unit9-pt3

Manifest Destiny

Idea that the nation of america is destined to exist from the atlantic to the pacific
- America is capable because of its virtues
Preemption act of 1830: Guarantees squatters right to claim land before it is surveyed in the west
John Gasts’s painting depicts an angel: *Seen as divine and a necessity for America to settle west*
Reflection of American Values: Not directed by monarchies, the people can do what they want, settle or not settle
People that embrace religion and industrializing the west
- Removing native americans, making it an american civilization
- Light, railroad tracks, factories, education, telephone lines
  - Shows americas taking over of the uncivilized and creating an American nation
Oregon Trail: one of many paths families and groups take great risks to pass through and head west
- Not before winter = dead

After Mexico gained independence from Spain, Coalhila y Tejas offers land grants to citizens and American emigrants
Stephen F Austin gained large amounts of land and sold it to Americans looking to start cotton plantations
- Soon led to huge amount of slaves and large population
In 1830, Mexico closed the region off to new immigrants and taxed imported goods heavily
Sam Houston pushed for independence for Texans, while Austin pushed for a stronger Mexican state government
Santa Anna becomes dictator in 1835 and has Austin arrested
- Pushed Texans towards complete independence

Santa Anna takes control of the army and marched north
- Texas Republic declares independence on March 2
- Adopted a constitution legalizing slavery
Santa Anna wiped out a Texas garrison and massacres them at The Alamo
Sam Houston catches Santa Annas army resting on the San Jacinto river
- Catches Santa Anna, forces him to sign document stating that Texas is independent
Mexican government did not accept the legitimacy of the independence but did not seek to conquer
Texas votes in favor of annexation in 1836
- Many northerners opposed
- John Tyler pushes resolution of annexation after learning that Britain may also do so
  - Very democratic policy to push for annexation even though it benefits the slave states
  - Opposed by Whigs

Main Issue
- Annexation of Texas and Oregon
John Tyler was only President because of Harrison’s death
- Switched sides from Democrat to Whig
- Whig in name only, governs as a Democrat
Whigs refuse to endorse John Tyler, but so do the democrats
- No political future and an open field
Henry Clay runs for a 3rd time, again loses
James Polk wins on the force of Manifest Destiny
- Democrats are more expansionist, reflects the zeitgeist
- “54 40 or fight”
  - Line of boundary between Oregon country and American land
  - Take land from Britain or fight with them, shows manifest destiny
- Wins state of New York after the Liberty Party pulls enough votes from the Whigs to give Polk the presidency
  - Major parties will not touch slavery, third parties are made to disrupt and send a message, not to win
    - People will throw their vote away just to disrupt the election
Polk’s victory allows Tyler to pass a joint resolution to annex Texas through Congress
- Polk seeks to capture rest of Northern Mexico

US and Britain agree to split Oregon Country at the 49th Parallel
Annexation of texas causes Mexico to suspend diplomatic relations with the US
Polk is determined to capture Mexicos northern regions and tried to lead to annexation
- “exploring party” led by Fremont is sent into the Sacramento River Valley
- Polk offers Mexico 30 million dollars for Alta California, but Mexico refuses

Polk orders Zachary Taylor to cross the Nueces River between Texas and Mexico
Mexico sees this as an invasion
- Gives Polk justification for war
Over the next 2 years the US overwhelmed Mexico and captured it piece by piece
- Fremont staged a revolt and proclaimed the independence of the Bear Flag Republic
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
- Mexico cedes Alta California to the US
  - Full area known as the Mexican Cession
- Rio Grande is the southern border of Texas
- US pays $15 mi ll i o nan d a g ree d t o p a y$ 3.25 million in Mexican debt
Polk completes Manifest Destiny in one term