HIST 1301 Part Three 13: An Age of Expansion
Manifest Destiny Trails West
A belief in Manifest Destiny led many Americans to go west in the early 1800s. 2 min. 51 sec. [It is] our manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federated self-government entrusted to us. --John L. O Sullivan, New York Morning News, Dec. 27, 1845
To reach the Far West, Americans followed established trails. Oregon Trail California Trail Santa Fe Trail
The Santa Fe Trail, from Independence, Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico, was an overland trade route opened in 1822.
Starting in 1843, thousands of emigrants went west on the 2,000 mile-long Oregon and California Trails. At that time California was part of Mexico. 3 min. 3 sec.
Oregon pioneers settled mainly in the Willamette River Valley.
California pioneers settled mainly in the Sacramento Valley in Northern California.
The Oregon Question was settled peacefully, June 1846, during the presidency of James K. Polk.
Texas 1821-1845
After Mexico became independent of Spain, Texas was a state in the Mexican Republic.
During the 1820s Mexico invited Americans to settle in Texas.
Immigrants could have over 4,000 acres of land for just $100. They had to agree to become Mexican citizens and take up the Roman Catholic faith.
In 1830, when the Anglo population reached 30,000, worried Mexican officials banned any further immigration into Texas.
In 1835 General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna became President of Mexico. When he centralized power in Mexico City and became a virtual dictator, the Texians rebelled.
In 1836, following defeats at the Alamo and Goliad, the rebel Texians won independence from Mexico. 11 min. 16 sec.
The Republic of Texas 1836-1845
Texas was an independent nation 1836-1845 President Houston President Lamar President Jones
Texas independence was recognized by: The United States Great Britain France But NOT Mexico
The Annexation of Texas 1845
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress Assembled, That Congress doth consent that the Territory properly included within, and rightfully belonging to, the Republic of Texas, may be erected into a new state, to be called the State of Texas, with a republican form of government, to be adopted by the people of said Republic, by deputies in convention assembled, with consent of the existing government, in order that the same may be admitted as one of the States of this Union. --March 1, 1845 In 1845 the U.S. Congress offered Texas terms of Annexation. President John Tyler 1841-1845
Mexico s counter-offer: Conditional Recognition of Independence [But] if this negotiation is not realized on account of circumstances, or because Texas should consent [to annexation], Mexico s offer to recognize the Texan independence shall be considered as null and void.
July 4, 1845: Texans reject Mexico s offer and accept annexation to the U.S.
In August, President Polk sent troops commanded by Gen. Zachary Taylor to guard against a Mexican invasion.
Sept. 1845: Polk sends Diplomat John Slidell to Mexico, to try to negotiate the sale of California and New Mexico. The Mexican government refused to talk to Slidell.
On December 29, 1845, Texas became the 28th state of the Union.
The U.S.-Mexican War 1846-1848
In May 1846, Mexican troops crossed the Rio Grande to attack the U.S. Army.
On May 13, 1846, Congress declared war against Mexico. 5 min. 05 sec. "After reiterated menaces, Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American Soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have commenced, and that the two nations are at war." --U.S. President James K. Polk, May 11, 1846
3 min. 50 sec. California and New Mexico were occupied by U.S. forces, in July and August1846, without firing a shot. Monterey, California Santa Fe, New Mexico
In March 1847 Gen. Winfield Scott, began an invasion of Central Mexico.
On Sept. 14, 1847, Scott s army captured Mexico City. 6 min. 10 sec.
5 min. 12 sec. Mexico recognized the Rio Grande as the boundary of Texas. Mexico sold California and New Mexico to the U.S. for $15 million. In February 1848 diplomat Nicholas Trist negotiated the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
California Gold Rush, 1849 (gold discovered 1848) 2 min. 48 sec.
California entered the Union as a free state in 1850.
1 min. 16 sec. The Gadsden Purchase, 1853: U.S. pays Mexico $10 million for land south of Gila River
Manifest Destiny Fulfilled