12/10/2014
WESTWARD EXPANSION AND
MANIFEST DESTINY
(Developing the Interior)
INDIANS FIRST EXPLOITED WEST
Indian nations exploited various
ecologies of the west.
Extensive trading.
Moved about the area.
Took advantage of European goods
and horses to expand.
John Jacob Astor, Auguste Chouteau,
etc. joined existing trade empires.
RENDEZVOUS SITES
AMERICA LOOKED WESTWARD
Throughout antebellum era Americans looked westward (to the interior).
Place of opportunity
Some wanted to cash in on cotton prices or get farms.
Some fled economic panics.
New Englanders had special issues.
Less available land to divide among family members.
Sheep craze caused loss of small farms.
New transportation system promoted.
Most migrants westward went in community groups.
Concept of “Manifest Destiny” widely accepted.
Much confusion about the west (the interior).
Considered a great desert by many.
Land of opportunity to adventurers and speculators.
Pike expedition emphasized the desert idea.
Lewis and Clark emphasized the opportunity.
Common view—land unoccupied and ready to take.
Spanish allowed development leaders to bring Americans into large area.
FUR TRAPPERS AND MOUNTAIN MEN
Kit Carson, Jeremiah Johnson, Jim
Beckwourth opened large fur
trade.
Wm. Henry Ashley began rendezvous
system—1825.
Trappers hunted all year in own
territory.
Met once a year to rendezvous.
Very successful:
Nearly wiped out beaver.
Ended with fad for fur hats.
FUR TRADERS BECAME EARLY SETTLERS
Changes in 1830s and 1840s)
As fur business declined many
trappers became settlers.
Capitalists began to finance
settlements, banks, mills, etc.
Speculators moved onto land early.
Gold and silver attracted more
adventurers.
Developers concentrated on land near
transportation routes.
1
12/10/2014
MISSIONARIES PROMOTED MIGRATION
SPALDING MISSION REMAINS, circa 1900.
Located 110 miles east of Whitman on Lapwai Creek.
In the Nez Percé country.
Missionaries promoted settlement of Pacific Northwest.
Welcomed and invited by Indians.
Calls for settlement appeared in religious newspapers.
Zeal of 2 nd Great Awakening prompted many to go.
REV. SAMUEL PARKER
WHITMAN HOME SITE, RUSHVILLE, NY.
Original Home Demolished.
Congregational Missionary to Oregon
and Recruiter of Missionaries
54 years old and father of three.
ABCFM denied missionary application
so he moved to Ithaca.
1834 Parker aroused the Ithaca
Presbyterian Church.
Appointed to go to Oregon to select
mission sites and recruit
missionaries.
Recruited Marcus Whitman.
Inspired Narcissa Prentiss.
Birthplace of Marcus Whitman, Main St., Rushville, NY
Home now demolished.
NARCISSA PRENTISS AND MARCUS WHITMAN, circa 1836
There is no known lifetime picture of either person.
2
12/10/2014
OREGON TRAIL
Opened by the Whitman party.
From Idaho to Washington much of the journey was made with twowheeled carts since four-wheeled wagons couldn’t use the trail.
Took up to 6 Months!
WHITMAN-SPALDING MONUMENT. SOUTH PASS, WY
Inscribed by Capt. H. G. Nickerson, Wyoming Oregon Trail Commission,
1916.
STATUE OF WHITMAN
by Dr. Avard Fairbanks
Placed in Statuary Hall, US Capitol, 1953
WHITMAN MISSION (WAIILATPU)
Located on the Walla Walla River.
OREGON SETTLEMENTS UNIQUE IN MANY WAYS
Oregon settlement somewhat like Old
NW.
Indians of Oregon country had not
practiced agriculture.
Indians still lived there and
outnumbered whites for while.
Not many Indian-White problems for
long time.
Indians actually helped settlers.
Caused missionary rush 1830s.
1847 Whitman massacre led for
calls to evict Indians.
Yankee dominated settlements had
shorter but more sober religious
revivals.
