Day 3: Manifest Destiny 90-120 minutes
Materials to Distribute
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Manifest Destiny Informational Text Sheet
Optional - Mexican-American War Informational Text Sheet
Optional - Biography on James K. Polk
Map of America following the Mexican-American War (1848)
Image Interpretation: Oh, Columbiana!
Prompt: The American Empire
Background:
Introduce: Manifest Destiny is the term used to describe the mindset of Americans in the early to mid1800s. During this time, Americans developed a sense of continental entitlement and justified
expansion with the notion that Americans had the duty to spread their ideals from “sea to shining
sea.”
Ask: Can you think of any problems that may have arisen with Manifest Destiny and Westward
Expansion? Who might have objected?
Say: President James K. Polk was a strong advocate of Manifest Destiny, but there were detractors.
Abraham Lincoln, for example, likened America’s war with Mexico to imperialism. Imperialism is the
practice of a nation extending its power and influence across borders through military action or
diplomacy.
Say: During Manifest Destiny, America acquired Florida, much of the American West, as well as the
Oregon Territory. In Manifest Destiny, the United States government also waged war on much of
Native America, forcing entire civilizations to sign unfair treaties relinquishing land. Many of these
Native American groups were forced to move to reservations; most notably the Cherokee on the Trail
of Tears.
Ask: What effect do you think Manifest Destiny had on slavery?
Distribute: The informational sheet on Manifest Destiny. Read with students. This sheet will help to
crystalize the mentality and rationale behind Manifest Destiny as well as causes and effects.
Ask: Did you many states in the American West used to be part of Mexico? Can you name them?
Ask: How do you think these states became part of America? (Territory acquired through force )
Ask: How do you think American acquired Oregon, Washington, and parts of the Northwest? (Territory
acquired through diplomacy).
Distribute: Label-me Map of America in 1848. Have students label the states and territories.
Distribute: Image Interpretation: Oh, Columbia, which requires students to interpret the symbolism
behind Columbiana.
Distribute: Mr. Polk’s War: In this activity, students conduct a fictional conversation between James K.
Polk and Abraham Lincoln regarding the legality and morality of Manifest Destiny and the MexicanAmerican War, in particular.
Discuss: Student responses
Oh Columbia!
In the mid 1800’s, Manifest Destiny is the term used to describe the mindset of Americans in
the early to mid-1800s. During this time, Americans developed a sense of continental
entitlement and justified expansion with the notion that Americans had the duty to spread
their ideals from “sea to shining sea.”
The angelic being in the image below is Columbia, the female personification of the American
spirit during the 1800s. The painting, entitled “American Progress,” by John Gast, reflected
the American attitude toward expansion and growth during Manifest Destiny. Analyze the
painting above. What examples of Manifest Destiny can you point to in the painting above?
1. Conestoga Wagons heading west represents the migration of the American people from
the eastern United States to the western United States.
2.
3.
4.
Possible Answers
In the mid 1800’s, Manifest Destiny is the term used to describe the mindset of Americans in
the early to mid-1800s. During this time, Americans developed a sense of continental
entitlement and justified expansion with the notion that Americans had the duty to spread
their ideals from “sea to shining sea.”
The angelic being in the image below is Columbia, the female personification of the American
spirit during the 1800s. The painting, entitled “American Progress,” by John Gast, reflected
the American attitude toward expansion and growth during Manifest Destiny. Analyze the
painting above. What examples of Manifest Destiny can you point to in the painting above?
1. Conestoga Wagons heading west represents the migration of the American people from
the eastern United States to the western United States.
2. Telegraph Wires carried by Columbia represent bringing progress and technology to
the wilderness of the West.
3. Light to Darkness – The contrast between the blue sky in the east and the clouds is the
essence of the mindset of Manifest Destiny. It was meant to portray the great “light”
from the east being brought to the west.
4. Divinity – The angelic depiction of Columbia is meant to portray that Manifest Destiny
was sanctioned by God or a higher power.
Conversation between James K. Polk and a Congressman from Illinois
While most of the nation supported President James K. Polk’s prosecution of the Mexican-American
War, there was at least one congressman who voiced opposition. This congressman claimed that the
Mexican-American War was immoral, proslavery, and a threat to the nation’s Republican values. He
also accused President Polk of justifying war with exaggerations and half-truths.
