Unit #8 – Westward Expansion Notecards

Manifest Destiny

Belief that the U.S. was meant to expand across North America. Similar to Hitler’s Lebensraum and Kipling’s White Man’s Burden: justified taking land or controlling people as “civilizing” them or gaining power.

Americans moving to Texas

Many moved illegally. Mexico required settlers to become citizens, follow Mexican law, and convert to Catholicism; most Americans did not obey.

State nickname from volunteers in Texas War

Tennessee – many residents volunteered to fight for Texas independence.

Texas independence & U.S. annexation

Mexico did not recognize Texas’ independence. U.S. delayed annexation 9 years to avoid war and maintain balance of free vs. slave states.

Presidential election of 1844

“Dark horse” candidate James K. Polk; slogan: “54’40˚ or fight.”

Reasons for Mexican-American War

Official: Mexico attacked U.S. troops in disputed land. Unofficial: Polk wanted Texas, California, and Southwest. Polk provoked war by sending troops into disputed territory between Rio Grande and Nueces River.

“Spotty Lincoln”

Abraham Lincoln questioned Polk’s claim that blood was first shed on U.S. soil; asked for the exact “spot.”

Mexican War: Economic & Moral

Economic: U.S. would gain land and resources. Moral: Some argued war was unfair and aggressive.

Machiavellian & Mexican War

Means: “The ends justify the means.” U.S. trapped Mexico into a bad choice, showing political pragmatism.

Gadsden Purchase

1852: U.S. paid $10 million to Mexico for land south of the Gila River (modern southern Arizona & southwestern New Mexico). Purpose: to build a Southern Transcontinental railroad.