MORMONS SETTLED UTAH 1847
Mormons one of first US groups to
settle in Great Basin area--1847
Led to Utah area by Brigham Young.
Had previously moved to:
Kirtland, Ohio
Nauvoo, ILL
Found persecution in each place
based on beliefs.
One of best known radical beliefs was
polygamy—not widespread.
Wanted to be beyond US meddling.
Planned to create Mormon state of
Deseret.
Became Utah Territory after Mexican
War 1848.
3
12/10/2014
MORMONS MOVED TO SALT LAKE 1847
Promoted Western Settlement for Religious Independence
MORMON COMMUNITIES UNIQUE
Extreme physical environment of
Great Basin called for tight control
to survive.
Mormon communities uniquely suited.
Land assigned by church according to
need and ability.
Church dominated gov. required
support according to grant.
Cooperation among settlers rigidly
controlled.
Strangers not well accepted by
Mormons in Utah.
Church prevented much violence
against Indians.
Did want Indians to adopt white
ways.
Brigham Young led large Mormon
community from Nauvoo to Iowa,
then Salt Lake.
Organized expedition
Built roads and bridges.
Wanted to be far from US civilization.
Brigham Young of Mendon, NY
CALIFORNIA SETTLEMENTS UNIQUE IN MANY WAYS
Much Spanish impact on California
and SW.
Physical environment harsh.
Spanish colonized the area late.
Many Catholic missions established.
Promoted settlement like Spain.
Indians provided largely forced
labor.
“Californios” got great power.
Bought former mission land.
Exerted independence from
Mexico.
Americans welcomed at first.
Suspicion later.
OTHER SPANISH SETTLEMENTS UNIQUE
Spanish-American interaction more
harmonious in other areas of SW.
Inter-racial Inter-national elite class
developed in business in Santa Fe.
Santa Fe Trail opened commerce to
St. Louis.
Americans encouraged to move into
Texas at first.
Mexico saw Americans as buffer with
Indians.
Tensions arose as population grew.
“MANIFEST DESTINY”
One of the most controversial ideas in American History.
Brought “religion” into politics
Justified racism and aggression
Effective partisan argument at times
Still widely accepted
Not given a name until 1845.
Articulated by many as early as 1820s.
Reflected the evangelical zeal of the 2 nd Great Awakening.
Many missionary groups promoted the idea.
Expressed a common belief in antebellum America.
Source of political rancor at the time and since.
4
12/10/2014
JOHN L. O’SULLIVAN
Probable originator of “Manifest Destiny” 1839
“American Progress”
John Gast, 1872
“Westward the Course of Empire”
Emanuel Leutze, 1861
EXPANSION FACED PROBLEMS IN ANTEBELLUM ERA
Other nations had claims to west and north—chiefly Britain
Maine boundary dispute nearly came to war with British Canada over
lumbering--1838.
Spain, Russia, France, Britain, US—all claimed Oregon until 1820s.
Britain and US could not agree on Oregon boundary
US settlers’ attempt at self-rule opposed by British
Join occupation 1818.
After 1827—joint occupation for indefinite duration
US missionaries encourage US occupation and US rule.
US settlers promoted independence for Oregon after 1843
Lobbied US officials
Held convention and wrote a code of laws--1843.
OREGON JOINTLY OCCUPIED AFTER 1818
TEXAS A PROBLEM STARTING IN 1820s
A province of Mexico after Mexican independence in 1821.
Americans invited to settle in Texas and southwest.
Many Mexican residents wanted to participate in US economy (cotton, etc.).
Americans ignored Mexican laws and customs.
Did not want to support of Catholic church
Failed to pay Mexican taxes.
Ignored Mexican policy prohibiting importing slaves.
Mexican government was corrupt and distant.
5
12/10/2014
TEXAS
TEXAS A REAL PROBLEM AFTER 1833.
Stephen Austin went to Mexico City to settle problems.
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna seized power in Mexico in 1833.
Santa Anna made himself a military dictator.
Would not compromise with Mexican reformers
Made clear that he intended to rule Texas and Americans there.
