Manifest Destiny & Westward Expansion

What are the social, political, and

economic impacts of Manifest Destiny

and westward expansion?

Manifest DestinyRoots in LA Purchase + Indian Removal Act, but, termed coined in 1845 (generally represents 1840s/1850s)

Belief that it was America’s “God-given right” to expand westward (coast-coast)

- South agreed → land/slavery- Republican platform = halt slavery’s expansion

Gov’t promotes development of the West- Fed: Homestead Act (1862): 160 acres for small fee → 5yrs

- State: Subsidies ($/land) to RR construction

Republic of TexasTexas declares independence from Mexico (1836)

James Polk (D), embracing Manifest Destiny and riding “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight” campaign slogan, defeats Henry Clay (W)

- US annexes Texas (1846) through joint resolution- South happy → another slave state- Congress settles w/ British on Oregon (est. 1846) and 49th

Parallel to balance free-slave

Mexico-US boundaries not agreed upon...

What impact did the Mexican-American

War have on politics?

Mexican-American WarPresident Polk: Mexico “shed blood on American soil”

- Different opinions- ‘Spot resolutions’- Civil Disobedience (Henry David Thoreau - Transcendentalist)

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)Mexican Cession: ½ territory (CA, NM, AZ, UT, NV) ⅓ US → $15m

***Led to heated debate on slavery in newly acquired territory → Wilmot Proviso fails in Senate; Compromise of 1850...

-

What were the reasons for the

nativist movement?

Consequences of ExpansionEffects:1870s decline of buffalo; erosion of soil (planting crops)Natives relegated to reservations

Pivot to Asia- Clipper ships: faster travel, helped increase trade w/

China (tea); Matthew Perry, 1853: (forced) opening of Japan

To note (and watch): Gadsden Purchase (1853)

Out West

California (admitted as free state in 1850; see: Compromise of 1850):

- Gold Rush (1840s) brings Anglo-Saxon settlers

- 1852: 200k → 1860: 300k

- 1860: Men outnumbered women 3:1

- Minorities’ rights- 150k Native Americans; 100k (former) Mexicans

--- could not civically participate

- By 1860, only 30k Native Americans remained

Debate Turns Political

Free-Soil Party (1848) → limit slavery expansion so white ppl could live AND work (not against slavery!)

v

Nativism returns → American Party (“Know-Nothing”)

- Anti-Catholic, too!