Manifest Destiny

Essential Question & Learning Goal: How does geography influence the way people live? How do new ideas change the way people live? Learning Goal: Students will be able to define and explain the idea of Manifest Destiny, analyze reasons for US territorial expansion from 1803-1848, and describe what trips westward were like for pioneers.

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

Describing the picture The picture shows 'America' floating over the plains She brings light to the dark, deserted landscape Shows the way for farmers, travelers, the stagecoach, the telegraph, and the railway Ahead of her are buffalo and other wild animals Indians (the darkness) turn and run from progress leaving the way clear for settlement

What is Manifest Destiny? Belief that the US should expand its territory from coast to coast (between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans)

Manifest Destiny Quote "(It is) ..our manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent which providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty“ - John O'Sullivan in 1845 A myth of the west as a land of romance and adventure emerged

US Territorial Expansion When? 1776 From where? Great Britain Why? U.S. declared independence from Great Britain A - 13 Original Colonies A

US Territorial Expansion When? 1783 From where? Great Britain Why? Part of the Treaty of Paris (ended Revolutionary War) B - Western Lands B A

US Territorial Expansion When? 1803 From where? France Why? Jefferson wanted to buy New Orleans C - Louisiana Purchase C A B

US Territorial Expansion When? 1819 From where? Spain Why? Andrew Jackson invaded Spain then sold it to US for $5 million D - Florida C B A D

US Territorial Expansion When? 1845 From where? Republic of Texas (independent country) Why? Texas independent from Mexico in 1836 Northerners feared it would become a slave state Fears finally overcome in 1844 presidential election E - Texas C B A E D

US Territorial Expansion When? 1846 From where? Great Britain Why? Claimed by 4 countries (Great Britain, Russia, Spain and US) Americans demanded “54° 40’ or fight!” Britain compromised 49°N and US accepted F - Oregon Territory F B C A E D

US Territorial Expansion When? 1848 From where? Mexico Why? Polk offers to buy G from Mexico and they refuse War! US wins In treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, US offers $15 million for G G - Mexican Cession F C B A G E D

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

What was the trip like? Lasted 5 or 6 months Pioneers had to start in the spring and complete the trip by winter Snow would block the mountain passes Walked across plains, rivers, and up/down steep mountains

Problems Along The Way Pioneers feared attacks by Native Americans (did not occur often) More often the Native Americans traded goods and assisted as guides About 1 out of 10 pioneers died on the trails because of disease, overwork, hunger, and accidents

The Doomed Donner Party April, 1846 – April 1847 Of the 83 members of the Donner Party, only 45 survived to get to California Consisted of the Reeds and the Donners James Reed & wife

The Doomed Donner Party Left home in Iowa with three wagons drawn by seven yoke of oxen (along with some cows and horses) Their journey took a year and many people died 3 different reliefs came to them at Alder Creek After they were rescued many died from overeating

These are the makeshift tents members of the Donner Party had to stay in when the winter snows came and they were trapped at Alder Creek.