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN
GEN. SANTA ANNA
CREATION OF “AMERICAN” GOVERNMENT FOR TEXAS
BROUGHT WAR.
DAVID CROCKETT
One-Time Congressman from Tennessee
Died at the Alamo
1835 Austin calls for “consultation” [convention].
Austin stated that “War is our only recourse.”
Mexican government sent troops to San Antonio
Austin and provisional Texas government raised volunteer troops.
Local skirmishes follow 1835.
Texas provisional government adopted Mexican suspended constitution.
Santa Anna went to San Antonio to personally lead his army 1836
Defeated Texans is “the Alamo”
“Remember the Alamo”
6
12/10/2014
THE ALAMO (SAN ANTONIO, TX)
REPUBLIC OF TEXAS
Mar. 1836—Republic of Texas declared.
Sam Houston—commander of Texas army.
David Burnet—1st president.
Lorenzo de Zavala—Vice President and author of Texas Constitution
Santa Anna finally defeated at San Jacinto.
Treaty of Velasco—recognized Texas independence
Rio Grande River set as southern boundary.
Santa Anna deposed as president of Mexico and treaty repudiated by
Mexico.
1838—Houston asks US to annex Texas.
Potentially slave territory—abolitionists oppose annexation and
Congress refuses.
SURRENDER OF SANTA ANNA
SAM HOUSTON
Commander of Texas Forces
LORENZO DE ZAVALA
Author of Texas Constitution
TEXAS CONTINUED TO BE A PROBLEM AFTER 1836
Mexico continued to consider Texas as one of its provinces.
Mexico feared that the Texas revolt would spark other revolts.
Already one in New Mexico, 1837.
Much unrest in California
The Mexican government severed diplomatic relations with US.
President Polk made public statements advocating annexation of entire SW.
7
12/10/2014
POLITICS OF “MANIFEST DESTINY”
John Tyler an expansionist.
Tyler directed Daniel Webster to conclude
1842 “Webster-Ashburton Treaty”
US got much of disputed Maine territory
Established boundary with Canada in NE
POLITICS OF “MANIFEST DESTINY”
Tyler took actions aimed to securing Oregon to US
Tyler promoted annexation of Texas.
Sec. of State Webster shared Northern fear of Texas as slave territory.
1843—Tyler’s cabinet resigned
Tyler appointed new Sec. of State (Abel Upshur) favorable to Texas
annexation.
Treaty of Texas annexation written 1844—Senate voted it down.
Expansion became issue in Presidential election 1844.
ELECTION OF 1844
ELECTIION OF 1844
Key issue—expansion.
Martin Van Buren (Dem.) and Henry Clay (Whig) opposed to Texas annexation.
Van Buren opposed slavery; Clay opposed uncontrolled expansion.
Van Buren and Clay—would approve Texas annexation only with Mexico’s
consent.
Whigs nominated Clay over Tyler anyway.
Tyler (former Democrat) not a true supporter of other Whig ideas.
James K. Polk nominated by Democrats with Southern support.
Democrats campaigned on platform advocating annexation of Texas and
Oregon.
Democrats played up to “Manifest Destiny” sentiments of both North and
South.
Polk won a clear mandate for expansion.
RESULTS OF 1844 ELECTION
OREGON 1846
Tyler proposed a Texas annexation
resolution a month after the
election.
Polk asked Congress to end joint
occupation of Oregon in 1845.
Polk invoked Monroe Doctrine over
Oregon.
“54 40 or fight”—slogan for Oregon
settlement.
British offered to compromise over
Oregon—49th parallel--1846
James K. Polk
8
12/10/2014
OREGON & WASHINGTON TERRITORIES 1853
SLAVERY ISSUE LINKED TO EXPANSION
Slavery was a moral issue.
Slavery was also an economic issue.
People in North feared competition with slave labor.
“Free soil, free men, free labor” slogan
South often pointed to factory conditions.
Slavery “needed” for cotton plantations to succeed.
Compensation for slave owners always an issue.
Slavery was a political power issue in Congress.
