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"From 1820 to 1860, the concept of Manifest Destiny
played a major role in American politics."
Using your knowledge and the following documents,
assess the validity of this statement.
DOCUMENT A
In this late 1872 evocation of the spirit of Manifest Destiny, Indians retreat
westward as white settlers, guided by a diaphanously-clad America, spread
the benefits of American civilization.
Source: Courtesy of the Library of Congress
DOCUMENT B
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The Oregon Controversy, 1846
Source: The American Pageant
Houghton Mifflin Company, 1998
DOCUMENT C
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Major Campaigns of the Mexican War
Source: The American Pageant
Houghton Mifflin Company, 1998
DOCUMENT D
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Thousands of pioneers like these pulling away from St. Louis said farewell to civilization
as they left the Mississippi River and headed across the untracked plains to Oregon in
the 1840's.
Source: St. Louis in 1846, by Henry Lewis
St. Louis Art Museum, Eliza McMillan Purchase Fund
DOCUMENT E
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This romantic tribute to the spirit of Manifest Destiny was commissioned by Congress in
1860 and may still be seen in the Capitol.
Source: National Museum of American Art, Washington D.C./Art Resource, NY
DOCUMENT F
After twenty-five years, the American population has begun to extend
itself to the Oregon. Some hundreds went a few years ago; a thousand
went last year; two thousand are now setting out from the frontier of
Missouri; tens of thousands are meditating the adventure. I say to them
all, Go on! the Government will follow you, and will give protection and
land....
Let the emigrants go on, and carry their rifles. We want thirty thousand
rifles in the valley of the Oregon; they will make all quiet there, in the
event of a war with Great Britain for the domination of that country. Thirty
thousand rifles on the Oregon will annihilate the Hudson Bay Company,
drive them off our continent, quiet their Indians, and protect the American
interests in all the vast region of the Rocky Mountains. Besides... the
settlers in Oregon will also recover and open for us the North American
road to India!
Source: Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri,
Speech in the U.S. Senate, 1844
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DOCUMENT G
None can fail to see the danger to our safety and future peace if Texas
remains an independent state, or becomes an ally or dependency of
some foreign nation more powerful than herself. Is there one among our
citizens who would not prefer perpetual peace with Texas to occasional
wars, which often occur between bordering independent nations? Is there
one who would not prefer free intercourse with her, to high duties on all
our products and manufactures which enter her ports or cross her
frontiers? Is there one who would not prefer an unrestricted
communication with her citizens, to the frontier obstructions which must
occur is she remains out of the Union?
Source: President James Polk,
Inaugural Address, 1845
DOCUMENT H
I proceed now to a consideration of what is to me the strongest argument
against annexing Texas to the United States. This measure will extend
and perpetuate slavery....
As far back as the year 1829, the annexation of Texas was agitated in
the Southern and Western States; and it was urged on the ground of the
strength and extension it would give to the slaveholding interest....The
great argument for annexing Texas is, that it will strengthen "the peculiar
institution" of the South, and open a new and vast field for slavery...
By this act, slavery will be perpetuated in the old States as well as spread
over new. It is well known, that the soil of some of the slave breeding and
slave selling that these states subsist....By annexing Texas, we shall not
only create [slavery] where it does not exist, but breathe new life into it,
where its end seemed to be near. States, which might and ought to throw
it off, will make the multiplication of slaves their great aim and chief
resource.
Source: Reverend William Ellery Channing
A Letter to Hon. Henry Clay, 1837
DOCUMENT I
In the discussion to which this interest has given rise and in the
arrangements by which they may terminate, the occasion has been
judged proper for asserting, as a principle in which the rights and
interests of the Unites States are involved, that the American continents,
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by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and
maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future
colonization by any European power.
We owe it, therefore, to candor and to the amicable relations existing
between the United States and those powers to declare that we should
consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of
this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety. With the existing
colonies or dependencies of any European power we have not interfered
and shall not interfere. But with the Governments who have declared
their independence and maintained it, and whose dependence we have,
on great consideration and on just principles, acknowledged, we could
not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or
controlling in any manner their destiny, by any European power in any
other light than as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward
the United States....
Source: The Monroe Doctrine (1823)
James Monroe
ESSAY
“From 1820 to 1860, the concept of Manifest Destiny played a major
role in American politics”
Using your knowledge of the time period and the following
documents, assess the validity of this statement.
Manifest Destiny was a crucial concept in American politics from
1820 to 1860 that strongly influenced presidential elections, territorial
acquisitions, and legislative policies. Manifest Destiny and all of the
issues associated with the idea signaled a significant movement in
America. The United States political arena would be driven by this
concept for over forty years.
