manifest : able to be seen; clearly shown or visible; easy to understand or recognize destiny : what happens in the future; the things that someone or something will experience in the future Manifest Destiny : a future event that is sure to happen; a destiny that can be clearly seen and that cannot be changed

It is America’s “manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent…that the God of nature and nations has marked it for our own.” It is “God’s plan” to expand our “great experiment with liberty.” ~John O’Sullivan, 1845

1.Manifest Destiny -Manifest Destiny is the belief that the U.S. would expand across the continent Possess all land from Atlantic to Pacific -Ohio Territory ceded to the U.S. by the natives in the Treaty of Greenville (1795) -Louisiana Purchase (1803): purchased from France for $15 million by Thomas Jefferson Lewis and Clark explored territory to convince people to move west -War of 1812 removed British threat from America in the West -Florida ceded to the U.S. by Spain in Adams-Onis Treaty in 1819 When Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory, he dreamed that the U.S. would become an “empire for liberty” by expanding across the continent “with room enough for our descendants to the thousandth and thousandth generation.” For a quarter century after the War of 1812, Americans explored this territory in huge numbers. In the 1840s, expansion fever gripped the country. Americans began to believe that their movement westward and southward was destined and ordained by God.

2.Lure of the West -Many settlers moved West due to personal economic problems Fresh start in the West -Abundance of land in the West drew the greatest number of settlers West Land ownership an important step toward prosperity -Changes in transportation increased trade opportunities with Asia (China and Japan) Americans wanted to get closer to harbors in Oregon Most Americans had practical reasons for moving west. Many settlers endured the trek because of personal economic problems. The Panic of 1837, for example, had dire consequences and convinced many people to attempt a fresh start in the West. The abundance of land in the West was the greatest attraction. Whether for farming or speculation, land ownership was an important step toward prosperity. As farmers and miners moved west, merchants followed, seeking new markets.

3.Trails West -Santa Fe Trail from Missouri to New Mexico saw the trade of cloth, knives, and guns for silver, gold, and fur First American presence in the Mexican territory -Missionaries proved covered wagons could travel along the Oregon Trail from Missouri to the Oregon Country Some covered wagons; most walked Very dangerous, caravanned -Fertile soil and fur trade led many to stay in Oregon -Mormons followed the Oregon Trail West to the Great Salt Lake (Utah) under the leadership of Brigham Young Escaping religious persecution in the U.S. Conestoga wagons were usually pulled by six horses and were capable of hauling loads up to six tons.

Each spring between 1821 and the 1860s, Missouri traders loaded their covered wagons and set off toward Santa Fe, New Mexico. For about the first 150 miles, wagons traveled alone. After that, fearing attacks by native tribes, the traders banded into organized groups of up to 100 wagons. Scouts rode along the column to check for danger. At night, the traders formed the wagons into squares with their wheels interlocked, forming a corral for horses, mules, and oxen. Teamwork ended when Santa Fe came into view. Traders charged off on their own as each tried to be the first to enter the Mexican province to trade. After a few days of trading, they loaded their wagons and headed back to the United States.

Reasons for Westward Expansion Seek employment and avoid the Panic of 1837 Escape religious persecution Find new markets for commerce and trade Claim land for farming, ranching, and mining Locate harbors on the Pacific to trade with China and Japan Spread the virtues of democracy

4.Impact on Native Americans -Increasing number of western settlers affected natives Some natives assimilate to white culture, while others fought to keep whites away -Native American leader Black Hawk led a rebellion against the U.S. in Illinois Militia killed 200 natives Natives forcibly removed -Settlers ask for protection -Treaty of Fort Laramie gives natives control of Central Plains in return for promising not to attack U.S. settlers U.S. could build forts/roads -U.S. promises to honor boundaries and making annual payments to natives As settlers moved west, small numbers of displaced natives occasionally fought them. The settlers made an appeal to the U.S. government for protection. The government responded to the settlers’ fears of attack by calling a conference near what is now Laramie, Wyoming. The Cheyenne, Arapaho, Sioux, Crow, and others joined U.S. representatives in swearing “to maintain good faith and friendship in all their mutual intercourse, and to make an effective and lasting peace.

5.Dispute over Oregon -Britain and the U.S. still had joint claim over the Oregon Territory U.S. wants all of Oregon -Democrat James K. Polk’s 1844 Presidential Campaign called for annexation of the entire Oregon Territory Believer in Manifest Destiny -Newspapers adopted the slogan “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!” to show support for Polk’s campaign and annexation of Oregon Two countries agree to divide Oregon at 49 th parallel In 1844, Democrat James K. Polk’s presidential platform called for annexation of the Oregon Territory. Reflecting support for Polk’s views, newspapers adopted the slogan “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!,” referring to the northern limit of the disputed Oregon Territory. By the mid- 1840s, however, the fur trade was in decline, and Britain’s interest in the territory waned. On the American side, Polk’s advisors deemed the land north of 49’ latitude unsuited for agriculture. The two countries peaceably agreed in 1846 to extend the mainland boundary along the 49 th parallel, establishing the current U.S. boundary.

Believer in Manifest Destiny and running on a slogan of “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!,” James K. Polk won the Election of 1844 against Whig candidate Henry Clay.

6.Expansion into Texas -After Mexican independence, Texas was not settled Natives will fight for land -Mexico trading livestock/ hides with the U.S. through northern provinces N.M., CA, TX, AZ, UT Want to expand economic relationship with U.S. -Mexico encouraged Americans to settle in Texas by giving land grants to empresarios Sold land to settlers -Stephen F. Austin led first group of settlers to Texas Good farmland, no taxes -America offers to buy Texas, but Mexico refuses Mexico begins to resent American presence To prevent boarder violations by horse thieves and protect the territory from Native American attacks, the Mexican government encouraged American farmers to settle in Texas. In 1821, and again in 1823 and 1824, Mexico offered enormous land grants to empresarios. Those emprasarios attracted American settlers, who eagerly bought cheap land in return for a pledge to obey Mexican laws and observe the official religion of Roman Catholicism. Many Americans, as well as Mexicans, rushed at the chance to gain new land. The population of Anglo (English-speaking) settlers from Europe and the U.S. soon surpassed the population of the Tejanos (Mexicans) who lived in Texas.