Manifest Destiny and the Growing Nation

American Progress Painting

Painting activity for class: Analyze painting individually or in pairs and answer questions using evidence from the painting.
Questions for Analysis:
1. Which groups are moving from east to west and what are they bringing?
2. Which groups are moving west?
3. Which groups were already in the West and what is happening to them?
4. Who is the main figure in the center and what might she represent?
5. Did John Gast (painter) believe U.S. expansion was justifiable in the 1800s? Why or why not?

Importance of New Orleans & Mississippi River:
- Farmers in early 1800s used the Mississippi River to float crops to New Orleans.
Napoleon's Plan for Louisiana:
- Plan: French farmers would produce food for French colonies.
- Alarm for American Farmers: No access to markets because of the French colonization attempts, limiting economic opportunities.
Deal Made on April 30, 1803 (Louisiana Purchase):
- Napoleon's willingness: Preferred selling to America rather than Britain seizing it.
Pros of the Louisiana Purchase:
- Doubled the size of the U.S.
- Low price.
- Control of Mississippi River.
- Avoided war with France.
Cons of the Louisiana Purchase:
- Hard to govern such a large territory.
- Potential loss of power for existing states.
- Paying with money they didn't have.
- Concerns about the purchase being unconstitutional.

President Monroe's orders to Andrew Jackson in 1818:
- Ordered Jackson to end Indian raids.
- Jackson's actions: Captured Spanish military posts, executed British citizens for inciting raids, and replaced the Spanish governor with an American.
Deal with Spain in 1819 (to end conflict over Florida):
- Spain ceded Florida to the U.S. due to fear of war.
- U.S. paid Spain 5 million for it.

Complaints of American Settlers in Texas (1830):
- Used to governing themselves.
- All official documents had to be in Spanish.
Complaints of Tejanos (1830):
- Americans came to Texas without Mexico's consent.
- Many immigrants had little respect for Tejano culture.
Timeline of Events Leading to Texas Independence:
- 1821: Moses Austin granted land in Texas for an American colony.
- 1829-1830: Slavery outlawed, approximately 25,000 Texans and 4,000 Tejanos resided in Texas, and Tejanos complained about U.S. immigration.
- 1833: Stephen F. Austin was jailed after trying to share his demands.
- 1835: Stephen F. Austin was released, and Texas rose in revolt.
- March 1836: The Alamo was taken by General Santa Anna's orders.
- April 1836: Houston and his army surprised Santa Anna and his troops west of the San Jacinto River; Texans charged, "Remember the Alamo."
- 1836-1845: Republic of Texas was a free/independent country (Lone Star Republic).
Texas becomes the 28th state in 1845:
- Argument in favor: They would be better governed, Texas needed to be governed.
- Argument against: More land means more slaves/slave states.

Agreement between Great Britain and the U.S. in the 1820s concerning Oregon: "Joint occupation".
Oregon as a "pioneer's paradise":
- Perception of constant sunshine and lack of diseases.
James Polk's "Fifty-four forty or fight!" in 1844 presidential campaign:
- Meaning: Polk claimed he wouldn't rest until the U.S. got all of Oregon County up to the 54°40′ line of latitude.
- Outcome: He did not follow through, as he didn't want war with Britain.

President Polk's belief about Mexican government's willingness to sell California and New Mexico:
- The Mexican government had neglected these territories.
U.S. Congress declares war on Mexico in 1846:
- Disputed area of Texas - Texas wanted the Rio Grande River as the border, but Mexico did not agree.
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Details:
- U.S. had no right to any Mexican territory other than Texas.
- Included only Texas, while some in the U.S. wanted more of Mexico's land.
- Some claimed New Mexico and California were worth nothing.
U.S. Buy the Gadsden Purchase in 1853:
- Railroad builders wanted to build more railroads because the land was flat.