Manifest DESTINY [APUSH Review Unit 5 Topic 2] Period 5: 1844-1877

Westward Expansion

Time Period:

• Late 18th century to first half of 19th century.

Concept:

• Central to American national identity; viewed as essential for growth and opportunity.

Geographic Milestones:

• Initial expansion west of the Atlantic Coast, marking the first strides toward the continent's interior.

• Followed by extensive settlement in the Ohio River Valley, which became a hub for new communities.

• The Louisiana Purchase (1803) significantly fueled further expansion, as it doubled the size of the United States and opened vast amounts of land for exploration and settlement.

Manifest Destiny

Origin:

• Coined by John O’Sullivan in July 1845, a journalist and editor who promoted the idea of expansion.

Definition:

• The belief that Americans had a divine right, ordained by providence, to expand across the continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Quote:

• O’Sullivan declared this destiny pertains to the right to "overspread and to possess the whole of the continent."

Implication:

• Rooted in the belief of Providence (God's will) supporting American expansion as a manifestly ordained mission.

Expansion:

• Eventually included territories beyond the continental United States, extending into the Pacific regions, such as California, and the Caribbean, including a brief interest in Cuba.

Motivations for Westward Expansion

Access to Resources:

• The discovery of gold in California (1848) spurred the California Gold Rush, prompting a massive influx of people hoping to strike it rich.

• Additional gold and silver discoveries in Colorado, the Dakotas, and Nevada led to further migrations, forming new communities known as mining towns.

Economic Opportunities:

• Legislative support through the Preemption Acts of the 1830s and 1840s made land affordable for homesteaders, promoting agricultural development.

• Migration primarily consisted of middle-class Americans seeking farmland as an opportunity to improve their lives.

Religious Refuge:

• The Mormons, fleeing religious persecution due to beliefs such as polygamy, migrated to Utah, seeking a safe haven.

• Approximately 70,000 Mormons moved to Utah over 20 years, establishing a thriving community influenced by their faith.

Political Context

Election of James K. Polk (1844):

• Strong proponent of Manifest Destiny, emphasizing the belief that it was America’s destiny to expand.

• Focused on the annexation of Texas and resolution of the Oregon dispute as central issues during his presidency.

Texas

Background:

• Americans began settling in Texas (then part of Mexico) in the 1820s, lured by land grants.

• By 1830, Americans outnumbered Mexicans in Texas, escalating tensions and demands for self-governance.

Conflicts:

• The Mexican government required settlers to convert to Catholicism and outlawed slavery, leading to resistance among American settlers.

• Texas declared independence in 1836 under Sam Houston's leadership after revolting against Mexico.

• The Battle of the Alamo (1836), though resulting in a Mexican victory, became a rallying cry for Texan independence, culminating in their securing of freedom.

Mexican Response:

• Mexico refused to recognize Texas' independence, complicating attempts for Texas to join the U.S.

Presidential Stance:

• Presidents Jackson and Van Buren both declined annexation due to the fear of provoking war with Mexico.

• President John Tyler made efforts to admit Texas but faced opposition in the Senate, delaying annexation until Polk’s presidency.

Oregon Territory

Competing Claims:

• The British claimed the territory due to established fur trade routes and settlement in the area.

• Conversely, Americans pointed to significant settlement by farmers and missionaries in the region.

Resolution Under Polk:

• Polk’s election led to annexation efforts of both Texas and Oregon, stirring national debates on expansion.

• An agreement with Britain divided the Oregon Territory at the 49th parallel, resolving tensions and fulfilling part of the manifest destiny ideology.

Conclusion

Implications:

• The annexation of Texas and the resolution regarding Oregon set the stage for future conflicts, particularly the impending war with Mexico, which would become a pivotal moment in American history.

Next Steps:

• Future explorations will cover the consequences of these expansionist policies, the resulting conflicts, and the long-term impact on American society and its interaction with indigenous populations.