1. Manifest Destiny
Why was land out west so important?
EXPANSION!
Movement westward was predestined by God
Ordained to expand to the Pacific Ocean and into Mexican and Native American territory
Most Americans wanted expansion and were willing to move West

2. Question #1 & #2
Take out a sheet of paper and put your name and today’s date on it.
Answer the following questions:
Why was the concept of manifest destiny such as appealing one to Americans in the 1840s?
What happens to the people living on the lands in the west as the United States tries to fulfill their “manifest destiny”

3. Texan Independence
Americans were welcomed into Mexican territory of Texas
Land was inexpensive
Over time led to cultural issues between Americans and Texans
Language
Slavery
Religion
Texas Revolution where they gain their independence from Mexico

4. Land Dispute Border was at Rio Grande River
Later Santa Anna said it was the Nueces River
Manifest Destiny major issue in 1844 election
Quick expansion
Texas becomes state in 1845
President Polk wanted to settle land dispute in Texas
War with Mexico
Land Dispute

5. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Mexico would turn over California and land between there and Texas
U.S. would pay Mexico $15million
The United States now stretches from coast to coast
Manifest Destiny

6. Question #3 Answer the following question on your sheet of paper
Do you think all Mexican land should have been turned over to America after the war?

7. New Lands More than just land for expansion and manifest destiny
GOLD was found in California in 1848
Gold Rush
By 1849 word got out and people flocked to California

10. Question #4 & #5 Answer the following question on your sheet of paper
In what ways do you think the Gold Rush changed the population and set up of California?
How did the Gold Rush encourage the ideas of Manifest Destiny?

11. New Lands Americans happy about land gained from Mexico New towns
Increased economy-> new markets
Manufacturing, mining, farming, shipping and banking developed
One problem
Was slavery going to be allowed to spread to the west coast?
Lots of pressure from both sides