Expansion would result in more slave states that
voted as a bloc.
Slave states tended to vote together on tax, trade,
and internal improvement issues.
POLK SOUGHT “PEACEFUL” SOLUTION TO TEXAS PROBLEM
POLK MADE FIRST WAR MOVES
Diplomats sent to Mexico City to offer purchase of NM and Calif.
Troops were sent to Louisiana in case of a problem.
Navy alerted to prepare for possible action in California.
Polk said US would support insurrections in Mexican territory.
Mexico was offended and refused diplomatic try.
Gen. Taylor sent from New Orleans
toward Rio Grande River.
Frémont entered California.
Mexican army defeated American
detachment at Matamoros.
Asked Congress to declare war, May
13, 1846
Gen. Zachary Taylor
US DIVIDED ON WAR WITH MEXICO
DAVID WILMOT
Congressman from Bradford County, Pennsylvania
Marker at Home in Towanda
Northeast—many protests—Thoreau best known
Many Northern leaders saw “oligarchy” controlling South.
“Wilmot Proviso” showed slavery-expansion split in nation.
Wilmot a Democrat from PA.
Wilmot proposed amendment to military bill—no slavery in new territory.
House of Rep. approved several times
Senate never approved (where all states equal)
Van Buren Democrats introduce proviso when Wilmot withdraws.
Calhoun defends slavery in new territories
Said new territory would belong to all.
Said prohibiting slavery would violate Constitutional protection of “life,
liberty and property.”
9
12/10/2014
WAR WITH MEXICO BREAKS OUT IN CALIFORNIA
June 1846 Frémont and Navy
support revolt in California.
“Bear Flag” republic set up by 33
Americans with Frémont help.
Navy seizes Monterey
Mexican forces retreat from
California.
WAR BREAKS OUT IN NEW MEXICO
May 1846, Stephen Kearny leads
American military force into New
Mexico.
Santa Fe surrendered peacefully.
Local residents want US control.
Stephen Kearny
John C. Frémont
GEN. ZACHARY TAYLOR ATTACKED FROM RIO GRANDE
Sep. 1846 attacked Monterrey,
Mexico.
Pres. Polk began to see Taylor as
political threat.
Undermined Taylor’s plans to
attack south.
Shifted support to Gen.
Winfield Scott.
CAMPAIGNS OF THE MEXICAN WAR
GEN. TAYLOR PROMOTED BY WHIGS DURING WAR.
Whig newspaper editor sent
English artist William G.
Brown to paint Taylor on site.
GEN. WINFIELD SCOTT ATTACKED MEXICO FROM GULF COAST
Landed at Tampico and took some of
Taylor’s forces
Headed to Vera Cruz
Attacked inland toward Mexico City
10
12/10/2014
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA A STRATEGIC VICTORY FOR US
GEN. SCOTT CAPTURED VERA CRUZ ON MAR. 9, 1847
Pres. Polk conspired to get
Santa Anna back into
Mexico from Cuban exile.
Santa Anna reneged on promise
to negotiate—attacked
Taylor’s forces
Feb. 1847—Battle of Buena
Vista—stalled Santa Anna’s
army
Freed Gen. Scott’s forces to
attack Mexico City.
GEN. SCOTT HAD PROBLEMS ATTACKING MEXICO CITY
SCOTT’S ASSAULT ON MEXICO CITY WAS LEGENDARY
Fortress of Chapultepec was Key to City.
Stalled three months for
reinforcements and supplies.
Much recruiting done by future Pres.
Franklin Pierce.
Scott lost about 1/3 of army when
short enlistments were up.
“CONTEMPORARY” PAINTINGS
Samuel Chamberlain watercolor done many years after the war.
Chamberlain only participated in Buena Vista battle.
EXECUTION OF THE SAN PATRICIO (ST. PATRICK) BATTALION
Irish immigrants had been enlisted
in US Army.
Mexico convinced large numbers of
them to desert and fight for
Mexico.
When they were captured they were
executed as Scott’s forces took
Chapultepec fortress.
