Warm-up “It is my duty to assert and maintain by all constitutional means the right of the United States to that portion of our territory which lies beyond the Rocky Mountains. The word sees the peaceful triumphs of the hard work of our emigrants. To the US Government belongs the duty of protecting them adequately wherever they may be upon our soil. The protection of our laws and the benefits of our democratic government should be extended over them in the distant regions which they have selected for their homes.” James Polk – President of the U.S. 1845-1849 “The American claim is by right of 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 and our democratic government entrusted to us. It is a right such as that of the tree to the space of air and earth suitable for the full expansion of its principle and destiny of growth. It is in our future far more than in our past or in the past history of Spanish exploration…that our true title is found.” John O’Sullivan – reporter for the Morning News Read the two quotes to the right… After reading, answer these questions: How does each quote express the American belief of Manifest Destiny? What reasoning does O’Sullivan give for spreading across the continent? Why does President Polk think the U.S. should expand its borders? How did Manifest Destiny affect different groups of people?

What is Manifest Destiny?!? Definition: Commonly held belief that the United States’ destiny was to expand to the Pacific Ocean and into Mexican territory. Farmers move west, why? Merchants follow, why? What affect did this idea have on the Native Americans?

Let’s Go Exploring! Lewis and Clark: explored the Louisiana Territory from 1804-1806 commissioned by Thomas Jefferson. The expedition recorded invaluable information about the western territories. Zebulon Pike: explored the southern portion of the Louisiana Territory trying to find the headwaters of the Red River. He was captured by the Spanish, but not before discovering what is now Pikes Peak.

Head West, Young Man! The growth of railroads and canals helped the growth of an industrial economy and supported the westward movement of settlers. People moved west to: Escape economic problems (panic of 1837) Religious freedoms (Mormons head to Utah) Discovery of Gold (the losing team in the Super Bowl was named after these fortune-seekers) Large tracts of land (wide open spaces out there)

Texas wants to be a state?! Americans began moving into Texas to grow cotton. Tensions grow in Texas over: Limited immigration Heavy tax on American goods Unstable government in Mexico Slavery Issue (Mexico abolished it in 1824) James K Polk makes Texas the 28th state in 1845. Turn in your textbooks to read p288-292 and take notes in the box for Texas.

Mexico Isn't Happy!  Texas annexation causes tension between Mexico and the U.S. Polk sends John Slidell to Mexico to purchase Cali and NM. Mexican officials refuse to meet=immediate cause of Mexican War! In 1846, Zachary Taylor is sent to the Rio Grande to blockade the river, Mexico responds by sending troops and killing 9 soldiers near Matamoros. Turn to Section 4, p. 293-299 to take notes on Mexican War

More on the Mexican War… In Groups of 3-4 Use the notes you took, your textbook, and any technology you have to complete the Mexican War graphic organizer. When you finish Complete the Manifest Destiny Map.