A Growing Nation

Manifest Destiny – “obvious fate” Diplomacy – conducting negotiations with other countries Annex – to add a territory or country Converts – people who accept a new religion

Inspired vast hopes and dreams for Americans Changed the map of the US Let to war with Mexico Helped America grow (triple in size)& become diverse

The first opportunity for expansion west of the Mississippi (known as Louisiana) “Louisiana” was from Canada south to Texas, and west to the Appalachians The area was full of farmers who used the river to buy and sell crops in New Orleans Originally French, Louisiana was given to Spain after the French and Indian war

In 1800, Napoleon Bonaparte convince Spain to return Louisiana to France Farmers worried if Bonaparte closed the port to American goods, farmers couldn’t sell their crops Jefferson sent James Monroe to offer France $7.5 million for New Orleans (for farmers) Bonaparte offered to sell ALL of Louisiana so they didn’t lose it to the British in war On April 30 th, 1803, Monroe signed a treaty giving Louisiana to the US for $15 million (The Louisiana Purchase)

Most felt it was greatest deal everToo much $$$ Saved farmingToo big to govern Secured navigation of the MississippiOnce divided, would outvote East A great blessing without war and bloodDidn’t follow Constitution Better to stretch Constitution than lose a historic opportunity Already have enough land Good Bad

The next area for the US to acquire Diverse population – English, Indians, Spanish, & runaway slaves Offered Spain a deal for Florida – Spain said NO! Seminole Indians were accepting runaway slaves and raiding American farms in Georgia Spain’s control weakened over time

Here Seminole’s ambush a US supply wagon in 1812.

Andrew Jackson invaded Florida to stop the raids He could chase them back into Florida, but not invade the Spanish colony He defied his orders and invaded Florida with 1,700 troops Spain wanted Jackson held accountable and an apology After advice from his cabinet, Monroe sent a message to Spain to govern Florida properly or get out! In 1819, Spain fled and yielded Florida to the US

Complete the worksheets on the Louisiana Purchase

Wanted for it’s great cotton growing capabilities Moses Austin – a banker – was granted land in Spanish Texas to start a colony He died and his son, Stephen, took over Mexico gained their independence and Texas was now a Mexican area

Mexico agreed to let Austin keep his land under certain conditions: Only moral, hard working settlers could live there Must agree to become Mexican citizens Must agree to become Catholic

Austin agreed to the terms and by 1827 had attracted 297 families – known as “Old Three Hundred” to Texas Began a rush of settlers to Texas By 1830, there were about 25,000 Americans in Texas Tensions began to rise between Americans and Mexicans The Mexican government sent troops to prevent any more immigrants from entering Texas

A young lawyer, William Travis, called for a revolution Austin asked to separate Texas into it’s own state Austin approached the Mexican leader Santa Anna to discuss Texan ideas Santa Anna threw Austin in jail for rebellion A revolt started after Austin was released in 1835

In 1836, Santa Anna’s army of 6,000 reached San Antonio, TX 180 Texans sought to defend “The Alamo” Santa Anna raised a black flag signaling “no mercy” Travis answered with a cannon shot Santa Anna’s troops surrounded and killed every Alamo defender Texans were filled with rage at the massacre

Sam Houston knew the Texan’s rage He lured Santa Anna deeper into Texas hoping it would be harder to supply his army It worked brilliantly and they attacked Santa Anna’s troops while resting near the San Jacinto River The troops yelled “Remember the Alamo” as the overran Santa Anna’s troops

Most Americans in Texas wanted it part of the US Stayed independent for 10 years North and South divided whether to add another Southern (slave) state Fear of war with Mexico if Texas was annexed Presidential Election of 1844 influenced by Texas James Polk won and was eager to get Texas In 1845, Texas was annexed as the 28 th state

In 1819, Oregon was claimed by 4 nations: Russia, Spain, Great Britain & the US Spain and Russia eventually dropped out Britain and the US agreed to a peaceful “joint custody” Most people had not explored far enough west to know of Oregon A young traveler named Jedediah Smith found a better way to travel there called the “South Pass”

The first Americans to travel there were missionaries They made some converts of Oregon’s Indians Early settlers called it a “Pioneer’s Paradise” In 1843, about 1,000 packed and headed to Oregon Oregon was also part of the 1844 election, and Polk promised to annex Oregon as well In order to avoid war with Britain, they cut Oregon in half with a compromise on June 18, 1846

Draw the map of the Oregon Country in 1846

Polk was determined to keep expanding the US His sights were now set on New Mexico and California He approached the Mexican officials to purchase these areas and was refused On April 25, 1846, Mexican’s fired on American troops Polk declared war two days later on Mexico

Gen. Stephen Kearny led the Americans west and took control of New Mexico without bloodshed President Polk was very pleased with Kearny Explorer John C. Fremont lead another group of Americans to California in rebellion They captured the Mexican leader of California Kearny met up with Fremont and within weeks, all of California was under American control

General Zachary Taylor was leading troops from Texas Nicknamed “Old Rough and Ready” due to his clothes After 6,000 troops took Monterey, they ran into Santa Anna again in Buena Vista Both armies were “cut to pieces” and Santa Anna retreated south. The war was over in Northern Mexico

General Winfield Scott lead another group of Americans to Mexico City They met fierce resistance from Mexicans Despite Mexican efforts, Scott’s army captured Mexico City in September 1847.

In 1848, the US and Mexico signed a treaty This gave the US Texas and a vast region of Mexico, called the “Mexican Cession” (including California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming) The US gave Mexico $15 million and agreed to protect the 80,000 Mexicans living in Texas

In 1853, the US acquired more land from Mexico This purchase was known as the “Gadsden Purchase” Now the country stretched from sea to shining sea The negative aspects to Manifest Destiny was that the US was now seen as a bully who invaded its weaker neighbors

Complete an essay on whether or not you feel that the US was a bully who invaded other lands to increase theirs. Give examples to support your stance. Must be at least 2 pages long