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    The U.S. justified Westward expansion between 1815-1860 through the ideology of Manifest Destiny, which was based on the belief that Americans had a God-given mission to spread their institutions and remake the world in America's image. This period saw nationalism rise after the War of 1812 and the Jacksonian era empowered expansionist sentiments. Texas independence from Mexico in 1836 and its annexation in 1845 marked the beginning of U.S. acquisition of western lands through both diplomatic negotiations and war with Mexico. Political debates emerged over expansion, with Democrats generally supporting and Whigs opposing the spread of slavery into new territories.

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    The U.S. justified Westward expansion between 1815-1860 through the ideology of Manifest Destiny, which was based on the belief that Americans had a God-given mission to spread their institutions and remake the world in America's image. This period saw nationalism rise after the War of 1812 and the Jacksonian era empowered expansionist sentiments. Texas independence from Mexico in 1836 and its annexation in 1845 marked the beginning of U.S. acquisition of western lands through both diplomatic negotiations and war with Mexico. Political debates emerged over expansion, with Democrats generally supporting and Whigs opposing the spread of slavery into new territories.

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    3K views11 pages

    Manifestdestiny

    Uploaded by

    api-263038792
    The U.S. justified Westward expansion between 1815-1860 through the ideology of Manifest Destiny, which was based on the belief that Americans had a God-given mission to spread their institutions and remake the world in America's image. This period saw nationalism rise after the War of 1812 and the Jacksonian era empowered expansionist sentiments. Texas independence from Mexico in 1836 and its annexation in 1845 marked the beginning of U.S. acquisition of western lands through both diplomatic negotiations and war with Mexico. Political debates emerged over expansion, with Democrats generally supporting and Whigs opposing the spread of slavery into new territories.

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    of 11

    How did the U.S.

    justify Westward
    expansion between 1815 and 1860?

    American Progress by John Gast, 1872

    Era of Manifest Destiny (1840s &50s)


    Enthusiasm for expansion based on belief in:
    1. Virtue of American people and their institutions
    2. God-given mission to spread these institutions,
    remaking the world in the image of US
    3. Fueled by racial arrogance
    [It is our] manifest destiny to overspread and possess the whole of the continent which Providence has
    given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federative development of selfgovernment entrusted to us. It is a right such as that of the tree to the space of air and the earth suitable for
    the full expansion of its principle and destiny of growth - John OSullivan, 1845 newspaper article

    Why Now?
    Post-War of 1812 nationalism
    empowerment of the Jacksonian democratic era
    Second Great Awakening and affiliated reform
    movements (fed beliefs of cultural superiority)
    BUT ULTIMATELY, Economic and National
    Security Interests - ie. exhaustion of good lands,
    Panic of 1837

    Texas The Lone Star Republic

    US settlement increased after


    Mexican Revolution (1821)
    Moral/cultural conflicts b/w Tejanos (US
    settlers) and Mexicans over slavery and
    religion
    Tejanos gain independence in 1836 (after first
    being defeated at the Alamo),
    Texans force Gen. Santa Ana to sign Treaties
    of Velasco, setting TX border at Rio Grande
    and recognizing TX independence

    Treaties of
    Velasco set
    border of
    US/Mexico
    at the Rio
    Grande

    Political Divisions over Expansion


    1844 election
    Democratic candidate James K. Polk supported

    expansionist plans, ie. annex. of TX and OR (supported


    by planters and some freesoilers)
    Campaign slogan: 54-40 or Fight!

    Political Divisions over Expansion


    Whig candidate Henry Clay cautioned about war
    with Mexico or Britain; feared the spread of
    slavery
    Liberty Party (3rd party)
    candidate James G.
    Birney - supported by
    abolitionists and freesoilers

    After Polks victory


    1845 - Pres. Tyler
    annexed Texas
    1846 - Polk negotiated
    with Britain to set
    boundary of
    Oregon/Britain at
    49th parallel

    The Oregon
    Territory
    (modern day
    Oregon,
    Washington,
    parts of Idaho,
    and Wyoming)

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