Westward Expansion

Why move west?

Manifest Destiny
Manifest- obvious
Destiny- a predetermined set of events

1)
2)
Americans as the chosen people of God.
Obligation to spread their virtues.
Idea of natural boundaries. Ocean to ocean
A Century of Expansion
The Realization of
America’s Destiny: 1763-1867
Before Independence

Colonial expansion
restricted by the
Proclamation Line of
1763
Gains of the
Revolutionary
War
Treaty of Paris 1783
 Border expanded
west to the
Mississippi River
 With it, people
expanded, Canals
and roads led way

The Louisiana Purchase

In 1803 President Jefferson just wanted New Orleans.

Sec. of State Madison got all 900,000 acres for $15 million.
What did we just buy?


Lewis & Clark
expedition
reaches the
Pacific Ocean
Sent to explore:
Native Tribes
Natural
Resources
3. Climate/Map
4. Find Water
Route to Pac.
1.
2.
Florida
Spain - weakened and
distracted by revolution
 Seminole Indians rise
up against settlers



General Andrew Jackson
invades, then stays
Transcontinental Treaty
(Adams-Onis) 1819
Don’t Mess with Texas:
Independence & Annexation

Texas War for
Independence
1836…
Remember the
Alamo?!

Annexation of
Texas: 1845
Manifest Destiny
Mexican-American
War: 1846-8
President Polk
The Donner Party
California Gold
Rush
The Treaty of
Guadalupe
Hidalgo
Oregon Country:

American
interest grows
after Lewis &
Clark expedition

Disputed
ownership w/
Britain

“54-40 or fight”

Settled w/
treaty border at
the 49th parallel
Gadsden
Purchase
• Last puzzle piece to
reach manifest destiny
in 1854
•Purchased from Mexico
for 10 mil. In order to
build rail line
What were the debates related to these land
acquisitions? Questions of conquest….
Slave or free?
Native Removal?
Mexican segregation and discrimination?
Progress by imperialism?