1. AIM: Was Manifest Destiny a positive force in US history?

2. Antebellum Period Period of U.S history prior to the Civil War
(after the War of 1812 – Breakout of the Civil War 1861)

4. “Manifest Destiny”
“(It is) … our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence (God) has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty”
-John O’Sullivan, 1845
(democrat leader and editor of the New York news paper “The Morning Post”)
According to this quote, what was the motivation behind Manifest Destiny?

5. What is Manifest Destiny?
Belief that God had given the continent to Americans and wanted them to settle West
“from sea to shining sea”

6. Why would people want to move West?
(Worksheet)

7. Pros/Cons of Manifest Destiny—Was it a good idea?
Develop 4 pros/4 cons to the idea of Manifest Destiny
Do you believe Manifest Destiny was a positive force in U.S. history? Explain.

8. Mexico Cession, 1848

9. Mexican Cession
Cede:
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: agreement between Mexico and U.S. for lands acquired through the Mexican Cession

10. Reasons for Expansionism
Economic:
Social:
Political: