fulfilling the destiny completing manifest destiny
TRANSCRIPT
Fulfilling the DestinyCompleting Manifest Destiny
Land acquisitions
Manifest Destiny
• The belief that the whole of North America (minus Canada) to the Pacific Ocean was the dominion of the United States.
Annexation of texas
• Moses Austin: was amongst the first Americans to receive a land grant from Mexico—18,000 sq. miles!
• Empresarios were land barons whom Mexico granted enormous tracts of land for cultivation.
• Gradually these Empresarios turned Tejas into a land dominated by cotton production and slavery.
Austin’s hand picked settlers
• Austin insisted on:• No drunkards• No frontiersmen• No profane swearer• Prosperous southern slaveholders
Profitable texas
• Texas was sending an estimated $500,000.00 worth of merchandise to New Orleans for shipment to the Northern textile mills each year.
• Mexico is going to look to reign in this profitable exchange and reassert control over Mexico.
• Leadership change to Santa Anna
independence
• Texas declares independence from Mexico.
• War breaks out between Mexico and Texas
• Military effort led by Sam Houston
• Key conflicts: Goliad and the Alamo
• Republic achieved 1836
Texas massacres inspire
Goliad The Alamo
• http://akorra.com/uploads/1/Battle_of_the_Alamo.jpg
To annex?
Northern perspective
• Northern Whigs were not in favor of the annexation of Texas.
• Was in Congress several times!
• Not interested in a war with Mexico
Southern perspective
• Southern Democrats were absolutely in favor of the annexation of Texas.
• Change congressional balance, extend slavery, and increase wealth.
• War with Mexico not something they opposed.
Texas to statehood
Election of 1844
• James K. Polk—the darkhorse. Clay versus Polk.
• Struggles of John Tyler (president who actually annexed Texas)
• Election decided by a third party! A small margin of but 40,000 votes!
Who is James k. polk?
James K. Polk
• America’s first “darkhorse”
• A very highly regarded president in many circles.
• Chose to serve one term—known for his commitment to Manifest Destiny
Oregon
54-40 or fight!
• James K. Polk takes a hardline stance with Britain who occupied the area.
• As population increases calls for statehood do as well.
• Oregon is admitted to the union on the heels of Texas in 1846.
• Slavery?
Completing America’s Manifest Destiny
1846-8
The Mexican American War
• Dark Horse
• Election of 1844
• Unfinished business after the joint annexation of Texas and Oregon.
• Mexico’s condition in 1844.
• Reasons for interest in Mexican lands?
James K. Polk
The land calls
• The land possessed great promise.
• Texas revealed its significance.
• Mexico was afraid expansion would continue South into Mexico itself.
The wars course
• The propaganda machine in US newspapers had been in high gear since the days of Texas.
War breaks out!
• Mexico responded to Taylors aggressive stance.
• Killing or wounding 16 capturing the rest of the party.
• “Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and ,shed American blood upon American soil….war exists”
• Lincoln’s “Spot” speech
“Mr. Polk’s War”
• War’s popularity
• Polk’s work ethic
• Mexico would sue for peace after several key victories
• US would keep occupied lands.
The Call to Arms
• US Army stood at 7400 prior…Polk’s call for volunteers garnered 112,000!
Taylor gets key victories, Kearny wins without firing a shot!
• Taylor takes Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma.
• Kearny takes Santa Fe ad Monterrey
• Also captured San Diego and Los Angeles.
• More US troops die from disease than they do from combat related wounds…by a huge margin.
War ends
• Taylor pummels Santa Anna at Buena Vista.
• The amphibious landing at Veracruz.
• The victory was a stunning success. Winfield Scott wrote Polk “Mexico no longer has an army”.
• Short lived statement. Santa Anna rallies for one final defense of Mexico City with 30,000 men, the city would soon be captured.
Guadalupe-Hidalgo
The Civil War begins…
• What to do with Mexico?
• Northern and Southern perspectives emerge.
• Wilmot Proviso…
The 800 Lb. Gorilla in the room
• Congress agreed in 1844 not to talk about Slavery.
• Why?
• Until…1849
• David Wilmot