1. Manifest Destiny

2. Essential Question & Learning Goal:
How does geography influence the way people live? How do new ideas change the way people live?
Learning Goal:
Students will be able to define and explain the idea of Manifest Destiny, analyze reasons for US territorial expansion from , and describe what trips westward were like for pioneers.

3. lithograph by John Gast, 1872
“American Progress”
lithograph by John Gast, 1872

4. Describing the picture
The picture shows 'America' floating over the plains
She brings light to the dark, deserted landscape
Shows the way for farmers, travelers, the stagecoach, the telegraph, and the railway
Ahead of her are buffalo and other wild animals
Indians (the darkness) turn and run from progress leaving the way clear for settlement

5. What is Manifest Destiny?
Belief that the US should expand its territory from coast to coast (between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans)

6. Manifest Destiny Quote
"(It is) ..our manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent which providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty“
- John O'Sullivan in 1845
A myth of the west as a land of romance and adventure emerged

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

8. US Territorial Expansion
When?
1783
From where?
Great Britain
Why?
Part of the Treaty of Paris (ended Revolutionary War)
B - Western Lands B A

9. US Territorial Expansion
When?
1803
From where?
France
Why?
Jefferson wanted to buy New Orleans
C - Louisiana Purchase C A B

10. US Territorial Expansion
When?
1819
From where?
Spain
Why?
Andrew Jackson invaded
Spain then sold it to US for $5 million
D - Florida C B A D

11. US Territorial Expansion
When?
1845
From where?
Republic of Texas (independent country)
Why?
Texas independent from Mexico in 1836
Northerners feared it would become a slave state
Fears finally overcome in presidential election
E - Texas C B A E D

12. US Territorial Expansion
When?
1846
From where?
Great Britain
Why?
Claimed by 4 countries (Great Britain, Russia, Spain and US)
Americans demanded
“54° 40’ or fight!”
Britain compromised 49°N and US accepted
F - Oregon Territory F B C A E D

13. US Territorial Expansion
When?
1848
From where?
Mexico
Why?
Polk offers to buy G from Mexico and they refuse
War!
US wins
In treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, US offers $15 million for G
G - Mexican Cession F C B A G E D

14. Overland Immigration to the West
Between 1840 and 1860, more than 250,000 made the trek westward

15. What was the trip like? Lasted 5 or 6 months
Pioneers had to start in the spring and complete the trip by winter
Snow would block the mountain passes
Walked across plains, rivers, and up/down steep mountains

16. Problems Along The Way Pioneers feared attacks by Native Americans
(did not occur often)
More often the Native Americans traded goods and assisted as guides
About 1 out of 10 pioneers died on the trails because of disease, overwork, hunger, and accidents

18. The Doomed Donner Party
April, 1846 – April 1847
Of the 83 members of the Donner Party, only 45 survived to get to California
Consisted of the Reeds and the Donners
James Reed & wife

19. The Doomed Donner Party
Left home in Iowa with three wagons drawn by seven yoke of oxen (along with some cows and horses)
Their journey took a year and many people died
3 different reliefs came to them at Alder Creek
After they were rescued many died from overeating

20. These are the makeshift tents members of the Donner Party had to stay in when the winter snows came and they were trapped at Alder Creek.