Manifest Destiny: The Louisiana Purchase and Florida Acquisition

Introduction to Manifest Destiny

• Definition and Origin: The term "Manifest Destiny" was established by the journalist John L. O'Sullivan. He used the phrase to describe the prevailing sentiment that the United States was divinely or inherently meant to expand its territory across the entire North American continent.

• Core Ideology: The movement was defined by the goal of spreading American democracy, progress, and the "Eastern" way of life from the Atlantic coast all the way to the Pacific coast.

• Temporal Context: While the United States was primarily an Atlantic Coast nation in the year $1800$, this ideology intensified significantly throughout the $19^{\text{th}}$ century, driving the addition of new states and expansion toward and beyond the Mississippi River.

The Louisiana Purchase of $1803$

• Geographic and Economic Importance: As the nation expanded westward toward the Mississippi River, waterways became vital for commerce. These rivers were the primary means of transporting goods from the interior frontier to the coastal markets. The Mississippi River was the most critical of these, as it transverses the continent from North to South.

• The New Orleans Port: The Jeffersonian administration and many others feared that if a foreign power controlled New Orleans—located at the mouth of the Mississippi River—they could restrict American access. Though the U.S. had previously negotiated rights to use the port, these rights were not guaranteed, posing a risk to the national economy and trade.

• Initial Negotiations: President Thomas Jefferson sent members of his administration to France to negotiate the purchase of New Orleans specifically. The U.S. intended to spend approximately $\$8,000,000$ to $\$10,000,000$ to secure the port and ensure access to the river.

• The Haitian Factor: France, under Napoleon, had originally kept the Louisiana territory in hopes of revitalizing a North American empire. However, in $1803$, a massive slave rebellion in Haiti—one of France's most profitable sugar colonies—succeeded. The slaves won their independence and established the first black republic in the Western Hemisphere.

• Napoleon’s Decision: Following the loss of Haiti and the escalation of war with England, Napoleon decided to abandon his North American ambitions. He reportedly stated, "…damn sugar, damn slaves, and damn the North American empire."

• The Transaction: Napoleon offered to sell the entire Louisiana territory to the United States for $\$15,000,000$. Jefferson agreed to the purchase, which effectively doubled the size of the United States.

• Opposition and Controversy:

  • Financial Concerns: At the time, $\$15,000,000$ was an immense sum, and Jefferson’s political movement was generally opposed to incurring national debt.

  • Constitutional Issues: The Jeffersonians were strict constructionists. The Constitution did not explicitly grant the President the power to purchase land from foreign nations and annex it to the U.S.

  • Justification: Despite these concerns, the opportunity was viewed as too beneficial to pass up. Jefferson believed the West was essential for American growth, power, and prosperity.

The Acquisition of Florida and the Adams-Ons Treaty

• Early Conflict and Justification: Spanish Florida presented several problems for the U.S. during the early $19^{\text{th}}$ century:

  • Seminole Indian raids were being launched into Georgia from Spanish territory.

  • Enslaved individuals from Georgia and South Carolina frequently escaped into Florida, seeking refuge among Native American tribes.

• Andrew Jackson’s Military Action ($1818$): President James Monroe authorized Andrew Jackson to end the Seminole raids. Jackson, known for his aggressive and independent nature, defeated the Seminoles but went further by seizing Spanish forts and executing $2$ British citizens who were accused of aiding the native raids.

• International Crisis and Political Friction: Jackson's actions created a diplomatic crisis. Within Monroe's administration, there were calls to reprimand Jackson or apologize to Spain. John C. Calhoun was one of the loudest voices advocating for Jackson's punishment, a fact that later caused significant personal and political friction between Jackson and Calhoun.

• Diplomatic Resolution: John Quincy Adams, serving as Monroe's Secretary of State, recognized that the crisis proved Spain was too weak to defend Florida or go to war with the United States. He used this leverage to negotiate the purchase of the territory.

• The Adams-Ons Treaty ($1819$):

  • The United States purchased Florida from Spain.

  • The U.S. government agreed to assume and pay the financial claims (roughly $\$5,000,000$) that Georgia farmers had made against Spain for damages caused by raids.

  • The Texas Clause: As part of the agreement, the United States promised Spain that it would never attempt to take over or annex Texas. (Note: The lecture indicates that while this promise was made in $1819$, future events involving the acquisition of Texas would require further explanation in subsequent discussions).