This document provides background information on Manifest Destiny and America's westward expansion in the first half of the 19th century. It discusses key concepts like Manifest Destiny, which held that it was God's will for America to expand across the continent to the Pacific. It describes how Americans migrated west along routes like the Oregon Trail and faced many hardships. It also covers events that contributed to Texas independence from Mexico like the Alamo and Goliad massacres, and the eventual annexation of Texas as a state.

1. Chapter 4: Economic Growth and Westward Expansion
4.2 Manifest Destiny
SSUSH7 Students will explain the process of economic growth, its regional
and national impact in the first half of the 19 century, and the different
responses to it.
b. Describe the westward growth of the United States; include the emerging
concept of Manifest Destiny.

2. Manifest Destiny Preview
• Have you ever gone on an extended trip?
• What methods of transportation did you take?
• What obstacles did you face?
• Were you limited in the amount of things you could pack to
• take with you?
• If so, how did you decide what you would take?
In this section, you will learn about the problems facing Americans
as they migrated west.

3. Manifest Destiny (Part I)
Oregon Country & Mountain Men

4. Manifest Destiny
The belief held by many US leaders that it was God's sovereign will for
the US to expand and possess territory all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
John L. O'Sullivan, the man who
coined the phrase 'Manifest Destiny'
“Many Americans have accepted the rhetoric of Manifest Destiny at face value, seeing their nation’s continental
expansion as inevitable and altruistic, a result of the irresistible force generated by a virtuous people”
Contemporary historian George C. Herring

5. Mountain Men and Fur Trappers
A mountain man was a trapper and explorer who lived in the wilderness and
most common in the Rocky Mountains from about 1810 through the 1840s.
These solitary fur-trappers lived thousands of miles from civilization. Most
had no home, no money and no possessions, except what they could carry on
their horses. They lived completely off the land and roamed constantly,
covering hundreds of miles each year trapping beaver and selling the furs to
traders.

6. Fur Trading
Why beaver pelts? The hides could
be made into fashionable waterproof
hats, hats that were quite popular in
place like London, where it rains a
lot. And so the pelts became very
valuable commodities.
Each beaver trap weighed five pounds
and was usually attached to a length of
chain that was used to secure the trap
after it was set.

7. The “Rendezvous"
Rocky Mountain Rendezvous (in trapper jargon) was an annual gathering
(1825–1840) at various locations held by a fur trading company at which
trappers and mountain men sold their furs and hides and replenished their
supplies. The large fur companies put together teamster driven mule trains
which packed in whiskey, supplies, and women into a pre-announced
location each spring-summer.
Rendezvous vs. St. Louis trader prices:
Item Prices Rendezvous Price St. Louis Prices
Coffee, 1 lb. $ 2.00 .15 cents
Sugar, 1 lb. $ 2.00 .09 cents
Clothing, 1 yd. $ 10.00 .14 cents

8. Oregon Territory (Oregon, Washington, and Idaho)
The Oregon Territory provided fertile soil, plentiful rainfall, and mild
temperatures all year long.
American migration increased into the Oregon Territory after the War of
1812. However, three other countries also claimed the territory; British,
Spanish and Russians.
Four competing countries claimed
the Oregon territory.
a. United States
b. Great Britain (England)
c. Spain
d. Russia

9. “Oregon Fever” Americans Head West
Americans moved west for many reasons, including to find religious freedom
and to own their own farms.
The Oregon Trail opened in 1836. It was a long and difficult journey, filled
with many dangers. But for those who were successful were rewarded with
economic opportunity! Caravans began to move across the Great Plains, as
this method offered the best protection from potential Indian attacks, and
also combated the loneliness and other dangers of the journey. People needed
to carry all that they owned inside the wagons
Settlers met and began their westward
travel in Independence, Missouri.
Travel: 2,000-mile journey
Hazards: Rain, snow, and sickness.
Between 1840-1860, about 50,000 settle in the Oregon Territory

10. Wagon
Diagram

11. Manifest Destiny (Part II):
Texas Independence

12. Opening Texas for Settlement
In 1821, Texas came under Mexican control after Mexico won its independence
from Spain. Mexico wanted to get loyal Mexicans to move there, but the vast
northern part of the region was sparsely occupied except for the Comanche (a
native tribe) which frequently sent raiding parties into the region.
Few Tejanos, the Spanish-speaking people of the area, lived in the vast northern
part of the region, but instead had set up settlements in the southern part of the
region.
Texas Territory
They were formidable opponents who developed strategies for using traditional
weapons for fighting on horseback. Warfare was a major part of Comanche life.
Comanche raids into Mexico traditionally took place during the full moon, when
the Comanche could see to ride at night. This led to the term "Comanche Moon",
during which the Comanche raided for horses, captives, and weapons.

