Manifest Destiny © Mark Batik Jesuit College Preparatory

John Gast – “American Progress,” (1872)

Manifest What? John L. O’Sullivan coins the phrase a democratic editor “The right of our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federaltive development of self government entrusted to us. It is right such as that of the tree to the space of air and the earth suitable for the full expansion of its principle and destiny of growth.”

What does it mean to say that America is exceptional?

Key Themes Virtue (american exceptionalism) Mission Destiny

What would be signs of divine providence signaling appreciation for the American project?

What did it mean? A conviction that God intended North America to be in control of the United States and the American people. A justification post hoc for what was already going on. Something of a phenomenon, movement, and systematic body of thinking

Desire to explore and conquer Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way (mural study, U.S. Capitol) Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze

Nationalism “...It is confidently believed that our system may be safely extended to the utmost bounds of our territorial limits, and that as it shall be extended the bonds of our Union, so far from being weakened, will become stronger...” ~ From the inaugural address of James K. Polk, 11th President ( )

Religion Conrad Cherry—“America is a nation called to a special destiny by God.” John Winthrop—“America had been providentially chosen for a special destiny.” Great Awakenings Mormons

Trails West

Trade with the far east Asia American East Coast

Security on the borders

Progress

High population growth

Rise of Agriculture

Other Economic/Agriculture factors 1818, 1839 economic depressions Cheap land Desire for land ownership Technological advances Agrarian ideal Slave states

Annexation? Wanted to be annexed in 1830s but domestic politics prevented it TX constitution has open invitation but Jackson does nothing and Van Buren does nothing One more slave state Abolitionist outrage Van Buren might be hurt in the election

Behind the Scenes Jackson recognizes the existence of TX on the last day of his presidency In 1843, the US starts secret negotiations with TX Calhoun again: Sends a letter to a British minister about abolition An attempted treaty of annexation is rejected Afraid of sectionalism Afraid of war with Mexico

Election of 1844

Polk runs on a platform of Manifest Destiny Re-occupation of Oregon and the re-annexation of Texas Henry Clay runs 54º 40’ or Fight!! All of Oregon or none British refuse to compromise because of Vancouver Island 1845 Polk asks for permission to give the British a year The Brits aren’t interested in a fight and in 1846 they submit a treaty 49º less Vancouver Island

War With Mexico Mexico anger over TX US motivated (captivated) by California US pushes troops up to the border In May 1846, Polk asks for war after Mexico shoots

End of war By 1847, Mexico City was occupied Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo Mexico gives up claims to TX Cedes CA and NM to the US US pays 15 million and assumes claims (if people had a claim against the Mexican government, now they had a claim against the US government)

Treaty of 1846 LineWebster Ashburton Treaty 1842 Mexican CessionGadsden PurchaseTexas Annexation

Is Manifest Destiny the reason or the justification for American expansion? What would the United States look like without such a dominant belief in the 19 th century?