An example of volatile issue of
Roman Catholicism
11
12/10/2014
GEN. SCOTT TOOK MEXICO CITY
TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO 1848
SEP. 13, 1847
Named for city where it was
signed in Mexico.
1. US paid Mexico $15 million.
Santa Anna’s government
collapsed again.
Mexico could not negotiate
because it had no effective
leader.
Pres. Polk sought to dismiss US
negotiator, Nicholas Trist
Treaty completed when Trist
ignored Polk’s order and
new Mexican president was
elected.
2. Mexico ceded all land from
Rio Grande to Nueces
Rivers.
3. Mexico ceded all land to
Pacific Ocean and north to
Oregon.
4. US to honor land titles
(deleted by Senate)
SIGNATURES ON ACTUAL TREATY
OBJECTIONS TO TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDELGO
Pres. Polk felt Scott’s victories should have given US more territory.
Polk and others favored annexing all of Mexico.
Many in North feared the result of much land below Missouri Compromise line.
Some objections to taking land by conquest.
Some fear of annexing much land where Catholicism dominant religion.
Senate approved treaty by vote of 38 to 14 despite objections.
JOEL POINSETT 1779-1851
MEXICAN WAR LEGACY
Training ground for future leaders
Braxton Bragg
Franklin Pierce
First US ambassador to Mexico
1825-1830.
Brought back flower that bears
his name.
Served in Congress and as head
of Smithsonian Institution
predecessor.
Secretary of War in cabinet of
Martin Van Buren.
12
12/10/2014
WAR BROUGHT SLAVERY TO THE FORE
Slavery became increasingly important political issue after 1846.
Wilmot Proviso broke “gentlemen’s agreement” not to discuss in Congress.
More and More Americans saw link to war.
Still many did not want to abolish slavery—just stop spread.
Abolition movement continued to grow.
Evangelicals stressed sinful nature.
Gradualism replaced by calls for immediate abolition.
1848 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Polk chose not to run 1848—ill health.
Democrats chose Lewis Cass of
Michigan—”popular sovereignty.”
Whigs chose Taylor—slave owner
and southerner
Leaders tried to balance Taylor
with Millard Fillmore of NY
Growing number of abolitionists
disliked Taylor.
Taylor agreed with Calhoun that
Congress did not have right to end
slavery in territories.
Opposed by Free Soil Party and
Martin Van Buren
Fragmentation of national politics
growing ever wider.
GARRISON AND OTHERS SEEN AS RADICALS
Wm. Lloyd Garrison and others like
him seen as radicals.
Most Americans, and some
abolitionists, reject radical
stance.
Condemned mainstream churches.
Condemned the US Constitution.
Black abolitionists frightened many
Americans on both sides.
Henry Highland Garnet called for
violence--1843
American and Foreign Anti-Slavery
Society formed 1840.
More moderate than Garrison
group.
Centered on ideas of Frederick
Douglass and others.
Concentrated on political answer
to slavery issue.
LIBERTY PARTY FORMED 1840
Members believed in moderate approach.
Felt slavery would die on own if contained.
Did want abolition in Washington, DC.
Presidential candidate James G. Birney.
Got only 7000 votes in 1840.
Got 62,000 in 1844.
Local connection: party received much support here.
Major party leader, William Goodell, lived in Honeoye for 10 years.
Birney’s wife was a Fitzhugh with Rochester, Sodus and Geneva
connections.
Birneys are buried in Williamsburgh Cemetery (Groveland) near Geneseo.
Lewis Cass
JAMES G. BIRNEY
Born in KY. Alabama state legislator.
Agent of American Colonization Soc.
1836 Executive Secretary of American Anti -Slavery Society
Liberty Party Presidential Candidate 1840, 1844.
“Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Speech, Free Men”
Free Soil Party was coalition of
moderate anti-slavery supporters.
Martin Van Buren was their
candidate in 1848.
Opposed extension of slavery but not
total abolition.
Van Buren got 10% of total votes.
Party was attractive to many Whigs.
13
12/10/2014
14