13. Opening Texas to Americans
The Mexican government sought skilled settlers to rehabilitate that land and
finally began to advertise for Europeans and Americans.
Most American emigrants came to Texas under the National Colonization Act, in
which they were able to buy cheap land.
In return, immigrants had to become loyal Mexican citizens, learn to speak
Spanish, live under Mexican law, become Roman Catholics, and not own slaves
since slavery was against the Mexican constitution.

14. Stephen Austin
Stephen Austin founded the town of Washington-on-the-Brazos and had Mexican
authorization emigrate American settlers to Texas. Stephen Austin was successful
when persuaded about 1,500 American families to settle in Texas and founded the
town of Washington-on-the-Brazos.
Stephen Austin
“The Father of Texas”

15. Texan Insurrection
At first the Americans agreed to Mexican citizenship, but soon too many
Americans immigrated to Texas Territory and refused to adopt Mexican
customs. Very few thought of Mexico as their country and resented the
Mexican government telling them what to do.
The Mexican government could not control the flood of immigrants. Texas
was becoming more American than Mexican. Anglo-American population
outnumbered Hispanics 10 to 1. In 1830 Mexico closed its borders to
immigration by Americans which angered settlers.

16. Santa Anna
Santa Anna (Mexican dictator) assumed power over the Mexican government
in 1834 and tightened his control over Texas by sending the Mexican army to
control Texas in 1835.
Austin urged Texans to organize an army because he thought that war with
Mexico was certain to happen.
Santa Anna: Mexican President and military general decided to teach the trespassing Texans a lesson.

17. Come and Take It (Oct 2, 1835)
The first shots of the Texan Revolution were heard at the military post of
Gonzales about 75 miles east of San Antonio. It began when Mexican soldiers
had arrived on October 2, 1835 to reclaim the cannon that had earlier been
loaned to settlers. They were met with gun fire and a defiant "Come and
Take it."

18. Sam Houston
The Texan army faced difficulties. Few men had military training. They
could not agree who would lead them. Finally, Sam Houston, a former
governor of Tennessee and an experienced military leader who took
command of the Texan army.
Sam Houston launched a rebellion and gained Texas independence from Mexico.

19. The Alamo (March 6, 1836)
In February 1836, Santa Anna vowed revenge for defeat at Gonzales and the
Texan proclamation of independence. Santa Anna marched the Mexican army
north into Texas.
Santa Anna commanded a force of 6,000 men and laid siege to an old mission
called the Alamo.
The Alamo was defended by 183 Texans. On March 6, 1836, after a two-week
siege of the Alamo, Santa Anna ordered the final attack on the Alamo.
All of the Texan defenders were killed. The Mexicans lost over 1200 men in the
battle.
Over 180 Texas rebels were
at the Alamo, an abandoned
mission in the town. The
small force, commanded by
William B. Travis and
joined by 32 settlers, held off
Santa Anna’s army for 13
days. At this time, the new
Texas government declared
independence from Mexico.
On March 6, 1836, Santa
Anna’s army defeated the
Texans at the Alamo.

20. Davy Crockett: A former Tennessee congressman felt
strongly in the Texas cause. He was one of five people
captured at the Alamo and executed by General Santa Anna.
The nickname for the Tennessee “Volunteers” came from
the number of Tennessee men who volunteered to fight
and die at the Alamo.
Today, the Alamo is a Texas Shrine
Fun Facts About the Alamo
The Bowie knife: A fearsome 13”
weapon designed by Jim Bowie, one
of the defenders of the Alamo.
Although courageous, many of
the Mexican soldiers were
Indians forced to serve in the
army and did not understand
Spanish and knew little about
firearms. Not properly trained
by their officers, these
infantrymen usually fired their
muskets from the hip to avoid
the mule-like kick of their
heavy muskets.

