Manifest Destiny 1840’s

California HistoryCalifornia History

Manifest Destiny

• Journalist John L. O’ Sullivan coined the phrase- Manifest Destiny.

• He stated, “The United States was predestined to control the entire continent because God wanted it that way.”

• “Americans believed that they were destined to spread to Pacific coast”

Journalist John L. O’ Sullivan

Why did Americans support Manifest Destiny?

• Americans wanted to settle on land along the west coast

• Americans feared the British would take vacant lands in the west.

• Merchants needed a place to reload ship as they traveled to Asia.

• Americans felt they were spreading democratic values and freedom to the west.

• The rise of nationalism in the country.

The Goals of Manifest Destiny

TEXAS REVOLUTION1836

AMERICANS LIVING IN MEXICAN TERRITORIES

• Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1820.

• Many Americans moved to Mexico for its vast stretch of land.

• Many Americans were illegal immigrants because they chose not to honor Mexico’s rules of citizenship. – Americans had to take an oath of allegiance to

Mexico.– Americans had to convert to Catholicism.

Texas’s Rebellion

• The Mexican government and the Texas settlers could not agree on how many immigrants could come into Texas.

• They could not agree on the issue of slavery since Americans were bringing slaves into the territory.

• Finally, how would Texans govern themselves.

STEPHEN AUSTIN VS. ANTONIO SANTA ANA

• Stephen F. Austin led the rebellion against Mexico since the Texans were not happy with Mexico’s government.

• General Antonio Santa Ana led the rebellion against the Americans.

Antonio Santa Ana

Stephen F. Austin

THE FALL OF ALAMO• Sam Houston fought against General

Martin de Cos.• The Mexicans surrendered at

Gonzalez.• General Santa Ana marched to Alamo

and they fought for 11 days.• The Americans were massacred at

the mission.• At the battle of San Jacinto, the

Mexicans were caught off guard and were ambushed.

• Mexico surrendered to Sam Houston and Texas was free and independent.

The MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR:

1846-1848

MANIFEST DESTINY-MANIFEST DESTINY-EXPANDING TO THE WESTEXPANDING TO THE WEST

Events leading to The Mexican-American War

• In 1835, The United States offered to purchase California for 5 millions dollars. Mexico refused.

• In 1845, United States offered to purchase New Mexico and California for 25 million dollars.

• The US would absorb Mexico’s debt since it owed money to Americans.

Causes

• Mexico was not happy with Texas annexing to United States

• Mexico and United States arguing over the Rio Grande River and Nueces River Boundaries

• United States wanted to expand to the West.

California’s Influence

• Many Americans were moving to California

• President Polk wanted California to be part of US.

• He was a big supporter of Manifest Destiny.

James Polk

US Generals: Zachary Taylor

Zachary Taylor

•"Tell him to go to hell." (His reply to Mexican General Santa Anna's demand for surrender)" Zachary Taylor

Upon its preservation [the United States] must depend our own happiness and that of countless generations to come. Whatever dangers may threaten it, I shall stand by it and maintain it in its integrity to the full extent of the obligations imposed and the power conferred upon me by the Constitution." (1849) Zachary Taylor

US General: Winfield Scott

Winfield Scott

"I give it as my fixed opinion, that but for our graduated cadets, the war between the United States and

Mexico, might, and probably would have, lasted some four or five years

with in its first half, more defeats than victories falling to our share; whereas,

in less than two campaigns, we conquered a great country and a

peace, without the loss of single battle or skirmish."

Battles in Mexico

• Americans invaded New Mexico in 1846

• Many Americans died because of bad conditions and diseases in Mexico

Battles in Mexico

• General Zachary Taylor led the troops in Monterrey and captured the city on September 25, 1846.

Battle of Monterrey

Battles in Mexico

• On March 28, 1847 ,General Winfield Scott landed in Veracruz and defeated the Mexicans. It was important for Americans to control the port.

Battles in Mexico

• In the Fall of Chapultepec, Mexico lost to the Americans

• Ninos Heroes tried to hold on to the Castle but failed- they died rather than surrender

Americans taking over Mexico City

Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo

• It was signed on February 2, 1848.

• United States paid 15 million for the following states: California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

• The border boundary was the Rio Grande

Gadsden Purchase

• In 1853, the United States purchased a small strip of land in Arizona and New Mexico.

• United States paid 10 million.

• This would help with the railroad getting to California

Results of the war

• Over 100 million was spent on the war.

• 13,780 people were killed.• It helped Americans train

in military battle and it was preparation for the Civil War

• Zachary “Old Rough and Ready” Taylor becomes President under the Whigs

Zachary Taylor

Sources

• http://www.pbs.org/kera/usmexicanwar/resources/primary_sources.html#

• http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/guadalupe-hidalgo/

• http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/guadhida.asp

• http://www.dmwv.org/mexwar/documents/polk.htm