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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. Causes of the Mexican-American War
Texas gained its independence from Mexico in 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.

12. 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 ~

13. 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.

14. 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 ~

15. 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

16. 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

17. Does this image capture Manifest Destiny. Please support with evidence
Does this image capture Manifest Destiny? Please support with evidence. The 19th-century doctrine or belief that the expansion of the US (by white settlers) throughout the American continents was both justified and inevitable.