Manifest Destiny, Texas Expansion, and 19th Century Reform Movements

Manifest Destiny

The 19th-century belief that the United States was destined and ordained by God to expand its dominion across the continent, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

John L. O'Sullivan

Newspaper editor who first used the term 'Manifest Destiny' in 1845.

Motivations for westward expansion

To seek new economic opportunities, abundant land for farming, and new markets/harbors on the Pacific coast to expand trade with Asia.

Land grants

Mexico offered land grants to American settlers to attract them to Texas.

Conflict sources in Texas

Conflict developed mainly over religion, cultural differences, and the issue of slavery.

The Alamo

A key event/figure in the expansion of the United States and the Texas fights for Independence (The Texas Revolution began in 1835).

Annexation of Texas

Texas became the 28th state of the U.S. in 1845, which reignited hostilities with Mexico.

War with Mexico

Tensions over the U.S. annexation of Texas and disputes over the border location.

James K. Polk's objective

He wanted to bring New Mexico and California into the Union and supported Texas's claim that its southern border was the Rio Grande.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

The treaty that ended the War with Mexico, resulting in huge U.S. territorial gains, signed in 1848.

Gadsden Purchase

A final territorial acquisition associated with the expansion after the War with Mexico.

Gold Rush of California

An event that led to a massive wave of migration to California starting in 1848.

Discrimination in California

Primarily Chinese newcomers faced violence and legal discrimination like high taxes, along with African Americans.

Dorothea Dix

Reformer focused on improving conditions in prisons and asylums.

Horrors discovered by Dorothea Dix

That jails often housed mentally ill people, who were treated inhumanely ('Chained, naked, beaten with rods…').

Abolition Movement

The movement to outlaw slavery.

Frederick Douglass

A prominent former slave, abolitionist, and supporter of women's suffrage.

David Walker

Published the 1829 pamphlet Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World, advising blacks to fight for freedom.

Nat Turner

Led a famous slave rebellion in 1831, which led to white retaliation killing 200 blacks.

Antebellum

Term referring to the pre-Civil War South.

Proslavery arguments

Used the Bible and argued that slavery benefited blacks by making them part of a prosperous and Christian civilization.

Seneca Falls Convention

The first women's rights convention, held in New York in 1848.

Declaration of Sentiments

Issued by the Seneca Falls Convention, stating: 'that all men and women are created equal'.

Temperance Movement

A reform movement that sought to limit or ban the use of alcohol.

Sojourner Truth's famous question

'And ain't I a woman?'

Lowell, Massachusetts

Where the country's first large textile mill opened in 1822, which employed women and children.

Great Potato Famine

The main cause of the increase in Irish immigration starting in 1845.

European revolutions of 1848

Led many Germans to move to America.