Manifest Destiny Key Terms

Molly Maguires

A secret Irish labor organization that protested harsh working conditions in Pennsylvania coal mines.

Tammany Hall

A powerful Democratic political machine in New York City, known for corruption and immigrant support.

Know-Nothing Party

A nativist political party opposing immigration and Catholic influence in the mid-1800s.

John Tyler

The 10th U.S. president, known for opposing his own Whig Party and annexing Texas.

Tariff of 1842

A protective tariff that raised rates to fund the government and protect American industry.

Manifest Destiny

The belief that the U.S. was destined to expand westward across North America.

William Becknell

The trader who pioneered the Santa Fe Trail, opening trade with Mexico.

Santa Fe Trail

A trade route connecting Missouri to New Mexico, vital for commerce and westward expansion.

Mountain Men

Fur trappers and explorers who mapped the western frontier and guided settlers.

Jedediah Smith

A famous mountain man known for exploring the Rocky Mountains and California.

John Jacob Astor

A fur trade tycoon who founded the American Fur Company.

"Fifty-Four Forty or Fight"

A slogan demanding the Oregon Territory up to the 54°40′ line, nearly leading to war with Britain.

"Gone to Texas"

A phrase used by American settlers moving to Texas for new opportunities.

Texas Revolution - causes, effects

Caused by tensions over Mexican rule and slavery, it led to Texas independence and eventual U.S. annexation.

Goliad

A massacre where Mexican forces executed Texan prisoners, fueling anger against Mexico.

San Jacinto

The decisive battle of the Texas Revolution where Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna.

Alamo

A famous battle where Texas rebels, including Davy Crockett, were defeated by Mexican forces.

Lone Star Republic

The independent nation of Texas before its annexation by the U.S. in 1845.

Sam Houston

A leader of the Texas Revolution and first president of the Republic of Texas.

Annexation of Texas - issues, method

Controversial due to slavery expansion, it was annexed via a joint resolution of Congress.

Gag Rule

A Congressional rule (1836-1844) that prevented discussion of anti-slavery petitions.

Conscience Whigs

A faction of the Whig Party that opposed slavery and the Mexican War.

Mexican War - causes

Sparked by U.S. annexation of Texas and border disputes with Mexico.

Mexican War - campaigns & personalities

Featured U.S. victories led by generals like Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott.

John Slidell

A diplomat sent to Mexico to negotiate land purchases before the Mexican War.

Opposition to Mexican War

Many, including Abraham Lincoln and the Conscience Whigs, saw it as an unjust land grab.

Democratic Party's Two-Thirds Rule

Required a two-thirds vote at conventions to nominate a presidential candidate.

Liberty Party

A political party dedicated to abolition, splitting votes in the 1844 election.

James K. Polk

The 11th U.S. president who expanded U.S. territory through the Oregon Treaty and the Mexican War.

Election of 1844

A contest between expansionist Democrat Polk and Whig Henry Clay, with Texas as a key issue.

Walker Tariff

A revenue-based tariff passed under Polk that lowered rates and promoted free trade.

Oregon Treaty

A treaty with Britain in 1846 that divided Oregon along the 49th parallel.

John C. Fremont

An explorer and military leader who helped seize California during the Mexican War.

The Mountain Meadows Massacre

A violent attack in Utah where Mormon militia killed settlers traveling west.

The Fort Laramie Treaty

A 1851 treaty establishing Native American territories and promising government protection.

Zachary Taylor

A U.S. general and war hero in the Mexican War who later became the 12th president.

James G. Birney

An abolitionist and Liberty Party candidate in the 1844 election.

Stephen Kearny

A U.S. general who captured New Mexico and California in the Mexican War.

Winfield Scott

A U.S. general who led the invasion of Mexico City, securing victory in the Mexican War.

John L. O'Sullivan

A journalist who coined the term 'Manifest Destiny' to justify U.S. expansion.

Gadsden Purchase

A 1854 land deal with Mexico, securing land for a southern railroad route.

Webster-Ashburton Treaty

A 1842 treaty settling the Maine-Canada border dispute between the U.S. and Britain.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

The 1848 treaty ending the Mexican War, granting the U.S. vast western territories.

Mexican Cession

The land acquired from Mexico in 1848, including California, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Election of 1848

A presidential race won by Zachary Taylor, with slavery expansion as a major issue.

Wilmot Proviso

A proposed law to ban slavery in territories won from Mexico, never passed.

Gold Rush

The 1849 migration of people to California in search of gold.

49ers

The prospectors who traveled to California in 1849 seeking fortune in the Gold Rush.