22. Massacre at Goliad (March 27, 1836)
After their victory at the Alamo, the Mexican army marched to Goliad. The
Texan defenders at Goliad led by Col. James Fannin surrendered to Santa Anna
without a fight.
On March 27, 1836, between 300-400 prisoners were rounded up and marched
about a mile away from Goliad. The Mexican soldiers, under orders of Santa
Anna, opened fire and massacred the unarmed prisoners. The bodies were
burned and dumped. For weeks, they were left to the elements and gnawed on by
wild animals.
When Col. Fannin was told he was to
be executed, he gave his valuables to a
Mexican officer asking that they be
given to his family. He also requested
not to be shot in the head and to have
a decent burial: he was shot in the
head, looted, burned and dumped into
a mass grave. About forty wounded
prisoners, who had been unable to
march, were also executed at the fort.

23. “Remember the Alamo” and “Remember Goliad”
Word of the Goliad Massacre quickly spread throughout Texas, infuriating the
settlers and rebel Texans. The losses at the Alamo and Goliad united Texans
behind their new country. “Remember the Alamo” and “Remember Goliad,”
became the rallying cry of the angry Texan rebels.

24. The Battle of San Jacinto was fought on April 21, 1836 when Sam Houston and
his Texas troops launched a surprise attack on the Mexican army which was
caught taking their afternoon siesta [nap].
During the attack Houston’s men yelled, “Remember the Alamo” and
“Remember Goliad.”
The Texans easily beat the Mexican army within eighteen minutes.
Sam Houston: rallied the Texans with the Battle Cry,
“Remember the Alamo” and soundly defeated Santa
Anna six weeks after the Alamo at San Jacinto.
San Jacinto [Part I]

25. Many wanted Santa Anna hanged for his actions at the Alamo and Goliad.
Instead, Sam Houston gave Santa Anna a choice: “Your Life” or “Recognition of
the Independence of the Republic of Texas.”
Santa Anna signed the treaty giving Texas its independence and was allowed to
return to Mexico.
San Jacinto [Part II]
In order to save his life, [Santa Anna] signed an ignominious agreement that degrades him
and is in every way shameful.
--José Enrique de la Peña Narrative
General Santa Anna wrote to
General Filisola the day after
the battle at San Jacinto,
telling of his capture by the
Texas army and ordering
Filisola to remove the
Mexican army beyond the
Rio Grande.

26. Map:
Fight for Texas
Independence

27. The Republic of Texas (1836-1845)
In September 1836, voters elected Sam Houston president of the Republic of
Texas. They also voted for annexation, to become part of the United States.
Many northern members of Congress, however, were against admitting
Texas to the Union. They thought Texas, with its many enslaved persons,
would become a slave state. Texas will remain a republic for the
Sam Houston launched a rebellion and
gained Texas independence from Mexico.
After Texas became its own republic he
served as its first and only President.
Texan independence ushered in
the short-lived Republic of Texas,
known popularly as the Lone Star
Republic. In the years between
1836 and 1848, independent Texas
claimed that its western boundary
was defined by the Rio Grande.
The Mexican government
disagreed, arguing that Texas was
confined to a line beginning at the
Nueces River.

28. William Henry Harrison and the Election of 1840
William Henry Harrison who was the military hero of the Battle of Tippecanoe
in 1811 against Tecumseh.
Harrison campaigned as the "man of the people," with his famous “Tippecanoe
and Tyler Too” slogan.
Harrison served the shortest time in office as the first president to die in office
(only five weeks after his inauguration)
On the day of his inauguration, Washington D.C. was experiencing freezing rain. Undeterred the new president wore no coat or hat
and delivered his inaugural address which lasted nearly two hours. As a soldier, farmer, and outdoorsman, Harrison had spent
much of his life in bad weather. He followed the address with a round of receptions in his wet clothing. Within days, he had a cold,
which developed into pneumonia.
Doctors were called in, but their medical practices were crude. They applied heated suction cups supposedly to draw out the disease
and the same bleeding tactics that had killed George Washington. This only weakened Harrison further, and three weeks after
taking office, he was clearly dying. As a last resort, a number of Native American "remedies" were tried, including one involving the
use of live snakes. Exactly one month after taking the oath of office, Harrison was dead.

