Manifest Destiny Obvious Fate It is Americas manifest

Manifest Destiny: Obvious Fate It is America’s “manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent…the God of nature and nations has marked [the land beyond the Rocky Mountains] for our own. ” -John O’Sullivan, New York newspaperman, 1845 How will we grow? • Treaties • Settlement • War

The Louisiana Purchase • Acquired through diplomacy • President Jefferson sent James Monroe to France with the offer of $7. 5 million for New Orleans • France offered to sell the entire territory for $15 million • Doubled the size of the country

Florida • Land owned by Spain • Populated by: Seminole Native Americans, Spanish colonists, English traders, and runaway slaves • Seminole Wars- led by Andrew Jackson • Spain struggled to govern their land eventually agreed to sell the land for $5 million

Our Eyes Fall Upon Texas. . . Why?

Moses Austin • Banker and Businessman • Had a dream of establishing an American Colony in Spanish Texas • Was granted large track of land permission to bring up to 300 families in early 1821 • Just after finalizing the deal Moses died suddenly, his son Stephen took over.

Stephen Austin and the “Old Three Hundred” Austin arrived just after Mexico declared independence from Spain Mexican officials agreed to honor the previous agreement, IF… • Only moral & hardworking settlers • Settlers had to become Mexican citizens • Settlers had to join the Catholic Church By 1827 Austin attracted 297 families to Texas that become known as the “Old Three Hundred” The success of Austin’s colony caught the attention of many American’s and led to wave of new settlers

Rising Tensions By 1830 25, 000 Americans were in Texas vs. 4, 000 Tejanos (Texans of Mexican decent) American Complaints Tejanos Complaints • Did not like being governed (used to • Unhappy that many American governing themselves) settlers came to Texas illegally • All documents in Spanish • Most settlers showed little respect • Many settlers were slaveholders for Mexican culture who were upset when Mexico • Most settlers had no intention of outlawed slavery in 1829. becoming Mexican citizens Mexican government closed Texas to American immigrants. The Mexican government sent troops to enforce the new policy.

Rebellion Following the Mexican government closing Texas to American immigrants, many Americans became angry… Some called for revolution, others wanted to negotiate with the Mexican government. Stephen Austin led negotiations in 1833, asking for: 1. Mexican government to reopen Texas to immigration 2. Make Texas a separate state 3. Allow Texans to run their own affairs Leader of the Mexican government was General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna • Power-hungry • Dictator • “If I were God, I would wish to be more. ” Santa Anna imprisoned Austin for promoting rebellion (Austin was in jail from 1833 -1835)

The Battle at the Alamo February 23 - March 6, 1836 Alamo = abandoned mission near San Antonio Approximately 180 United States volunteer militia vs. 6, 000 Mexican troops

“Victory or Death!” • United States troops barricade themselves in the Alamo • Santa Anna’s Troops surround the Alamo: “Expect no mercy” • Texans held tight and pled for reinforcements vowing “Victory or death!” • 12 day standoff • Finally, March 6 th, Santa Anna orders troops to storm the fort • 90 minute battle: vicious and very bloody • All 180 Texan troops died (Santa Anna ordered all survivors of battle to be executed immediately) • Decision to kill every man enraged Texans Famous Faces Davy Crocket: Former Tennessee congressman and frontiersmen Colonel James Bowie: Texas “freedom fighter” William Travis: Texas lawyer and early rebellion leader

“Remember the Alamo!”: The Battle of San Jacinto • Led by Sam Houston • Retreated eastward, trying to deplete Santa Anna’s supplies • Santa Anna expected Texans to attack at dawn- kept troops awake all night • Tired, the Mexicans relaxed and Santa Anna took a nap • Late afternoon Texans launched a surprise attack, shouting “Remember the Alamo!” as they charged. • Mexican camp was overrun • Santa Anna fled-captured the next day • Santa Anna freedom = all Mexican troops ordered out of Texas TEXAS WINS INDEPENDENCE!

To Annex Texas or Not? Texas spent 10 years as an independent country: the “Lone Star Republic” For Annexation • Texans • Southerners (new slave state) • James K. Polk: Manifest Destiny Against Annexation • Northerners • Henry Clay: “Annexation and war with Mexico are identical” James K. Polk wins the presidency in the election of 1844 Congress votes to annex Texas 1845: Texas is admitted as the 28 th state