1. Westward Expansion

2. Steps Towards Manifest Destiny
Louisiana Purchase:
Thomas Jefferson buys
Louisiana from France
for $15 million, doubling the size of the U.S.
He didn’t purchase with the Manifest Destiny in mind

3. Louisiana Purchase

4. Steps Towards Manifest Destiny
The Lone Star Republic (Texas )
Mexico gains independence from Spain
Mexico encourages Americans to come to Texas ( ,000 Americans go)
Soon American settlers become dissatisfied with Mexican rule (no slavery, religious, cultural difference)
Texans rebel against Mexico

5. Steps Towards Manifest Destiny
Texas gains independence from Mexico (1836)
Texas is an independent country until 1845
Texas is annexed by U.S. and becomes 28th state

6. Steps Towards Manifest Destiny
Oregon Country
England and U.S. allow for joint occupation of the Oregon Country
By 1845 over 5,000 Americans take the Oregon Trail west

7. Steps Towards Manifest Destiny
1844- James K. Polk promises Oregon even at the cost of war with England
Peaceful solution is found in 1846
49th parallel separates Canada and the US

8. Steps Towards Manifest Destiny
The Mexican War
US and Mexico argue over the boundary of Texas
Mexico is resentful of the US annexation of Texas
Skirmishes occur between US and Mexican troops
Congress declares war in 1846

9. Steps Towards Manifest Destiny
Mexican War is an easy victory for the US
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo- US gains the Mexican Cession

10. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Mexico gave up claims to Texas above the Rio Grande River
Mexico gave the US California and New Mexico
US gave Mexico $15 million

11. Mexican Cession

12. Steps Towards Manifest Destiny
Discovery of Gold in
California
After the Mexican War gold was discovered near the sawmill of John Sutter
This discovery ignited “gold fever”
Forty-niners: 100,00 people flock to California to strike it rich (Some become rich most do not)
California becomes 31st state in 1850

13. Steps Towards Manifest Destiny
The Gadsden Purchase (1853)
A transcontinental railroad is proposed
US buys a small piece of land where railroad to travel the entire country will be built
$10 million

14. Colonies

15. 1853- United States