“FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA” Playing out the goals of Manifest Destiny

The Annexation of Texas

Fight for Independence! At first, Mexicans encourage American settlement ◦ Slogan: “GO TO TEXAS!” ◦ Yield great wealth, opportunity Americans eager to utilize great amounts of land in return for pledging to obey Mexican law and Roman Catholicism Americans begin to outnumber Tejanos Problems Arise…Clash of Cultures- ◦ Cultural issues, including English v. Spanish and most importantly: slavery ◦ Americans who live there a rebellious bunch—start to clamor for independence. Stephen Austin provokes revolution!

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

Defeat at the Alamo would prove costly to Mexico Soon after, the Texan soldiers defeat the Mexicans and become the Republic of Texas

Remember the Alamo!

Texas Declaration of Independence

The Republic of Texas

Victory in Texas Texas becomes the 28 th state in December of Americans wait ten years to annex Texas—because of issue of slavery and to avoid war with Mexico. Pushed with the election of Polk. FURIOUS MEXICAN GOVERNMENT! ◦ Mexico reacts by cutting off all diplomatic ties with the U.S. ◦ Events move quickly towards war.

Boundary Dispute Texas and U.S. claim that the Rio Grande marks the southern border of Texas. Mexican government rejects this idea and argues that the real southern border is the Nueces River.

Nueces River boundaryRio Grande boundary

Let’s take a look at another article written by John O’Sullivan… How does this pervasive idea of manifest destiny lead to the Mexican-American War?

The Mexican-American War ( ) The Mexican American War was a result of American desires to expand their nation from sea to shining sea. The political support of Manifest Destiny provided the political and economic goals to come together to support expansion of the nation through any means necessary.

James K. Polk The “dark horse” candidate from Tennessee wins the election of 1844 with a platform supporting the goals of Manifest Destiny. Polk supported the Manifest Destiny and the expansion of the United States from “sea to shining sea.” When Polk becomes President, our dispute with Mexico begins to strengthen.

Steps to War June President Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to take U.S. troops into disputed border region Polk claims this action is to protect Texas from possible Mexican attack

Steps to (Avoid?) War Meanwhile, Polk sent diplomat John Slidell to Mexico City to negotiate the purchase California & New Mexico for $30 million Slidell’s Mission: ◦ Mexican recognition of the Rio Grande as the TX-MX border ◦ Purchase of land to avoid war Mexican officials REFUSED to meet with Slidell John Slidell

Steps to War March 1846 – General Taylor’s troops made camp at the Rio Grande in disputed territory April 1846 – Mexican commander insisted U.S. troops must leave area and Taylor refused to move Mexican forces crossed the Rio Grande and attacked group of 63 U.S. soldiers 11 Americans killed

Steps to War May 11, 1846 – Polk addressed Congress He declared that “Mexico has shed American blood upon the American soil.” Two days later, Congress declared war on Mexico

Disputed Territory

Divisions Over War How do American’s feel about this decision? ◦ Southerners want war—will expand slavery ◦ Northerners oppose it for exact same reason  Anti-slavery groups take the lead

Support of the War For many Americans, the war led to greater national pride Many people who supported the war believed it would spread republican values Many southerners supported the war, thinking any territory won would be organized into slave states

Opposition to the War “Mr. Polk’s War” Many members of the Whig Party thought the conflict was unjustified Northern abolitionists feared any territory gained in the war might be organized into slave states Illinois Congressman Abraham Lincoln wrote the “Spot Resolutions” in 1848– asking Polk to show the spot where American blood had been shed on American soil

Polk’s War Strategy General Zachary Taylor invaded northern Mexico. General Stephen Kearny traveled west and captured Sante Fe and supported revolt in California– (“Easy Win”) General Winfield Scott invaded Mexico City.

Conquest of Mexico City Mexico City ◦ Population Center The attack was to convince Mexico of their loss of the Northern Territories ◦ When Santa Anna loses, Polk offers him $1 Million to sign a peace treaty  Santa Anna refuses The U.S. defeats Mexico City THE WAR IS WON!!!

General Scott Enters Mexico City U.S. victory—September 1847

So, did America achieve manifest destiny?

US Territorial Expansion A When? From Where? Why? 1845 Republic of Texas (Independent Country) Texas independent from Mexico in 1836 Northerners feared it would become a slave state Fears finally overcome in 1944 Presidential election B E - Texas D C E

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

Unit 9, Journal #3 How did America’s acquisition of Texas, California, and other pieces of territory accomplish “manifest destiny”?  What was lost along the way?  What was gained?

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