What is “Manifest Destiny” The 19th-century doctrine or belief that the expansion of the US throughout the American continents was both justified and inevitable.

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

U.S. Territorial Expansion When? B - Western Lands 1783 From? Great Britain How? Seven Years War Part of Treaty of Paris (ended Revolutionary War) A B

U.S. Territorial Expansion When? C - Louisiana Purchase 1803 From? France How? Napoleon needed $ Jefferson wanted to buy New Orleans He got all of this instead! A C B

U.S. Territorial Expansion When? D - Florida 1819 From? Spain How? Andrew Jackson invaded Spain then sold it to us for $5 million A C B D

Thinking Question Why weren’t Americans happy with the size of their country at this point in their history?

Mr. Manifest Destiny James K Polk Elected President in 1844 Added more territory to the US than any other President Died 103 days after his only term ended

U.S. Territorial Expansion When? E - Texas 1845 From? Republic of Texas (Independent Country) How? Texas independent from Mexico in 1836 Gained independence to become part of US A C B E D

Texas Independence and Annexation Why did the South support the annexation of Texas? Santa Anna becomes leader of Mexico and Texans rebel fearing they will lose their land. Southerners rush to the aid of Texans after the Alamo Soon after Texas independence, Texas looks to be annexed in to the United States. Due to the balance of Free/Slave states, this was not to be until 1845.

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

Causes of the Mexican-American War Texas gained its independence from Mexico in 1836. Initially, the United States declined to incorporate it into the union, largely because northern political interests were against the addition of a new slave state. The Mexican government was also encouraging border raids and warning that any attempt at annexation would lead to war. Annexation procedures were quickly initiated after the 1844 election of Polk, who campaigned that Texas should be “re-annexed” and that the Oregon Territory should be “re-occupied.” Polk also had his eyes on California, New Mexico and the rest of what is today the U.S. Southwest. When his offer to purchase those lands was rejected, he instigated a fight by moving troops into a disputed zone between the Rio Grande and Nueces River that both countries had previously recognized as part of the Mexican state of Coahuila.

War with Mexico “Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil.” ~ Polk’s War Message ~

War with Mexico 75,000 Mexican citizens lived north of the Rio Grande. U.S. forces were able to conquer those lands with minimal resistance. Mexico turned to old standby General Antonio López de Santa Anna, the charismatic strongman who had been living in exile in Cuba. Santa Anna convinced Polk that, if allowed to return to Mexico, he would end the war on terms favorable to the United States. But when he arrived, he double-crossed Polk by taking control of the Mexican army and leading it into battle. Battle of Buena Vista in February 1847, Santa Anna suffered heavy casualties and was forced to withdraw. Despite the loss, he assumed the Mexican presidency the following month. Meanwhile, U.S. troops led by Gen. Winfield Scott landed in Veracruz and took over the city. They then began marching toward Mexico City, essentially following the same route that Hernán Cortés followed when he invaded the Aztec empire. The Mexicans resisted at Cerro Gordo and elsewhere, but were bested each time. In September 1847, Scott successfully laid siege to Mexico City’s Chapultepec Castle.

Outcome of the war with Mexico Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (Feb. 2, 1848) Mexico relinquishes claims on Texas (Rio Grande Border) Cedes northern half of its territory (Mexican Cession) U.S. pays $15 million for the land and assumed Mexican debts of $3.25 million 13,000 American lives lost Only 1,700 in battle Many Civil War Leaders fought Lee, Davis, Grant, etc. “[O]ne of the most unjust ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation." ~ Ulysses S Grant ~

Opposition to War John Quincy Adams – called it the “most unrighteous war” Abe Lincoln – Spot Resolution – claimed that Americans were attacked in Mexico and not US like Polk claimed Daniel Webster – was opposed to war because he thought it would add more slave states

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

Does this image capture Manifest Destiny Does this image capture Manifest Destiny? Please support your answer with evidence.