HOTA Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny

The god-given right for Americans to expand across North America and spread religion and capitalism.

Treat of Guadalupe and Hidalgo

1848

Gained former Mexican states of Alta California, Santa Fe de New Mexico (California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, portions of Colorado & Wyoming)

When did Mexico become independent from Spain?

1821

Why was California interesting?

It had lush valleys and deep harbors

Only 75,000 mexicans lived there when the war started in 1846, making it even more attractive to the US

Post-independence Mexico

Deeply fragmented, mood of optimism. Society fragmented between rich and poor, elites and commoners, etc…

Liberals

Advocated for a federal republic

Conservatives

Advocated for a centralized state, a constitutional monarchy, and the traditional role of the Catholic Church

How many presidents did Mexico have in 33 years?

Mexico had 49 presidents in its first 33 years as a Republic

Santa Anna

President on 8 occasions

Career military officers who supported both liberals and conservatives, as well as fighting against foreign intervention from France and the US

US

Dealt with much smaller geographical space and a homogenous majority population

Thousands of immigrants, particularly Irish, arrived after 1847 and changed the social make-up

Stephen Austin

Credited with bringing the first wave of settlers from the US into the Mexican northern territory

Old Three Hundred

First 300 families to settle in Texas

Thousands of settlers followed, bringing their slaves with them

Ratio of Mexicans to US

By 1830, the mexican government had determined that the US settlers outnumbered the mexicans 4-1 and tried to end immigration

Heavy tax placed on imports and exports in Texas

When and why did the Texans declare independence?

They declared independence in 1836 because they had felt the government was tyrannical and had overturned the Constitution.

Santa Anna as commander

Led the Mexican army, won the battle at the Alamo, lost the battle of San Jacinto and was imprisoned

Treaty of Velasco

granted Texas independence, Mexican government refused to recognize this treaty