westward movement and manifest destiny. manifest destiny divine mission to extend power and...
TRANSCRIPT
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