Chapter 13
Manifest Destiny
Mrs. Harrelson
U.S. History
Lesson 1: Oregon Country
• Many Americans wanted control of Oregon in order to
gain access to the Pacific Ocean.
• Adams-Onís Treaty: The Spanish gave up all claims to Oregon.
• Joint occupation: This meant that people from both the United
States and Great Britain could settle in Oregon
Lesson 1: Oregon Country
• Mountain Men in Oregon: carved out several east-to-
west trails. The most popular route was the Oregon Trail
• Many Americans took to the trail. These pioneers were
called emigrants—people who leave their country—
because they left the United States to go to Oregon.
Lesson 2: Statehood of Florida
• 1821: Florida became an American territory (from Spain)
• In 1837- 48,000 people lived there.
• Officials organized a vote to determine if Floridians wanted
to form a state.
• Florida wanted to enter as a slave state.
Lesson 2: Statehood of Florida
• It would take six years for Congress to act.
• Congress had to wait until another territory was ready to
become a free state.
• Iowa entered as a free state candidate.
• Florida became the 27th state on March 3, 1845.
Lesson 2: Statehood for Texas
• Mexico controlled the land that is now Texas
• Mexico encouraged Americans to settle in Texas. Before long,
Americans greatly outnumbered Tejanos.
• Americans refused to follow Mexico's rules. These included
learning Spanish and becoming Catholic.
• In 1830 Mexico issued a decree closing its borders to further
immigration.
Lesson 2: Statehood of Texas
• Texans captured the city of San Antonio from a larger Mexican force.
• In San Antonio in late February 1836. There it found a small Texan
force barricaded inside a mission building called the Alamo.
• 1836 Mexican cannon fire smashed the Alamo's walls.
• Only a few women and children and some servants survived to tell of
the battle.
Lesson 2: Statehood of Texas
• Texans launched a surprise attack, shouting, "Remember the
Alamo!"
• They killed more than 600 soldiers and captured about 700
more—including General Santa Anna.
• 1836, Santa Anna signed a treaty that gave independence to Texas.
Lesson 2: Statehood for Texas
• Texans elected Sam Houston as their president. They ask to join
the U.S
• Andrew Jackson refused their request.
• Adding Texas would make slave v. free states unbalanced.
• For the moment, Texas would remain an independent country.
Lesson 2: Statehood for Texas
• Manifest Destiny was a popular idea at the time. The South
wanted Texas. The North favored gaining all of Oregon.
• Presidential Candidate James K. Polk supported both actions.
After Polk won, Congress passed a resolution to annex Texas.
• In 1845 Texas joined the Union.