Manifest Destiny & the American West  By the time native-born English speaking people from the United States moved into the West, they brought with them a clearly defined social and material culture that they hoped would transplant Eastern culture in the West  Symbols of the “Old West” continue to represent the whole United States  The truth about the West is largely obscured…there may have been promise and heroism, but there was also tragedy and failure

Manifest Destiny

An Incentive to Move Settlers could work a plot for 5 yrs & then get the land for freeSettlers could work a plot for 5 yrs & then get the land for free Could also pay $1.25 an acre and own it after six monthsCould also pay $1.25 an acre and own it after six months Sad truth was that very few farmers could afford either methodSad truth was that very few farmers could afford either method

New Territories Mexico controlled all of present-day Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, California, as well as parts of Colorado and WyomingMexico controlled all of present-day Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, California, as well as parts of Colorado and Wyoming British had Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and parts of the DakotasBritish had Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and parts of the Dakotas

Texas Government FIVE PROBLEMS 1)Protestantism vs. Catholicism 2)American desire for slavery 3)Texas was attached to Coahuila 4)Heavy tax on U.S. imports 5)Mexico outlawed new immigration * All of these events combined to produce tension before we get to the Alamo

Remember the Alamo Originally named Misión San Antonio de Valero, soldiers referred to the old mission as the Alamo (the Spanish word for "cottonwood")Originally named Misión San Antonio de Valero, soldiers referred to the old mission as the Alamo (the Spanish word for "cottonwood") On February 23, 1836, Santa Anna caught the Texians by surpriseOn February 23, 1836, Santa Anna caught the Texians by surprise Held out for 13 days until March 6, 1836Held out for 13 days until March 6, women and children were spared, as was Joe, Travis’ slave20 women and children were spared, as was Joe, Travis’ slave

Texas Revolution Texan constitutional convention formally adopted a Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836Texan constitutional convention formally adopted a Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836 On April 21, Houston attacked Santa Anna’s troops & captured the General the following dayOn April 21, Houston attacked Santa Anna’s troops & captured the General the following day

What to do with Texas? Re-enter John Tyler, “his Accidency”Re-enter John Tyler, “his Accidency” He seized on Texas admission as a way to possibly resurrect his political fortunesHe seized on Texas admission as a way to possibly resurrect his political fortunes Appointed John C. Calhoun as his Secretary of State, who failed to push a Texas treaty through CongressAppointed John C. Calhoun as his Secretary of State, who failed to push a Texas treaty through Congress

Presidential Election of 1844 Mexico had never recognized Texan independenceMexico had never recognized Texan independence If the 1820 Missouri Compromise held, western territories would be slave statesIf the 1820 Missouri Compromise held, western territories would be slave states James K. Polk defeated Henry Clay by linking Texas, the tariff, Oregon, and CaliforniaJames K. Polk defeated Henry Clay by linking Texas, the tariff, Oregon, and California

Polk’s Wishlist 1) TEXAS – Annexation passed thru Congress because Mexico “surrendered” for $18 million 2) OREGON – Negotiated an 1846 treaty for ½ of Oregon, avoiding war with Britain 3) THE TARIFF – Wanting to maximize revenue, Polk lowered the tariff which made the South happy 4) CALIFORNIA – Mexico refuses to sell us the territory…UH-OH!

Mexican War of The crux of why Mexico would object to our troops is a dispute over where the border was…the U.S. claimed it was the Rio Grande, while the Mexicans claimed it was 150 miles north at the Nueces RiverThe crux of why Mexico would object to our troops is a dispute over where the border was…the U.S. claimed it was the Rio Grande, while the Mexicans claimed it was 150 miles north at the Nueces River

Winning the Mexican War Mexico simply did not have the resources to fight a war with the U.S.Mexico simply did not have the resources to fight a war with the U.S. Problem was they might surrender their whole countryProblem was they might surrender their whole country War with Mexico cost 13,000 American lives, 50,000 Mexican lives, and $97 millionWar with Mexico cost 13,000 American lives, 50,000 Mexican lives, and $97 million

California Gold Rush of 1848