29. John Tyler
Vice President John Tyler became the new President after the death of
President Harrison. Tyler was not very popular with his own Whig Party
and soon broke with them by vetoing several Whig-sponsored bills and
sought the annexation of Texas. [Make part of the United States.]
Tyler's entire cabinet resigned out of protest.
Tyler was not re-nominated for President and kicked out of Whig Party.
John Tyler was nicknamed "His Accidency." He
became president upon the death of Harrison
and became the first Vice President to succeed to
Presidency.
After his Presidency he briefly returned to
Washington, D.C. to help create a compromise
between the North and South prior to the Civil
War, the effort failed.
He was preparing to take his seat in the
Confederate House of Representatives when he
died on January 18, 1862 at the age of 71.
Because he was considered a traitor, his
obituary was omitted from many northern
newspapers and no flags were allowed to be
flown at half mast which was the customary
recognition of a former President when they
died.

30. Debate Over the Annexation of Texas
Expansionists feared that an independent Texas would blunt America’s march
into the southwest. Northern Congressmen were against the annexation of
Texas because they thought that it was a pro-slavery plot to gain more power in
Congress.
The Mexican government did not recognize Texas as
independent and became angry about the American
claim to Texas. It saw the annexation of Texas by the
United States as stealing Mexican land.
The Republic of Texas felt vulnerable by possible
Mexican retaliation and an immediate Mexican
attack.
Texas established close diplomatic ties with several
European nations, including Britain and France, in an
effort to protect itself from Mexico.

31. The Annexation of Texas
Texas was annexed by John Tyler on December 29, 1845, his last day in
office. Texas was formally admitted to the Union became the twenty-eighth
state of the Union.
The Six Flags of Texas
The state of Texas is the only state
in the nation that has been under
six flags, which includes the flags of
Spain, France, Mexico, the Lone
Star Republic of Texas, the
Confederate States of America, and
the United States.
Spain Mexico Republic of Texas Confederate
States of America
United StatesFrance

32. American History
Unit 11:
Manifest Destiny (Part III):
Oregon Dispute & the War with Mexico

33. James K. Polk and the Election of 1844
James K. Polk, a former Congressman and governor of Tennessee, was the
Democratic candidate in the 1844 election. He promised to re-occupy the
Oregon territory and buy California from Mexico.
Henry Clay who opposed expansion of any territory while Polk was a firm
believer in Manifest destiny.
James Polk easily defeated by 170 to 105 Electoral votes.
James K. Polk

34. Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!
Britain and the United States both claimed Oregon. Polk claimed that the
Oregon Territory belonged to the United States by right of discovery and
demanded it all the way to its northern boarder at latitude 5440 N be added
to the United States.
Those who supported Polk’s stand on Oregon used the slogan “Fifty-four
Forty or Fight.”

35. The Oregon Dispute Was Diffused
To avoid war with England over the Oregon territory, Polk agreed to split
the territory with Great Britain. In June 1846, the two countries agreed that
the United States would acquire most of Oregon south of 49º north latitude.
The United States accepted a treaty declaring the 49th parallel as the official
boundary and in 1846, Oregon became a US territory.

36. The New Mexican Territory with its territorial capital of Santa Fe was
controlled by Mexico and consisted of Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah,
and parts of Colorado. Fearing its loss to American settlers as had its Texas
Territory, Mexico prohibited Americans from settling the area.
New Mexico Territory
New Mexico Territory
No Mas
Gringos!

37. In November 1845, President Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico City as a special
envoy, or representative, and offered to purchase California, Arizona, and
New Mexico for $30 million.
Mexico’s president, Santa Anna refused to meet with Slidell and claimed this
offer as an insult.
Mexico broke diplomatic relations with the United States government and
threatened to go to war against the United States.
New Mexico Territory
When you go see
this Santa Anna… I
want you make him
an offer he can’t
refuse…
“President Polk shared the view of many
fellow countrymen that the Mexican
government was unfit to control the destiny
of that beautiful country" (Herring)

