Fulfilling the DestinyCompleting Manifest Destiny

Land acquisitions

Manifest Destiny

• The belief that the whole of North America (minus Canada) to the Pacific Ocean was the dominion of the United States.

Annexation of texas

• Moses Austin: was amongst the first Americans to receive a land grant from Mexico—18,000 sq. miles!

• Empresarios were land barons whom Mexico granted enormous tracts of land for cultivation.

• Gradually these Empresarios turned Tejas into a land dominated by cotton production and slavery.

Austin’s hand picked settlers

• Austin insisted on:• No drunkards• No frontiersmen• No profane swearer• Prosperous southern slaveholders

Profitable texas

• Texas was sending an estimated $500,000.00 worth of merchandise to New Orleans for shipment to the Northern textile mills each year.

• Mexico is going to look to reign in this profitable exchange and reassert control over Mexico.

• Leadership change to Santa Anna

independence

• Texas declares independence from Mexico.

• War breaks out between Mexico and Texas

• Military effort led by Sam Houston

• Key conflicts: Goliad and the Alamo

• Republic achieved 1836

Texas massacres inspire

Goliad The Alamo

• http://akorra.com/uploads/1/Battle_of_the_Alamo.jpg

To annex?

Northern perspective

• Northern Whigs were not in favor of the annexation of Texas.

• Was in Congress several times!

• Not interested in a war with Mexico

Southern perspective

• Southern Democrats were absolutely in favor of the annexation of Texas.

• Change congressional balance, extend slavery, and increase wealth.

• War with Mexico not something they opposed.

Texas to statehood

Election of 1844

• James K. Polk—the darkhorse. Clay versus Polk.

• Struggles of John Tyler (president who actually annexed Texas)

• Election decided by a third party! A small margin of but 40,000 votes!

Who is James k. polk?

James K. Polk

• America’s first “darkhorse”

• A very highly regarded president in many circles.

• Chose to serve one term—known for his commitment to Manifest Destiny

Oregon

54-40 or fight!

• James K. Polk takes a hardline stance with Britain who occupied the area.

• As population increases calls for statehood do as well.

• Oregon is admitted to the union on the heels of Texas in 1846.

• Slavery?

Completing America’s Manifest Destiny

1846-8

The Mexican American War

• Dark Horse

• Election of 1844

• Unfinished business after the joint annexation of Texas and Oregon.

• Mexico’s condition in 1844.

• Reasons for interest in Mexican lands?

James K. Polk

The land calls

• The land possessed great promise.

• Texas revealed its significance.

• Mexico was afraid expansion would continue South into Mexico itself.

It wasn’t just about Mexico

• Ute Warrior • The land was rich in its tribal diversity of Native Americans.

The wars course

• The propaganda machine in US newspapers had been in high gear since the days of Texas.

War breaks out!

• Mexico responded to Taylors aggressive stance.

• Killing or wounding 16 capturing the rest of the party.

• “Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and ,shed American blood upon American soil….war exists”

“Mr. Polk’s War”

• War’s popularity

• Polk’s work ethic

• Mexico would sue for peace after several key victories

• US would keep occupied lands.

The Call to Arms

• US Army stood at 7400 prior…Polk’s call for volunteers garnered 112,000!

Taylor gets key victories, Kearny wins without firing a shot!

• Taylor takes Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma.

• Kearny takes Santa Fe ad Monterrey

• Also captured San Diego and Los Angeles.

• More US troops die from disease than they do from combat related wounds…by a huge margin.

War ends

• Taylor pummels Santa Anna at Buena Vista.

• The amphibious landing at Veracruz.

• The victory was a stunning success. Winfield Scott wrote Polk “Mexico no longer has an army”.

• Short lived statement. Santa Anna rallies for one final defense of Mexico City with 30,000 men, the city would soon be captured.

Guadalupe-Hidalgo

The Civil War begins…

• What to do with Mexico?

• Northern and Southern perspectives emerge.

• Wilmot Proviso…

The 800 Lb. Gorilla in the room

• Congress agreed in 1844 not to talk about Slavery.

• Why?

• Until…1849

• David Wilmot