Manifest DestinyAPUSH - SPICONARDI

John Gast, American Progress

John Melish Map (1816)

From Sea to Sea“To present a picture of it was desirable in every point of view. The map soconstructed, shows at a glance the whole extent of the United States territory from sea to sea; and in tracing the probable expansion of the human race from east to west, the mind finds an agreeable resting place on its western limits. The view is complete, and leaves nothing to be wished for. It also adds to the beauty and symmetry of the map; which will, it is confidently believed, be found one of the most useful and ornamental works ever executed[created] in this country.”

–John Melish, 1816

John O’Sullivan’s Argument

John O’Sullivan was an American columnist and editor. Read his “Great Nation of Futurity.”

Oregon Trail Oregon Fever

After the U.S. Navy published a report about the excellent harbors of the Puget Sound, interest in Oregon greatly increased

In 1843, a thousand people with ____________gathered in Independence, MO to head out west100 wagons5000 cattle

More than 5,000 settlers would set out over the next two years

By 1860, 250,000 Americans braved the Oregon Trail65,000 headed to Oregon185,000 head to California

Texas: To Annex or Not?In 1844, President John Tyler called for the annexation of Texas (supported by southerners)Tyler and his Secretary of State, John C. Calhoun,

sent treaty to SenateHenry Clay and Martin Van Buren opposed annexation fearing

slavery would become a central issue

At the same time, northerners called for the “reoccupation” of Oregon“Fifty four forty or fight”

Pro-slavery, annexation supporting James K. Polk is elected president since he linked annexation and reoccupation.

Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny

Term used to express the idea that Americans were destined by God to settle North American from the Atlantic to the Pacific OceanSpread democracy and

republicanismSpread Protestantism Support American’s growing

population

But whose version of republicanism & democracy?