CHAPTER 12 PREVIEW.docx
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CHAPTER 12 PREVIEW
A Look Back
Chapter 12: Manifest Destiny
Andrew Jackson was considered a common man: he was born in a
log cabin, he was a patriot, and he was a war hero. These qualities
made him very popular.
The United States expanded rapidly in the early 1800’s. Some people
believed that the U.S. should expand all the way to the Pacific
Ocean. This theory became known as "Manifest Destiny”.
Politics changed under Andrew Jackson:
Manifest Destiny was used to justify acquiring land such as the
annexation of Texas, Oregon, and the Mexican Cession, as well as
moving Native Americans off their land.
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Suffrage: There was no longer a requirement to own land to
be able to vote. This allowed factory workers and poor
farmers the right to vote.
Spoils system: Jackson rewarded political supporters by
giving them government jobs.
Although many Americans opposed the annexation of Texas and the
Mexican War, President James K. Polk justified these actions with
Manifest Destiny.
Jackson is also famous for the Indian Removal Act which forced
Native Americans off their land.
INDIAN REMOVAL
ACT:
This law forced all
Native Americans in
the southeast to
move off their land.
They had to move
west of the
Mississippi River.
A. JACKSON (7)
TRAIL OF TEARS:
When the Cherokee were
forced off their land, 4,000
of them died on the
journey to Indian Territory.
This sad journey became
known as the Trail of
Tears.
M. VAN BUREN (8)
1835
1840
TEXAS ANNEXATION:
The Republic of Texas
wanted to become part of
the U.S. Some Americans
opposed this, fearing it
would become a slave
state. Polk annexed Texas
in 1845, citing Manifest
Destiny.
J. TYLER (10)
WAR WITH MEXICO:
(1846-1848)
Polk provoked a war
with Mexico. Mexico
lost and was forced
to give up a large
piece of their
territory.
JAMES POLK (11)
1845
CALIFORNIA GOLD
RUSH:
Gold was discovered
in 1849 in California.
This led to thousands
of people flocking
there with the hope
of getting rich.
M. FILLMORE (13)
1850
OREGON COUNTRY:
MANIFEST DESTINY
The idea that the U.S. was meant to expand
all the way to the Pacific Ocean. This was
used to justify many actions that expanded
the United States.
The U.S. and Britain
agreed to split the Oregon
Country.
ZACHARY TAYLOR (12):
He became famous as a
general in the Mexican War.
He died in 1850 and his VP
took over.
F. PIERCE (14)
1855
Important events, people, and vocabulary
Manifest
Destiny
Oregon
Country
What was it? What were some of its effects?
The theory that the U.S. was bound to expand all the
way to the Pacific. It was used to justify the
annexation of Texas, the Mexican War, and stealing
land from Native Americans.
How did it become part of the U.S.?
It was originally shared by the U.S. and Britain.
Britain and the U.S. eventually divided it along 49
degrees north latitude.
War with
Mexico
(1846-1848)
California Gold
Rush
Opinion Question:
Was Manifest
Destiny right
or wrong?
Oregon Trail
Texas
Texas
annexation
(1845)
How did it become independent from Mexico?
Texas, a region of Mexico, had been settled by
Americans. They did not obey Mexican laws (slavery)
and refused to convert to Catholicism. After a
rebellion, Texas won independence and became the
Republic of Texas.
How did it become part of the U.S.?
The U.S. annexed Texas because the Republic of
Texas feared being taken over by Mexico. This
angered Mexico.
How did this war start? What were the effects?
James Polk provoked a war with Mexico over
disputed territory in Texas. After losing the war,
Mexico was forced to give up a huge piece of land
called the Mexican Cession.
What happened? What are boomtowns and
vigilantes?
Gold was discovered in California immediately
following the War with Mexico. This prompted
thousands to go to California seeking gold. The
majority, arriving in 1849, were called forty-niners.