Manifest Destiny

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Manifest Destiny

• A national mission
• The belief that the United States has a divine
  right to expand its territory to the Pacific
  Ocean.
• John OSullivan, stated it was Americas
  manifest destiny to overspread and to possess
  the whole of the continent which Providence has
  given us.

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Louisiana Purchase

• Up until 1803, the Louisiana Territory was owned
  by the French
• Americans wanted this land for the Mississippi
  River and fur trading
• Due to economic hardships and wars, the French
  were willing to sell this land for a reasonable
  price
• Thomas Jefferson paid 15 million and nearly
  doubled the size of this country

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Oregon Territory

• Polk(Democrat) v. Clay(Whig)
• Polk supports the claims for sole ownership of
  Oregon
• Fifty-four Forty or Fight
• Clay does not take a strong stand
• Polk wins
• June 1846compromiseboundary would be at 49
  degrees

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Texas

• Stephen Austin organizes first American
  settlement in Texas, while it is still controlled
  by Mexico.
• Many settlers in Texas want to be independent
  from Mexico.
• Santa Anna, president of Mexico, wants to exert
  more control over Texas.

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The Alamo

• Santa Anna finds a small Texan force barricaded
  in a nearby mission in San Antonio
• 12 day defense with little ammunition
• Texans eventually defeated and most are killed
  including Davy Crockett(200 killed)
• Remember the Alamo! becomes Battle Cry for
  Texans.

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Independent Texas

• After a loss at the Alamo, Texans, led by Sam
  Houston, win Battle of San Jacinto.
• Texas declares its independence.
• Sam Houston become first president of Texas
• 1845 Texas becomes a state.

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War with Mexico

• Strained relations
• Believed annexation was illegal
• Disputes over Texas-Mexico border
• General Zachary Taylor ordered to march across
  disputed border and built a fort
• Taylors soldiers attacked 1 month later
• Congress declares war on Mexico

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War with Mexico

• Americans divided over the war
• Democrats and newspapers support
• Whigs and Northerners oppose (Lincoln and
  Frederick Douglass)
• Polks Plan
• Drive Mexican forces out of border area
• Seize New Mexico and California
• Take Mexico City

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Results

• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (Feb 1848)
• Mexico gives up all claims to Texas
• Establishes Rio Grande as the border
• Mexican Cession Mexico ceded(gives) California
  and New Mexico to US for 15 million
• Gadsden Purchase 185310 million for strip of
  land at present day Arizona and New Mexico
• Would eventually provide a route for the southern
  transcontinental railroad