“FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA”
Playing out the goals of Manifest Destiny
The Annexation of Texas
Fight for Independence!
At first, Mexicans encourage American settlement◦ Slogan: “GO TO TEXAS!”◦ Yield great wealth, opportunity
Americans eager to utilize great amounts of land in return for pledging to obey Mexican law and Roman Catholicism
Americans begin to outnumber Tejanos
Problems Arise…Clash of Cultures-◦ Cultural issues, including English v. Spanish and most
importantly: slavery◦ Americans who live there a rebellious bunch—start to
clamor for independence.
Stephen Austin provokes revolution!
The Battle of the AlamoThe Battle of the Alamo
General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna Recaptures the Alamo
General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna Recaptures the Alamo
Defeat at the Alamo would prove costly to Mexico
Soon after, the Texan soldiers defeat the Mexicans and become the Republic of Texas
Remember the Alamo!Remember the Alamo!
Texas Declaration of IndependenceTexas Declaration of Independence
The Republic of TexasThe Republic of Texas
Victory in TexasTexas becomes the 28th state in December of
1845.Americans wait ten years to annex Texas—
because of issue of slavery and to avoid war with Mexico.
Pushed with the election of Polk.
FURIOUS MEXICAN GOVERNMENT! ◦ Mexico reacts by cutting off all diplomatic ties with
the U.S.◦ Events move quickly towards war.
Boundary DisputeTexas and U.S. claim that the Rio
Grande marks the southern border of Texas.
Mexican government rejects this idea and argues that the real southern border is the Nueces River.
Nueces River boundaryRio Grande boundary
Let’s take a look at another article written by John O’Sullivan…
How does this pervasive idea of manifest destiny lead to the
Mexican-American War?
The Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
The Mexican American War was a result of American desires to expand their nation from sea to shining sea. The political support of Manifest
Destiny provided the political and economic goals to come together to support expansion of the nation through any means necessary.
James K. PolkThe “dark horse” candidate
from Tennessee wins the election of 1844 with a platform supporting the goals of Manifest Destiny.
Polk supported the Manifest Destiny and the expansion of the United States from “sea to shining sea.”
When Polk becomes President, our dispute with Mexico begins to strengthen.
Steps to WarJune 1845-
President Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to take U.S. troops into disputed border region
Polk claims this action is to protect Texas from possible Mexican attack
Steps to (Avoid?) War
Meanwhile, Polk sent diplomat John Slidell to Mexico City to negotiate the purchase California & New Mexico for $30 million
Slidell’s Mission:◦ Mexican recognition of
the Rio Grande as the TX-MX border
◦ Purchase of land to avoid war
Mexican officials REFUSED to meet with Slidell John Slidell
Steps to War
March 1846 – General Taylor’s troops made camp at the Rio Grande in disputed territory
April 1846 – Mexican commander insisted U.S. troops must leave area and Taylor refused to move
Mexican forces crossed the Rio Grande and attacked group of 63 U.S. soldiers
11 Americans killed
Steps to WarMay 11, 1846 – Polk addressed
Congress
He declared that “Mexico has shed American blood upon the American soil.”
Two days later, Congress declared war on Mexico
Divisions Over WarHow do American’s feel about
this decision?
◦Southerners want war—will expand slavery
◦Northerners oppose it for exact same reason Anti-slavery groups take the lead
Support of the War
For many Americans, the war led to greater national pride
Many people who supported the war believed it would spread republican values
Many southerners supported the war, thinking any territory won would be organized into slave states
Opposition to the War“Mr. Polk’s War”
Many members of the Whig Party thought the conflict was unjustified
Northern abolitionists feared any territory gained in the war might be organized into slave states
Illinois Congressman Abraham Lincoln wrote the “Spot Resolutions” in 1848– asking Polk to show the spot where American blood had been shed on American soil
Polk’s War Strategy
General Zachary Taylor invaded northern Mexico.
General Stephen Kearny traveled west and captured Sante Fe and supported revolt in California– (“Easy Win”)
General Winfield Scott invaded Mexico City.
Conquest of Mexico City
Mexico City◦ Population Center
The attack was to convince Mexico of their loss of the Northern Territories◦ When Santa Anna loses, Polk
offers him $1 Million to sign a peace treaty Santa Anna refuses
The U.S. defeats Mexico City
THE WAR IS WON!!
!
General Scott Enters Mexico CityGeneral Scott Enters Mexico City
U.S. victory—September 1847U.S. victory—September 1847
So, did America achieve manifest
destiny?
US Territorial Expansion
A
When?
From Where?
Why?
•1845
•Republic of Texas (Independent Country)
•Texas independent from Mexico in 1836
•Northerners feared it would become a slave
state •Fears finally overcome in 1944 Presidential election
B
E - Texas
D
C
E
US Territorial Expansion
A
When?
From Where?
Why?
•1848
•Mexico
•Polk offers to buy G from Mexico & they refuse
•War!
•US wins
•In Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, US offers $15 million for G
B
G - Mexican Cession
D
C
E
F
G
Unit 9, Journal #3How did America’s acquisition of
Texas, California, and other pieces of territory accomplish “manifest destiny”?
What was lost along the way?
What was gained?
FOR FUNhttp://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrE8TR2RUU4