38. Border Dispute Leads to War
Mexico and the U.S. government disputed the highly contested location of
Texas’s southwestern border. The U.S. claimed the border was the Rio
Grande. The Mexican government claimed the border was at the Nueces
River.
Mr. President… I met
with Senor Santa Anna…
He refused your offer…

39. The Thornton Affair (April 25, 1846)
President Polk sent a patrol of U.S. cavalry into the disputed territory
between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande. Polk expected little
retaliation from the Mexican government. However, this tension caused
Mexico to retaliate and on April 25, 1846 the Mexican army ambushed the
U.S. patrol killing sixteen U.S. cavalry troops.
American citizens demanded revenge. Polk saw this as his justification to go
to war against Mexico.
It’s on like
Donkey
Kong

40. War is Declared
May 13, 1846 Congress officially declares war on Mexico. However, not all
Americans wanted a war. War aroused many anti-imperialist reactions and
questions about the future and slave territories. Northern congressmen didn't
want war because they feared it would spread slavery.
Southerners saw a victory as a way to spread slavery and gain an upper hand
in Congress.
Thousands of American volunteers were
authorized by Congress for twelve-month
military service and arrived in the lower Rio
Grande Valley shortly thereafter. “Most
Americans enthusiastically supported the war.
Approximately 75,000 men eagerly enlisted in
volunteer regiments raised by the various
states. Thousands more enlisted in the regular
U.S. Army. There was no need for a draft. In
some places, so many men flocked to recruiting
stations that large numbers had to be turned
away.”

41. Mexican War (1846-1848)
War fought between the US and Mexico between 1846-1848 that resulted in
the United States taking possession of California and much of the Southwest.

42. President Polk sent 4000 soldiers under the command of General Zachary
Taylor to the border of the Nueces River.
Battle of Palo Alto (May 8, 1846)
Taylor declares his army victorious after Mexican troops retreat. It was the
first official battle of the Mexican War.
Battle at Resaca de la Palma (May 9, 1846)
The day after the Battle at Palo Alto, Taylor’s troops follow Mexico’s
retreating men to Resaca de la Palma (resaca is the Spanish term for a dry
riverbed) and were again victorious.
Battle of Monterey (July 7, 1846)
General Taylor’s army captured Monterey after fierce hand-to-hand combat
in the city streets.
Mexican War Battles (1846-1848)

43. August 14, 1846
U.S. Colonel Stephen Watts Kearney, whose first mission was to occupy New
Mexico, rode with troops into its capital of Santé Fe. He found it deserted and
easily took possession.
August-September 1846
Many U.S. volunteers assemble under General John E. Wool, who led them to
go join General Taylor and his troops.
Mexican War Battles (1846-1848)

44. US-Mexican War

46. General Winfield Scott
US general who captured Mexico City and forced Mexico to surrender.
General Winfield Scott: Led the Americans to victory during the Mexican War. Many American officers
in this war later fought against each other during the Civil War.

47. The Mexican War Map

48. Mexican War (1846-1848): End
V. Mexico surrendered Feb. 2, 1848.
A. The peace treaty was signed at Guadalupe Hidalgo.
1. Mexico ceded all land the U.S. conquered.
2. The United States paid $15 million for the land.
a. Felt guilty about the easy victory.
3. Mexico never forgave U.S. for this war and what we took.

49. The first war in which graduates of the U.S.
Military Academy at West Point participated.
Among these were a number of officers who
would later face each other across the battle-
fields of the Civil War: Robert E. Lee,
Thomas J. "Stonewall“ Jackson, Braxton Bragg,
Ulysses S. Grant, George Meade, George
McClellan, and William T. Sherman, to name
a few.
The War with Mexico “Number of Firsts"

50. U.S. Territorial Gains from Mexico

51. Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
The treaty that ended the US-Mexican War. It required Mexico to surrender
the New Mexico and California territories to the United States in exchange for
financial compensation. Signed on February 2, 1848

52. Gadsden Purchase
Agreement with Mexico that gave the United States parts of present-day
New Mexico and Arizona in exchange for $ 10 million.
VI. The Gadsden Purchase.
A. The U.S. paid 10 million dollars to Mexico for a small strip of
land south of New Mexico and Arizona.