Based on your knowledge of Manifest Destiny and the Mexican-American War, construct a fictional
conversation between these men. Some of the prompts are provided.
Congressman: President Polk, that you for taking the opportunity to speak with me.
President Polk: You’re welcome, Congressman. What’s on your mind?
Congressman: If I may be honest, President Polk, I am concerned our role in the war against Mexico. I
find it to be an example of one country stealing the land of another. This war is referred to as Mr. Polk’s
War in the North. Can you explain?
President Polk:
President Polk (Now asking the question): Congressman, you have been called the “Benedict Arnold of
our district,” by other members of Congress in your own home state. They liken you to a traitor for
your stance against the War and against the progress of our nation, Mr. Lincoln. I know you disagree
with my reasons for declaring war, but what would you say to those who call you a traitor?
Congressman:
Do you know who the “congressman” is? ______________________________
Possible Answers
Conversation between James K. Polk and a Congressman from Illinois
While most of the nation supported President James K. Polk’s prosecution of the Mexican-American
War, there was at least one congressman who voiced opposition. This congressman claimed that the
Mexican-American War was immoral, proslavery, and a threat to the nation’s Republican values. He
also accused President Polk of justifying war with exaggerations and half-truths.
Based on your knowledge of Manifest Destiny and the Mexican-American War, construct a fictional
conversation between these men. Some of the prompts are provided.
Congressman: President Polk, that you for taking the opportunity to speak with me.
President Polk: You’re welcome, Congressman. What’s on your mind?
Congressman: If I may be honest, President Polk, I am concerned our role in the war against Mexico. I
find it to be an example of one country stealing the land of another. This war is referred to as Mr. Polk’s
War in the North. Can you explain?
President Polk:
I declared war on Mexico, sir, because the Mexicans fired at our men standing guard at the Rio Grande.
This was act of aggression that could not be tolerated. Mexico wanted this war and we gave them
exactly what they wanted. That said, this war is about more than that. We are a great nation. We have a
decree from God to spread our ideals across the North American continent. It is not a choice, but a
duty to let nothing stand in the way of that noble endeavor.
President Polk (Now asking the question): Congressman, you have been called the “Benedict Arnold of
our district,” by other members of Congress in your own home state. They liken you to a traitor for
your stance against the War and against the progress of our nation, Mr. Lincoln. I know you disagree
with my reasons for declaring war, but what would you say to those who characterized you as such?
Congressman:
Those who have called me “Benedict Arnold” must have no regard for my love of this nation. I do not
wish for the destruction of America, only for the true intentions of the war to be revealed. Does this war
have nothing to do with the acquisition of land? Does this war have nothing to do with the extension of
slavery? Does this war have nothing to do with the spread of empire? I believe this war has less to do
with the aggression of the Mexicans and more to do with my aforementioned questions.
Do you know who the “congressman” is? ABRAHAM LINCOLN
United States in 1848 Label Me Map
States and Territories
1.
4.
7.
10.
13.
16.
19.
22.
25.
28.
31.
34.
2.
5.
8.
11.
14.
17.
20.
23.
26.
29.
32.
3.
6.
9.
12.
15.
18.
21.
24.
27.
30.
33.
United States in 1848 Label Me Map ANSWERS
1. Maine
4. Massachusetts
7. New York
10. Delaware
13. North Carolina
16. Florida
19. Tennessee
22. Indiana
25. Illinois
28. Missouri
31. Land Annexed from Mexico (1845)
34. Land Ceded by Mexico (1848)
States and Territories
2. Vermont
5. Rhode Island
8. Pennsylvania
11. Maryland
14. South Carolina
17. Ohio
20. Alabama
23. Mississippi
26. Louisiana
29. Iowa
32. Unorganized Territory
3. New Hampshire
6. Connecticut
9. New Jersey
12. Virginia
15. Georgia
18. Kentucky
21. Michigan
24. Wisconsin
27. Arkansas
30. Minnesota Territory
33. Oregon Territory
United States in 1848
James K. Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, in 1795. He graduated with honors from the
University of North Carolina in 1818. As a young man he became a successful lawyer, entered politics and
joined the Tennessee Legislature. Polk’s political career progressed quickly. He served as the Speaker of
the House of Representatives from 1835-1839. He served as governor of Tennessee afterwards. He would
earn the nickname "Little Hickory," for his close association to Andrew Jackson, who was called "Old
Hickory."
