1. Manifest Destiny: The U.S. Mexican War

4. Manifest Destiny Defined  Term first coined by John L. O’Sullivan in Democratic Review, July 1845  Ideological basis for belief: – Sincere belief in democracy and republicanism – Idealized view of U.S. as model for others  Ideology intertwined with racist and imperialistic ideas about Indians and Mexicans

5. Concrete Reasons for Manifest Destiny  Americans tempted by “free” land – U.S. stopped at Mississippi – Knew of California and Oregon  Develop trade with Far East – Pacific Coast to Far East – need base – Jealous of Mexico’s success  Fear of Foreign Invasion – British Claims to Oregon; Mexico in south

6. Five Examples of early U.S. Expansion  Florida and the Seminole War - 1818Seminole War - 1818 – Jackson “conquers” territory from Spain  Adams-Onis Treaty – 1819  Texas Revolution – Discuss Next  New Mexico and the Santa Fe Trail  Oregon: 1818 agree with Britain to leave it Free and open, but by 1840s U.S. changes policy

7. Background to Texas Revolution  1821 – Mexican Independence from Spain  One large problem is how to control northern border and prevent U.S. crossing  Land grants and settlement were one way – Communal, Individual, and Empresario  Mexico was vulnerable to U.S. takeover  Texas was most vulnerable

8. War for Texas Independence  Texan’s resented Santa Ana’s change to a centrist government.Santa Ana’s  On November of 1835 decided to uphold original 1821 Constitution and rebel against Santa Anna government.  Santa Ana marches 7,000 troops to Texas to put down rebellion. Arrives in San Antonio in February of 1836. Faced 200 men in Alamo Faced 200 men in Alamo

10. Texas Independence  Texans again defeated at Battle of Goliad  March 1, 1836 declared Independence – Elected Sam Houston as PresidentSam Houston  Houston’s troops attacked Santa Ana at San Jacinto in April 1836. Routed Santa Ana.  Under duress, Santa Ana signs Treaty of VelascoSanta Ana signs Treaty of Velasco  Mexican government repudiated treaty and never recognized Texas Independence

11. Santa Ana Signs Treaty of Velasco

12. U.S. Annexation of Texas  Houston and Texas immediately ask for annexation by U.S.  Northern liberals oppose because they fear spread of slavery.  Texas remains independent nation until March 1, 1845.  Mexico sees annexation as a declaration of War and diplomatically leaves Washington

13. 4 Factors leading to U.S./Mexican War  Mexican anger over annexation of Texas  Dispute over Texas/Mexican border – Nueces River or Rio Grande  Instability of Mexican government – 19 governments in 25 years  Polk Administration’s drive to expand U.S. Polk – Polk saw his mandate as creating a coast-to- coast nation

14. President James Polk

15. John Slidell

16. Diplomatic Prelude to War  1845 Polk sends Zachary Taylor to Corpus Christi. Encamped on Nueces River  Sends John Slidell to negotiate. He offers:John Slidell – $5 million for New Mexico west of Rio Grande – $25 million for California  Strong anti-U.S. sentiment meant that Mexico would not accept offer  March 1846 Taylor crossed Nueces and war beginswar begins

17. Richard Caton Woodville, News From the Mexican War 1848

18. Aftermath of Battle  U.S. troops waiting in Mexico City. A war defense became a war of Conquest  If it was U.S. manifest destiny to conquer land, were they also to conquer people?  Three barriers to the “All Mexico” plan – Northern liberals hated conquest – Slavery question – Racism – could the U.S. really incorporate all the 8 million Mexican and Indians?

19. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo  Annexed half of Mexico to the U.S. (San Antonio)  Created Rio Grande as international border  U.S. Paid $15 million to Mexico for territory.  1848 irony. Mexicans hear of Gold Rush in California and Treaty on same day  In 1854 Gadsden Purchase solidifies southern boundary and mineral deposits to U.S.