Manifest Destiny U S Mexican War Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny: U. S. Mexican War

Manifest Destiny Defined w Term first coined by John L. O’Sullivan in Democratic Review, July 1845 w Ideological basis for belief: – Sincere belief in democracy and republicanism – Idealized view of U. S. as model for others w Ideology intertwined with racist and imperialistic ideas about Indians and Mexicans

Concrete Reasons for Manifest Destiny w Americans tempted by “free” land – U. S. stopped at Mississippi – Knew of California and Oregon w Develop trade with Far East – Pacific Coast to Far East – need base – Jealous of Mexico’s success w Fear of Foreign Invasion – British Claims to Oregon; Mexico in south

Five Examples of early U. S. Ideology w Florida and the Seminole War - 1818 – Jackson “conquers” territory from Spain w Adams-Onis Treaty – 1819 w Texas Revolution – Discuss Tuesday w New Mexico and the Santa Fe Trail w Oregon: 1818 agree with Britain to leave it Free and open, but by 1840 s U. S. changes policy

Texas Independence w Texans again defeated at Battle of Goliad w March 1, 1836 declared Independence – Elected Sam Houston as President w Houston’s troops attacked Santa Ana at San Jacinto in April 1836. Routed Santa Ana. w Under duress, Santa Ana signs Treaty of Velasco w Mexican government repudiated treaty and never recognized Texas Independence

U. S. Annexation of Texas w Houston and Texas immediately ask for annexation by U. S. w Northern liberals oppose because they fear spread of slavery. w Texas remains independent nation until March 1, 1845. w Mexico sees annexation as a declaration of War and diplomatically leaves Washington

4 Factors leading to U. S. /Mexican War w Mexican anger over annexation of Texas w Dispute over Texas/Mexican border – Nueces River or Rio Grande w Instability of Mexican government – 19 governments in 25 years w Polk Administration’s drive to expand U. S. – Polk saw his mandate as creating a coast-tocoast nation

Diplomatic Prelude to War w 1845 Polk sends Zachary Taylor to Corpus Christi. Encamped on Nueces River w Sends John Slidell to negotiate. He offers: – $5 million for New Mexico west of Rio Grande – $25 million for California w Strong anti-U. S. sentiment meant that Mexico would not accept offer w March 1846 Taylor crossed Nueces and war begins

Aftermath of Battle w U. S. troops waiting in Mexico City. A war defense became a war of Conquest w If it was U. S. manifest destiny to conquer land, were they also to conquer people? w Three barriers to the “All Mexico” plan – Northern liberals hated conquest – Slavery question – Racism – could the U. S. really incorporate all the 8 million Mexican and Indians?

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo w Annexed half of Mexico to the U. S. (San Antonio) w Created Rio Grande as international border w U. S. Paid $15 million to Mexico for territory. w 1848 irony. Mexicans hear of Gold Rush in California and Treaty on same day w In 1854 Gadsden Purchase solidifies southern boundary and mineral deposits to U. S.

An Ode to Mexico Write an ode to Mexico w Loss of land in US Mexican War w Use specific details w 8 -12 lines w 1 st and last line must be the same