Manifest Destiny: TheManifest Destiny: TheU.S. Mexican WarU.S. Mexican War

Manifest Destiny Defined Term first coined by John L. O’Sullivan in

Democratic Review, July 1845 Ideological basis for belief:

– Sincere belief in democracy and republicanism– Idealized view of U.S. as model for others

Ideology intertwined with racist and imperialistic ideas about Indians and Mexicans

Concrete Reasons for Manifest Destiny

Americans tempted by “free” land– U.S. stopped at Mississippi– Knew of California and Oregon

Develop trade with Far East– Pacific Coast to Far East – need base– Jealous of Mexico’s success

Fear of Foreign Invasion– British Claims to Oregon; Mexico in south

Five Examples of early U.S. Expansion

Florida and the Seminole War - 1818– Jackson “conquers” territory from Spain

Adams-Onis Treaty – 1819 Texas Revolution – Discuss Next New Mexico and the Santa Fe Trail Oregon: 1818 agree with Britain to leave it

Free and open, but by 1840s U.S. changes policy

Background to Texas Revolution

1821 – Mexican Independence from Spain One large problem is how to control

northern border and prevent U.S. crossing Land grants and settlement were one way

– Communal, Individual, and Empresario

Mexico was vulnerable to U.S. takeover Texas was most vulnerable

War for Texas Independence

Texan’s resented Santa Ana’s change to a centrist government.

On November of 1835 decided to uphold original 1821 Constitution and rebel against Santa Anna government.

Santa Ana marches 7,000 troops to Texas to put down rebellion. Arrives in San Antonio in February of 1836. Faced 200 men in Alamo

Texas Independence

Texans again defeated at Battle of Goliad March 1, 1836 declared Independence

– Elected Sam Houston as President

Houston’s troops attacked Santa Ana at San Jacinto in April 1836. Routed Santa Ana.

Under duress, Santa Ana signs Treaty of Velasco Mexican government repudiated treaty and never

recognized Texas Independence

Santa Ana Signs Treaty of Velasco

U.S. Annexation of Texas

Houston and Texas immediately ask for annexation by U.S.

Northern liberals oppose because they fear spread of slavery.

Texas remains independent nation until March 1, 1845.

Mexico sees annexation as a declaration of War and diplomatically leaves Washington

4 Factors leading to U.S./Mexican War

Mexican anger over annexation of Texas Dispute over Texas/Mexican border

– Nueces River or Rio Grande Instability of Mexican government

– 19 governments in 25 years Polk Administration’s drive to expand U.S.

– Polk saw his mandate as creating a coast-to-coast nation

President James Polk

John Slidell

Diplomatic Prelude to War

1845 Polk sends Zachary Taylor to Corpus Christi. Encamped on Nueces River

Sends John Slidell to negotiate. He offers:– $5 million for New Mexico west of Rio Grande– $25 million for California

Strong anti-U.S. sentiment meant that Mexico would not accept offer

March 1846 Taylor crossed Nueces and war begins

Richard Caton Woodville, News From the Mexican War 1848

Aftermath of Battle

U.S. troops waiting in Mexico City. A war defense became a war of Conquest

If it was U.S. manifest destiny to conquer land, were they also to conquer people?

Three barriers to the “All Mexico” plan– Northern liberals hated conquest– Slavery question– Racism – could the U.S. really incorporate all the 8

million Mexican and Indians?

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Annexed half of Mexico to the U.S. (San Antonio)

Created Rio Grande as international border U.S. Paid $15 million to Mexico for territory. 1848 irony. Mexicans hear of Gold Rush in

California and Treaty on same day In 1854 Gadsden Purchase solidifies southern

boundary and mineral deposits to U.S.