In 1844, Polk was elected president of the United States – the first and only Speaker of the House to ever
ascend to the presidency. He was an advocate of Manifest Destiny (western expansion) and supported the
annexation of Texas, as well as acquisition of California and Oregon. Later that year, Polk negotiated a
treaty with Great Britain which resulted in his country’s acquisition of the Oregon Territory. Although Texas
became the 31st state in 1845, the attempted acquisition of California resulted in the Mexican-American
War. Polk initially offered to buy California and the New Mexico territory from Mexico for $20,000,000, plus
forgiveness of other debts. The Mexican government refused, which prompted Polk to send general (and
the next president) Zachary Taylor and his troops to the region. The Mexicans saw this as a sign of
aggression and attacked Taylor’s troops. Congress declared war and promptly defeated Mexican forces and
occupied Mexico City. At the end of the war, Mexico agreed to give up California and the New Mexico
territory for $15,000,000. The new lands increased the land mass of the American nation significantly. Polk’s
presidency is regarded as very successful and he is considered by historians to have been the most
successful single-term, non-assassinated president. During his presidency, the first postage stamps were
issued, the Smithsonian museums were dedicated, and the United States Naval Academy was opened.
In failing health, Polk left the White House in 1849 (he never tried to win re-election). Only 103 days after his
last as president, he died of Cholera in Nashville, Tennessee.
Zachary Taylor – Mexican-American War
As a result of the U.S. annexation of Texas in 1845, hostilities between the two nations exploded.
Although officials in Mexico wanted peaceful negotiations, vigorous demands from Mexican centralists
pressured them to refuse. On April 25, 1846, Mexican soldiers attacked U.S. troops along the southern
border of Texas. On May 13, President James K. Polk declared war on Mexico. Meanwhile, the
Mexicans had attempted two other attacks on American soldiers near the Rio Grande. Both ended in
failure. The failures were devastating to the Mexicans, who had a larger and better trained army than
the Americans.
In a series of battles at Palo Alto and Resaca de Palma (near current-day Brownsville, Texas), the army
of General, and future president, Zachary Taylor defeated Mexican forces and began to move south. In
August of 1846, Taylor began formulating plans to attack the Mexican stronghold of Monterrey.
Meanwhile, nearly 20,000 American volunteers had gathered near the Rio Grande. Sub-tropical
diseases such as dysentery and malaria ravaged the makeshift American military forces. If Mexico
would have attacked during this time (July or August), the Mexican War may have very well been won
by the Mexicans. Unfortunately for the Mexicans, the country was in civil disarray and the collapse of
their central government, combined with numerous militant rebellions in central Mexico, prevented
them from organizing any serious offensives. The rebels even offered to help Zachary Taylor defeat the
Mexican army. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the same man who surrendered to the Texans, took over
as president and commander of the Mexican army.
On September 21, 1846, General Zachary Taylor and 2,000 soldiers easily took Monterrey. Soon after,
Saltillo and Parras, Mexico were also taken. In February of 1847, general Winfield Scott, who had taken
Veracruz, Mexico, began an advance toward the Mexican capital of Mexico City. American forces led by
future heroes Robert E. Lee, George McClellan and others, routed Mexican resistance under General
Santa Anna at Cerro Gordo on their way to the Mexican capital. The Mexicans suffered 3,000
casualties. On May 14-15, American forces easily took Puebla. After routing Mexican forces at
Churubusco, Winfield Scott and soldiers defeated Santa Anna’s army from the Mexican Military
College on the fortified hill of Chapultepec in Mexico City. The Mexicans suffered terrible casualties
and were forced to surrender. American forces would next occupy New Mexico and California amidst
sporadic resistance. On March 10, 1848, the Americans and Mexicans signed the Treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo which resulted in the addition of 1.2 million square miles of territory for the United States
(virtually all of the American southwest and Texas). It also set the Rio Grande as the border between
Mexico and the United States. America agreed to pay Mexico 15 million dollars.