Westward Movementand Manifest Destiny

Territorial Expansion by the Territorial Expansion by the MidMid--Nineteenth CenturyNineteenth Century

Manifest DestinyDivine mission to extend power and civilization across North AmericaDriven by population, economic development, technology, and reform

Texas War of IndependenceAfter Mexico won independence from Spain – wanted settlers to farm the land

By 1830, Americans outnumbered Mexicans 3:1

Friction developed

Mexico outlawed slavery

Required all immigrants to convert to Catholicism

General Antonio Lopez de’ Santa Anna

Declared himself dictator of Mexico (1834)

Abolished the federal system of government

Enforced Mexico’s laws

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General Sam HoustonRevolted and declared Texas a independent republic (1836)

Battle of San JacintoCaught Mexicans off guard and captured Santa Anna

Forced to sign a treaty recognizing Texas’ independence

First president of the Republic of Texas

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Annexation of Texas Both Jackson and Van Buren put off Texas’ request for statehood – opposition of expansion of slavery

Threat of war with Mexico dampened expansionist zeal

Tyler would try to annex Texas but Senate rejected the treaty in 1844

Annexing TexasAfter the 1844 election - outgoing President Tyler will push for a joint resolution for annexation

This procedure required only a simple majority of each house

Polk was left with the problem of dealing with Mexico’s reaction

Election of 1844James K. Polk was the “dark horse” candidate of the Democrats

For Annexation of Texas, acquisition of California, and the “reoccupation” of Oregon

Whig nominee Henry Clay

Straddled the issue of annexation

First against it then later for it

Alienated a group of voters in New York – proved decisive

James K. PolkAppealed to westerners and southerners who were in an expansionist mood

“Fifty-four Forty or Fight”Referred to the line of latitude that marked the border between the Oregon Territory and Russian Alaska

Oregon Treaty of 1846Negotiators agreed to divide at the 49th parallel

Vancouver Island granted to Britain with navigation rights of the Columbia River

Northerners upset – thought removed potential free states

Mexican War 1846-1848Polk sent Slidell to negotiate with Mexico

Buy the California and the New Mexico territories

Settle dispute Texas-Mexico border

Mexican government refused to sell and insisted that Texas’ southern border was on the Nueces River

Immediate Cause for WarPolk ordered Zachary Taylor to move his army toward the Rio GrandeMexican army crossed the Rio Grande and captured an American army patrol, killing 11Polk sent his (already prepared) war message to Congress

Military CampaignsGeneral Zachary Taylor’s force of 6,000 men drove the Mexican force from Texas and won a major victory at Buena VistaGeneral Winfield Scott invaded central Mexico and captured Mexico City Sept 1847

Consequences of WarWar was disaster for Mexico

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)

Rio Grande southern border of Texas

U.S. will pay $15 million for California and New Mexico