In April at the San Jacinto River, the Mexicans and Texans met in their final battle Texans were outnumbered, but launched a surprise attack. Mexican defenses crumbled “Yellow Rose of Texas” refers to the myth that Santa Anna was distracted by a beautiful young woman before the attack

Texas Declaration of Independence : 

Texas Declaration of Independence Battle lasted only 18 minutes. Santa Ana was captured shortly after Founded the Republic of Texas, which lasted from 1836 to 1846. U.S. recognized Texas as independent Created a constitution & republic Lasted until 1845 when the U.S. offered to annex Texas, making it part of the US Annexation helped trigger the Mexican-American war in 1845.

Texas Declaration of Independence : 

Texas Declaration of Independence Borders included all of Texas, and parts of present-day New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming. The eastern boundary with United States defined by the 1819 Adams-Onís Treaty between the United States and Spain. Its southern and westernt boundary in dispute with Mexico Texas claimed Rio Grande, Mexico claimed Nueces River.

Slide 26: 

Overland Route West

Overland Immigration to the West : 

Overland Immigration to the West Between 1840 and 1860, more than 250,000 people made the trek westward.

The Oregon Trail – Albert Bierstadt, 1869 : 

The Oregon Trail – Albert Bierstadt, 1869

Trails Westward : 

Trails Westward

The Doomed Donner Party : 

The Doomed Donner Party April, 1846 – April, 1847

The Doomed Donner Party : 

Donner Party was a group of American emigrants bound for California George Donner, Jeffrey Reed, their families and hired hands set out in 1846 w/9 covered wagons Followed the California Trail to the “Hastings Cutoff,” a new trail to California. Short cut took three weeks longer than the main trail The Doomed Donner Party

The Doomed Donner Party : 

The Doomed Donner Party Donner Pass, 1870

The Doomed Donner Party : 

Numerous delays = snow at Donner Pass in the Sierra Nevada Mountains Made two camps at nearby lakes. Slaughtered the oxen, but ran out of food. 10 men and 5 women made snowshoes and tried to hike to Sutter’s Fort approx. 100 miles away Five men died, and were cannibalized during a sudden snowstorm. Another three died en route and were eaten. They killed two Native Americans, cut them up and ate them. Four separate relief groups from California rescued the settlers, some of whom had also resorted to cannibalism. The Doomed Donner Party

The Doomed Donner Party : 

The Doomed Donner Party James Reed & Wife Margaret Patrick John Breen Breen Breen Of the 83 members of the Donner Party, only 45 survived to get to California! CANNIBALISM ! !

The Oregon Dispute: 54’ 40º or Fight! : 

The Oregon Dispute: 54’ 40º or Fight! By the mid-1840s, “Oregon Fever” was spurred on by the promise of free land. The joint British-U. S. occupation ended in 1846.

Slide 36: 

Competing British and American claims to the Pacific Northwest territory Both countries had commercial interests, and past claims through treaties with Russia and Spain. Democrats claimed the U.S. had a valid claim to the entire Oregon Country up to Russian America at parallel 54°40′ north. Tensions rose with Britain over the territory Slogans like “manifest destiny” and “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!” The Oregon Dispute: 54’ 40º or Fight!

Slide 37: 

The Oregon Dispute: 54’ 40º or Fight! President Polk compromised with the British, set the line at the 49th parallel. Settled in the 1846 Oregon Treaty. Remains the border with Canada today.

The Bear Flag Republic : 

The Bear Flag Republic John C. Frémont The Revolt  June 14, 1845

Slide 39: 

The Mexican War (1846-1848)

Setting the Stage for War: California : 

Setting the Stage for War: California In August 1835, President Andrew Jackson developed a "passion" to acquire all Mexican territory north of the 37th parallel. Nothing came of his desires. In 1842, the American minister in Mexico Waddy Thompson, Jr. suggested Mexico might be willing to cede California to settle debts

Setting the Stage for War: Texas : 

