5.2 The Idea of Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny- the popular belief that the United States had a divine mission to extend its power and civilization across the breadth of North America

Conflicts Over Texas, Maine, and Oregon

• Texas

  • After winning independence from Spain, Mexico hoped to gain settlers

  • 300 families were brought to texas

  • By 1830 Americans (black and white) outnumbered Mexicans in Texas by 3 to 1

  • Tension began to rise between Americans and Mexicans when Mexico outlawed slavery and required all immigrants to convert to Roman Catholicism

  • After settlers refused to obey these laws Mexico closed Texas to additional American immigrants.

  • After Mexico was consumed by a dictatorship a group of American settlers revolted and declared Texas an independent republic in 1836

  • Some people worked to have Texas annexed, but the U.S. Senate rejected the treaties.

• Boundary Disputes in Maine