The presidential election of 1844 was considered in America to
be the “Manifest Destiny” election. Manifest Destiny was a term coined in
1845 by John L. O’Sullivan which insinuates that Americans were
destined to spread their wisdom and ways all over the North American
continent (Doc. A). Expansionist, Democrat, and “dark horse” candidate,
James K. Polk, won the election against Whig candidate, Henry Clay.
This victory seemed to mandate the concept of Manifest Destiny. The
next Election of 1848 brought forth the nomination of Whig, Zachary
Taylor. He was the “Hero of Buena Vista” and had never held civil office
or even voted for president.Taylor’s election showed how Americans
favored presidents who advocated westward expansion. The Democrats
nominated General Lewis Cass, a veteran of the War of 1812. Zachary
Taylor managed to win the presidency with 163 electoral votes compared
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to Cass’s 127 electoral votes.
Many territorial acquisitions were made during the mid-1800’s.
During James K. Polk’s administration he dealt with two main points, the
Oregon controversy and the Mexican War. The Oregon controversy
refers to the northern boundary of Oregon, which Americans felt should
be the 54 40’ line and Britains felt should be the Columbia River (Doc. B).
Shouts of “54° 40’ or Fight” could be heard in America from
expansionists, who wanted more trade routes and protection of American
interests in this region (Doc. F). Polk, hoping to avoid a clash with Britain,
offered the 49th parallel as a compromise. In 1846, Britain accepted
Polk’s proposal and it appeared that the mandate for Manifest Destiny
was being carried out. President Polk continued to seek a solution for the
Mexican dispute. He simply wanted possession of California, but due to
poor negotiations, the U.S. will be drawn into a full-scale war. The
Mexican-American War was fought from 1846-1848 and included many
significant battles and key figures (Doc. C). The war ended with the
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and its terms involved the confirmation of
the American title to Texas, vast land in the west, and coveted California.
With all the disputes over Texas’ borders being laid to rest and its being
officially apart of the United States, all danger to “our safety and national
peace” was diminished (Doc. G). The great expanse of land included in
the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was about one-half of Mexico. The
United States agreed to pay $15 million for the land and assume the
claims against Mexico in the amount of $3,250,000. Another acquisition
for America included the Maine Boundary settlement. Ugly disputes
erupted between Canadians and Americans and were referred to as the
Aroostook War. The Webster-Ashburton treaty in 1842 was a
compromise between the two nations and said that the United States
was to retain 7,000 square miles of the 12,000 miles in dispute.
America’s newly gained territories and relatively inexperienced
presidents of this time led to the burning question of domestic policy in
the new land. In 1846, the Wilmot Proviso, which prohibited slavery in
any territory acquired in the Mexican War, passed the House of
Representatives. This Proviso threatened to disrupt both the Whigs and
Democrats, making politics even more sectional. The Ostend Manifesto
in 1854 was also a very controversial subject in the realm of American
politics. Franklin Pierce, the president of the U.S., was urged by
supporters of the Manifesto to pay $120 million for Cuba. Public outcry
from an anti-imperialist group led to a period of disruption in American
politics.
Manifest Destiny was a crucial concept in the political aspect of
American society that had a definite impact on presidential elections,
territorial gains, and legislative policies. The idea of Manifest Destiny was
fulfilled with the final acquisitions of the 1850’s and America had taken
her place on the world stage.
DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
Doc A
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What is Manifest Destiny?
John L. O’Sullivan
Doc B
Explain Oregon Controversy
Americans need to gain more land in west
49th parallel—President Polk
Doc C
Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
Battles, key figures
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Doc D
Americans thirst for adventure and opportunities in the west
An example you could throw in paper if you are totally lost
Doc E
Commissioned by Congress in 1860
Shows political arena is involved with Manifest Destiny
Still on display in the Capitol
Doc F
Speech by Senator
Shows how many people migrated to Oregon and how
government will follow and protect their rights
Tells how occupation to Oregon might open the road to India
Doc G
President Polk illustrates Texas’ danger to America if it remains
independent
Sets the stage for the Mexican-American War
Annexation of Texas
Doc H
Addresses the issue of slavery in newly acquired territories,
specifically Texas
Wilmot Proviso
Missouri Compromise, Compromise of 1850, Kansas-Nebraska
Act (1854)
Doc I
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Monroe Doctrine—1823
America will fight for what we see as our land
No colonization of America by other countries
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