Manifest Destiny and the Contentious Politics of the 1840's
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Transcript of Manifest Destiny and the Contentious Politics of the 1840's
Chapter 13: Expansion & Sectional ConflictFirst half of chapter (and this slideshow) focuses on Manifest Destiny and the Contentious
Politics of the 1840’s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkdF8pOFUfI&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtMwmepBjTSG593eG7ObzO7s&index=17
Crash Course US History Episode 17
Essential Questions
Why does the US
grow quickly
between 1845 and
1853
How does the US
grow quickly
between 1845 and
1853
What are the
consequences of
this rapid growth?
The Philosophy of Manifest Destiny - Expansionism & Exceptionalism
".... it 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 federative 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.“ John L. O’Sullivan, 1845
What is Manifest
Destiny?
How do the
quote and painting
illustrate
a belief in
expansionism and
exceptionalism
inherent in to this
philosophy?
Annexation of Texas
Stephen
Austin
Sam
HoustonGeneral
Santa
Anna
Conflicts in 1820s & 30s between Anglo-
American settlers & Mexico on:
1) Texas Self Rule (Level of Anglo autonomy)
2) Religion (Catholic vs Protestant)
3) Slavery (Allowed or not)
In the mid 1820s, “Tejas” is a sparsely populated region of the
newly independent nation of Mexico.
Many US residents (mostly from Southern states who support
slavery) are interested in settling into “Texas”
American Stephen F. Austin negotiates agreement with Mexican
government for “Anglos” to settle in Texas.
These settlers are supposed to abide by Mexican laws, but end up
not.
Anglo-Texans outnumber Mexicans in Tejas 10-1 by mid 1830’s.
Mexican officials feel Anglos (settlers led by Austin) are not
following agreements and armed conflict begins in 1836
Texas War for
Independence
1835-1836
(Texas Wins – the US is officially Neutral)
Key battles
between
Anglos & Mexican
military in
map below
Texas becomes independent “Lone Star
Republic”. Texas seeks to join union in 1836, but
delayed until 1844 due to slavery controversy
Relevance of documents on left and cartoon below?
James K. Polk“Young Hickory” or
“Mr. Manifest Destiny”
1844 Election
Whigs abandon “misfit”
John Tyler and nominate
Henry Clay who
loses (again) to Democrat
What is the relevance of
election map & cartoon?
How and Why does the US acquire Oregon & California?
"As to Texas I regard it as of very little value compared with California, the
richest, the most beautiful and the healthiest country in the world ... with the
acquisition of Upper California we should have the same ascendency on the
Pacific ...“ US Ambassador to Mexico in 1842
What is the relevance of above quote?
54º 40’ or Fight?How Oregon was acquired
• Dispute with the British dating back to
Lewis & Clark
• Disputed boundaries - Joint Occupation(sharing of territory with England) not working out
• American missionaries & farmers join early fur trappers via the Oregon Trail in 1830s/40s and soon greatly outnumber British in the area. Like in Texas, American settlers want to join USA
• Democrat Polk (pro Manifest Destiny) makes Oregon “reacquisition” a big issue in 1844 campaign
• English fear of total US takeover and US need for British support in brewing conflict with Mexico leads to peaceful settlement in 1846 Treaty - 49º line between US (modern Oregon, Washington & Idaho) & Canada (modern British Columbia)
How did the US get California? • Missions abandoned by Spain after
Mexican independence in 1821
• Mexican “Alto California” sparsely
populated and many Anglos begin to move in
by 1840’s (like Texas & Oregon)
• “Pathfinder” US General John C. Fremont
conducts “scientific” expedition and
encourages Pres. Polk to offer $30 million to
Mexico for San Francisco Bay in 1845
• “Bear Flag Revolt” occurs in 1846 in Sonoma
& Mexican Gov. Vallejo & Californios deposed by Anglos
• Meanwhile, in Texas…
A border dispute (see
map) officially triggers
Mexican-
American
War (1846-47)
Young Abe Lincoln &
“conscience Whigs”
who oppose “slavery
land grab”
are outvoted in
Congress…war is on
President Polk
sends General
Zachary Taylor
into Mexico after
Congress declares
war
Mexican-American War
(1846-47)
Better trained and equipped
U.S. forces attack several cities
in Mexico including
Mexico City (1000 miles south
of “disputed” border) and two
year long war breaks out. US
forces victorious.
Kearney, Sloat, Stockton,
Scott, Taylor, Fremont
& Polk (on the left):
Are among the American
“heroes” of the war
with Mexico …
Why are
SF streets named
after all of them??
Why are they heroes to
some and villains to
others?
End of the Mexican-American War
Treaty of Guadalupe – Hidalgo (1848)US pays Mexico $15 million and cedes huge tracts of land to US
(See map)
Why does Mexico
agree to such a one
sided treaty?
What later problems
might treaty
cause for the US?
Southern Newspaper Headline – 1846
Newly acquired land from Mexico causes
slavery issue to heat up in Congress
Political divisions increase
Whig Party falls apart due to different views on slavery…(makes things complicated for AP US History students)
And a variety of new political parties spring up in the 1850’s like the
Free Soil Party, Liberty Party, Know-Nothing Party and Republican Party
Sectional tension grow even before war ends (ex: failed Wilmot Proviso)
Then, the 1849 California
gold rush happens and
newly crowded California
wants to join union in 1850
Why is this a major catalyst
for the Civil War?