Annexation of Texas had been discussed in the U.S. since Texas declared independence in 1836. Many Texans were in favor of annexation by the United States, but U.S. President Martin Van Buren initially rejected it. When Mirabeau Lamar was president of Texas 1838-41, the U.S. Senate rejected an annexation treaty in 1844. Mexico warned the U.S. that annexation = war. Setting the Stage for War: Texas

The Slidell Mission: Nov., 1845 : 

The Slidell Mission: Nov., 1845 Secret mission to Mexico to purchase territory of Texas, Calf. & New Mexico Offered $25 million ($613 million in today’s dollars) Mexican recognition of the Rio Grande River as the TX-US border. US would forgive $3 million in American citizens’ claims against the Mexican govt. US would buy California at any price. John Slidell

Wilmot Proviso, 1846 : 

Wilmot Proviso, 1846 Provided, territory from that, as an express and fundamental condition to the acquisition of any the Republic of Mexico by the United States, by virtue of any treaty which may be negotiated between them, and to the use by the Executive of the moneys herein appropriated, neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory, except for crime, whereof the party shall first be duly convicted. Congr. David Wilmot(D-PA)

The Slidell Mission Collapses : 

The Slidell Mission Collapses Mexican government changed hands four times that year. Mexican public was against selling to the U.S. (issue of national honor) Slidell’s mission failed and he returned to the U.S. President Polk sent troops into the disputed Neuces River region Mexicans attacked US forces, and the U.S. declared war on Mexico. President Polk

The Mexican War (1846-1848) : 

The Mexican War (1846-1848)

The Homefront of the War : 

The Homefront of the War In the United States, increasingly divided by sectional rivalry, the war was a partisan issue Key part of the origins of the American Civil War. Most Whigs in the North and South opposed it; Most Democrats supported it. Southern Democrats, spurred by a popular belief in Manifest Destiny, supported it in hopes of adding territory to the South and avoiding being outnumbered by the faster-growing North.

General Zachary Taylor at Palo Alto : 

General Zachary Taylor at Palo Alto “Old Rough and Ready”

The Bombardment of Vera Cruz : 

The Bombardment of Vera Cruz

General Scott Enters Mexico City : 

General Scott Enters Mexico City “Old Fuss and Feathers”

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848 : 

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848 Nicholas Trist,American Negotiator

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848 : 

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848 Mexico gave up claims to Texas above the Rio Grande River. Mexico gave the U. S. California and New Mexico. U. S. gave Mexico $15,000,000 and agreed to pay the claims of American citizens against Mexico (over $3,500,000). The Treaty was basically forced on Mexico!

Results of the Mexican War? : 

Results of the Mexican War? The 17-month war cost $100,000,000 and 13,000+American lives (mostly of disease). New territories were brought into the Union which forced the explosive issue of SLAVERY to the center of national politics. * Brought in 1 million sq. mi. of land (incl. TX) These new territories would upset the balance of power between North and South. Created two popular Whig generals who ran for President. Manifest Destiny was partially realized.

Slide 53: 

Unresolved Issues & New Opportunities

Free Soil Party : 

Free Soil Party Free Soil! Free Speech! Free Labor! Free Men! “Barnburners” – discontented northern Democrats. Anti-slave members of the Liberty and Whig Parties. Opposition to the extension of slavery in the new territories! WHY?

The 1848 Presidential Election Results : 

The 1848 Presidential Election Results √

The Mexican Cession : 

The Mexican Cession

GOLD! At Sutter’s Mill, 1848 : 

GOLD! At Sutter’s Mill, 1848 John A. Sutter

California Gold Rush, 1849 : 

California Gold Rush, 1849 49er’s

Two Views of San Francisco, Early 1850s : 

Two Views of San Francisco, Early 1850s By 1860, almost 300,000 people had traveled the Oregon & California Trails to the Pacific coast.

Territorial Growth to 1853 : 

Territorial Growth to 1853

Westward the Course of EmpireEmmanuel Leutze, 1860 : 

Westward the Course of EmpireEmmanuel Leutze, 1860

Expansionist Young America in the 1850s : 

Expansionist Young America in the 1850s America’s Attempted Raids into Latin America