#5.1 Westward Expansion and the Mexican War

"Manifest Destiny"

Coined by NY journalist John L O'Sullivan, it meant that the US had a divinely appointed mission, so obvious as to be disputed, to occupy all of North America. It was first used in 1845 to urge annexation of Texas; used thereafter to envisage American settlement of European colonial and Indian lands in the Great Plains and the West and, more generally, as a justification for American empire.

westward expansion's promises of freedom and economic prosperity

The settlement and economic exploitation of the West promised to prevent the US from following down the path of Europe and becoming a society with fixed social classes and a large group of wage-earning poor; the West still held out the change to achieve economic independence, the social condition of freedom.

Mormonism

Emerged in a center of the Second Great Awakening, upstate NY. It responded to the disruptions caused by the market revolution. It was self-conciously democratic, admitting anyone, regardless of wealth or occupation, who accepted Smith's message. He condemned the selfishness of the rich. Gradually he began to receive visions that led to more controversial doctrines such as polygamy.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Religious sect founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith; it was a product of the intense revivalism of the "burned-over district" of New York. Smith's successor Brigham Young led 15,000 followers to Utah in 1847 to escape persecution.

The Book of Mormon

Published by Joseph Smith in 1830. He claimed to have been led by an angel to a set of golden plates covered with strange writing which he then translated and named after a 4th century prophet. It tells the story of three families who traveled from the ancient Middle East to the Americas, where they eventually evolved into Native American tribes. Jesus appears to one of the families his death and resurrection. The second coming of Christ would take place in the New World, where Smith was God's prophet.

Joseph Smith

Founded Mormonism in New York in 1830 with the guidance of an angel. He condemned the selfishness of the rich but he gradually became to receive increasingly controversial visions such as polygamy. Mobs drive Smith and his followers of out of NY, OH, and MO before they settle in Nauvoo IL to await the 2nd coming. 5 years later he was charged with inciting a riot and was murdered while awaiting trial.

Brigham Young

Smith's successor, and moved more than 2k followers to the Great Salt Lake, UT where they seeked refuge and could practice their faith undisturbed (the area was then a part of Mexico).

Continental expansion

The gradual spread of the US during the 19th century to the Pacific coast, thereby becoming a continental power

the Oregon Trail

2000 mile long path along which thousands of Americans journeyed to the Willamette Valley in the 1840's.

the Mexican Frontier

When Mexico achieved its independence from Spain in 1821, it was nearly as large as the US. Its Northern Provinces (CA, TX, NM) were isolated and sparsely settle outposts surrounded by Indian country. With the opening in 1821 of the Santa Fe Trail linking the Santa Fe with with Independence, MO, the norther periphery of the New Mexican nation was quickly incorporated into the the sphere of influence of the rapidly expanding US.

Election of 1844: "fifty-four-forty or fight,"

American control of Oregon all the way to its northern boundary at N latitude 54 40'

the Annexation of Texas

Texas decides to secede from Mexico and attempts to declare its independence which eventually leads to American adoption of the land as a state although it was feared that it would cause conflict with Mexico leading to war. Southern states in support of this as Texas brought slaves with it meaning it would increase agricultural profits

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Confirmed annexation of Texas and the cession of California and present-day New Mexico. Guarantees that male citizens of the area have the freedom of their liberty and property and all the rights of Americans

the debate over the Mexican War

Many supported the war inspired by the expansionist fervor of manifest destiny but a significant minority in the North dissented, fearing that the administration's real aim was to acquire new land for the expansion of slavery.

Abraham Lincoln's Spot Resolutions

He was a critic of the war and in 1847, introduced a resolution asking the president to specify the precise "spot" where blood had first been shed. His stance was unpopular in IL and although he had already agreed to only serve one term in Congress, when Democrats captured the seat the following here, many blamed in on his criticism of the war.

Mexican War: justification

manifest destiny

Mexican War: results

The US absorbs half a million sq mi of Mexico's territory, 1/3 of the nation's total area, Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo,

The Gold Rush

a period from 1848 to 1856 when thousands of people came to California in order to search for gold.

Consequence of the Gold Rush

Population boom, its especially diverse with male dominance: Indians, Irish, Germans, Italians, Chinese, Australians, etc.

Economic development worsens conflicts among California's many racial and ethic groups in fierce competition for gold.

Indian communities are overrun and thousands are murdered by miners, ranchers, and vigilantes.