American Progress, John Gast (1872)

Manifest Destiny• What popular religious belief

provided the backbone for the Manifest Destiny?

• Which political group supported the expansion, and what tasks did they hope to achieve?

• Why do you think that the Manifest Destiny followed the continuing legacy of the puritan Utopianism and the Revolutionary Republicanism?

• What else contributed to the feeling of national superiority?

Two North Americas

United States Mexico

Manifest Destiny and the US Mexican War1.Who was involved in the Texas revolt of

1835 and what was the result?2.Describe the controversy in the United

States over the annexation of Texas.3.How did the Oregon Territory become part

of the United States?4.Why did Polk declare war on Mexico?5.Who were the critics of the US Mexican

War and what were their criticisms?6.What part did “race” begin to play in the

idea of Manifest Destiny? 7.What happened during the Gold Rush in

California and how did it affect the racial makeup of the state?

Texas and the U.S. Mexican

War• 1821:

Mexico completes its war of Independence, separating from Spain.

Anglos (from the U.S.) led by Stephen F. Austin begin settling in the northern Mexican territory of Tejas, invited by the Mexican government.

• 1830: Over 20,000 Anglos have settled in

Texas (along with 2000 slaves).

• 1835:– The Mexican Government tries to centralize

its power in Mexico City. Resistance begins from many states (especially Texas).

– Sam Houston leads the Texans in declaring rebellion against the Mexican government.

– President Santa Anna is furious, declares all-out war on the Texas rebels, leading the Mexican army personally.

• 1836:– Santa Anna’s Brutality at the Alamo and

Goliad become a rallying cry for the Anglo Texans.

– Texan rebellion is successful, the Independent Republic of Texas is formed.

Antonio de Padua

María Severino López de

Santa Anna y

Pérez de Lebrón

• 1845:– After several years, Congress admits

Texas to the U.S. as the 28th state (and the 15th slave state).

– Tension grows between U.S. and Mexico.

• 1846:– President James K. Polk orders U.S.

troops into disputed territory between the Rio Nueces and the Rio Grande; Mexican forces open fire, killing U.S. soldiers. War is declared.

– Some Americans oppose the war,including a young Illinois Congressman, Abraham Lincoln.

– As U.S. troops move rapidly south out of Texas, taking Monterrey; rebellion in California adds a new concern for Mexico.

• 1847:– U.S. forces win California. – U.S. General Winfield Scott invades the port of

Veracruz and marches inland toward Puebla and Mexico City.

– The U.S. defeats Mexican forces in Mexico City, occupying the capital, ending the war.

• 1848:– The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo:

• Mexico recognizes Texas as part of U.S.A.• Mexico cedes (gives away) a giant northern part of

its territory to the U.S. (Calif, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Nevada).

• Any Mexicans remaining become automatic U.S. citizens.

• Mexican land rights not protected.• Legacies:

– Mexico becomes dependent on U.S.– U.S. has a new cultural population.– Manifest Destiny is achieved.