53. Manifest Destiny (Part IV):
The Mormons & the California Gold Rush

54. Mormons
I. Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints.
A. Founded by Joseph Smith
1. Upset mainstream Christianity.
a. Allowed more than one wife (polygamy.)
b. Mormons were forced to move from place to place.
1b. New York to Ohio to Illinois.
c. Joseph Smith was murdered in 1844.
B. Brigham Young became new Mormon leader.
1. Led Mormons to Utah.
a. Salt Lake City was founded by Mormons.
Joseph Smith was murdered in 1844
Brigham Young: He took over
the Mormons after Joseph Smith
was murdered. His great-great
grandson was Steve Young,
former QB for San Francisco.
Brigham Young had 57 children
with 16 of his 27 wives.
Joseph Smith

55. Why Were Mormons Hated?
Polygamy- The practice of having more than one wife.

56. California Gold Rush: Discovery
I. The California Gold Rush.
A. Mexico never knew it, but gold was found in California in
January 1848.
1. One month before Mexico surrendered.
B. Gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill by James Marshall.
1. Along the American River near Sacramento, Ca.
a. Largest human migration in history begun.
Sutter’s Mill

57. Gold Fever
C. The 49ners (1849 settlers)
D. San Francisco grew from small town to a city overnight.
1. Murder and robberies increased
1a. Vigilantes groups formed to stop crime.
Vigilantes: Brought frontier
justice to California. Most of
the victims were Chinese
immigrants.

58. Gold Fever: Mining
Nuggets
Flakes
Dust
Mining for gold often was
backbreaking labor. Miners
frequently mined all day for only a
few flakes of gold. Only a very few
ever struck it rich.
Some miners bought expensive
devices to help them search for
gold.

59. Routes to the California Gold Fields 1848 # 1
By Sea
Method:
Sailed around Cape Horn and South America.
Distance:
17,000 Miles
Time of travel:
5-8 Months
Hazards:
Storms and seasickness.
Advantages:
Little disease and safest mode of travel.
Cost:
About $300.00

60. Routes to the California Gold Fields 1848 # 2
By Sea and Land
Method:
Sailed through the Isthmus of Panama
Distance:
5,500 Miles
Time of travel:
3-3 1/2 Months
Hazards:
Storms, overcrowded ships, and disease.
Advantages:
Fastest mode of travel, open all year.
Cost:
About $400.00

61. Routes to the California Gold Fields 1848 # 3
By Land
Method:
Overland by wagons and carts.
Distance:
2,000 Miles
Time of travel:
4 Months (at 20 miles a day)
Hazards:
Heat, fever, hostile Indians, an diseases.
Advantages:
Cheapest cost of travel.
Cost:
Personal traveling expenses-
Wagons, mules, equipment, and food.

62. Posters such as this one lured thousands of Americans living in the East to California. Many of these
posters were placed by greedy scam artists to lure people to California with false reports of huge gold
strikes.
Gold Fever: Advertising

63. Levi Strauss: A German immigrant made his fortunes by
selling pants made out of tent material. These pants were
more durable than other material. Today, we call these
pants “Levis” or jeans.
Levi Strauss
Gold Fever: Fun Facts
Thousands of get-rich-quick
prospectors went to California to
strike it rich. Many lost their
savings and went bankrupt. They
became known as the 49ners.
A NFL football team is named after
them.

64. Gold Rush of 1849
Attracted thousands to California and eventually led to statehood for the
territory in 1850.
California settlers were called "49ers."

65. Brigham Young & the Mormons
Mormons- Moved west to escape religious persecution and found their own
settlement in what is today Utah.
Brigham Young- Led the Mormons to Salt Lake City, Utah.

66. Mining Towns and
“Boom Towns” Map

67. Boom Towns
I. Precious metals (gold, silver, copper, and lead.)
A. These sought after metals were found out west.
1. Miners and other prospectors rushed to mining sites to "strike it rich."
B. Mining towns grew almost overnight.
1. Pike's Peak, Co., Virginia City, NV, Deadwood, Dakota Territory.
C. By 1890, $300 million in gold and silver was mined from the Rocky
Mountains.
1. Mining towns were rough places to live.
a. Salons, gunfights, hookers, and whiskey.
b. When mines quit producing metals, the towns died. (ghost towns)

68. Compromise of 1850
Congress admitted California as a free state on September 9, 1850.