Manifest Destiny Was the United States justified in expanding to the Pacific?

Texas – The Lone Star Republic Mexico offered land grants to Americans During 1830s, Mexico leader Santa Anna banned slavery and suppressed Americans’ rights Texas settlers declared independence “Remember the Alamo”  Santa Anna surrounded and captured the Alamo  Became rallying cry for Americans Stephen Austin – First colonial leader in TX Sam Houston – Hero of war and Governor of TX

Texas was Denied Admission to U.S. Arguments for AdmissionArgument against Admission - Manifest Destiny - Lone Star Republic might fall under foreign influence - Would extend slavery - Would increase Southern power in congress

Oregon U.S. Land ClaimsBritish Land Claims - Captain Robert Gray (1792) - Lewis and Clark ( ) - Sir Francis Drake (1579) - Hudson Bay Company – fur trading Treaty of 1818 – Joint Occupation of Territory Oregon Trail – Thousands of Americans migrated each year “54-40 or Fight!” – U.S. wanted this latitude to be the Northern border Treaty of 1846 – Boundary 49 th Parallel; southern portion became states of WA, OR, ID, MT, & WY

Mexican-American War

Causes of War Dispute over Southern Border of TX Pres. Polk ordered Gen. Zachary Taylor into disputed territory Mexican troops attacked  “American blood on American soil” (?) America’s first foreign war.

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo (1848) Mexico recognized Rio Grande as southern border Mexico ceded New Mexico & California  Mexican Cession - 500,000 sq. miles for $15 mil. Gadsden Purchase (1853)  US purchased southern portions of AZ and NM to build RR to the Pacific