Manifest Destiny and Texas Independence

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Which of the following BEST describes the concept of Manifest Destiny?

  • The political strategy of establishing colonies overseas in the Pacific and Caribbean.
  • The economic policy of westward expansion, focused on resource extraction and trade.
  • The belief that the United States was divinely ordained to expand its power and civilization across North America. (correct)
  • The social movement promoting equal rights for all peoples including native Americans and newly freed slaves.

What was a primary cause of the conflict between American settlers in Texas and the Mexican government?

  • Disputes over land ownership and the boundary of the Rio Grande River.
  • The forced conversion of American settlers to Catholicism.
  • The American settlers' desire to establish trade relationships with Pacific islands.
  • The Mexican government’s attempts to enforce its laws on slavery and immigration. (correct)

Which event marked the beginning of the Texas Revolution?

  • Stephen F. Austin's initial migration of 300 families into Texas.
  • Texas's formal request to the United States to be annexed as a new state.
  • The Battle of San Jacinto, where General Santa Anna was captured.
  • The declaration of Texas independence from Mexico by a group of American settlers. (correct)

Why did Presidents Jackson and Van Buren hesitate to annex Texas?

<p>They were concerned that annexing Texas would upset the balance between slave and free states. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary outcome of the Battle of San Jacinto?

<p>The establishment of Texas as an independent nation with its territory north of the Rio Grande. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary outcome of the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842?

<p>The disputed territory between Canada and Maine was split. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the conflicting claims over the Oregon Territory?

<p>Mainly contested by Great Britain due to fur trading and the US due to exploration and population. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the election of 1844 affect the expansion of the United States?

<p>It led to the division of the Democratic party over Texas annexation and the election of an expansionist candidate. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Preemption Acts passed by Congress?

<p>To allow homesteaders the right to settle and purchase public lands at low prices. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary driving force behind the growth of urban centers in the West?

<p>Railroads, mining opportunities, and the growth of farming attracted professionals and business owners. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the expansion of foreign commerce during this era primarily result from?

<p>Growth in manufactured and agricultural goods that led to increased exports and imports. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Commodore Matthew C. Perry's mission to Japan?

<p>To open Japanese ports for trade with the U.S. and end their period of isolation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial purpose of John Slidell's mission to Mexico?

<p>To persuade Mexico to sell New Mexico and California territories to the US and clarify the Texas border. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following events directly triggered the start of the Mexican-American War?

<p>The Mexican army crossed the Rio Grande and captured and killed US soldiers. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Bear Flag Republic in the context of the Mexican-American War?

<p>It was the initial name given to California after it was taken from Mexican rule. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a key term in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

<p>Mexico recognized the Rio Grande as the southern border of Texas and ceded California and New Mexico for a payment. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main point of contention regarding the Wilmot Proviso?

<p>Whether slavery should be permitted in any territory acquired from Mexico. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the slogan 'Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!' refer to?

<p>The position of expansionists who wanted all of Oregon, including the 54°40′ latitude. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a typical danger encountered by travelers on the Overland Trails?

<p>Frequent attacks from well-organized and heavily armed Native American militias. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primary factor led to the dramatic population boom in California starting in 1848?

<p>The discovery of gold and the subsequent Gold Rush. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Flashcards

Manifest Destiny

The belief that the United States had a God-given right and mission to expand its territory across North America.

Texas

A region in present-day Texas that was originally part of Mexico, became independent in 1836, and joined the US in 1845.

Battle of San Jacinto

The battle that resulted in the victory of the Texan forces led by Sam Houston, leading to Texas independence from Mexico in 1836.

Annexation

The process of adding a new state to the United States.

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Sam Houston

The leader of the Texan independence movement, who later became the second president of the Republic of Texas.

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Joint Resolution

A resolution approved by a simple majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

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Aroostook War

A conflict between the U.S. and Britain over territory in the 1840s, ultimately resolved through a treaty.

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Webster-Ashburton Treaty

A treaty signed in 1842 that resolved the Aroostook War, settling the border between Maine and British Canada.

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Oregon Territory

The disputed territory in the Pacific Northwest that sparked tensions between the U.S., Great Britain, Russia, and Spain in the early 19th century.

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49th Parallel

The 49th parallel, the line that divided the Oregon territory between the U.S. and Great Britain.

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James K. Polk

The 1844 Democratic presidential candidate who championed the idea of expanding the U.S. territory.

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Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!

A popular slogan during the 1844 presidential election, representing the desire to acquire the entire Oregon Territory, up to the 54th parallel.

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Fur Traders

The first pioneers to explore the Western frontier, primarily involved in trading furs with Native Americans.

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Overland Trails

The movement of settlers westward to California and Oregon, using established trails like the Oregon and California Trails.

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Gold Rush

A period in 1848 when thousands of people flocked to California in search of gold, leading to rapid growth and the development of mining camps and towns.

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Preemption Acts

Laws passed by Congress in the 1800s allowing people to settle on public lands and purchase them at low prices.

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Urban Frontier

The growth of Western cities like San Francisco, Denver, and Salt Lake City, fueled by factors like railroads, mineral wealth, and agriculture.

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Foreign Commerce

The expansion of trade between the U.S. and other countries, fueled by increased production of manufactured and agricultural goods.

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Mexican-American War

A conflict between the U.S. and Mexico, triggered by disputed territory and resulting in the acquisition of vast lands by the U.S.

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Study Notes

Manifest Destiny and U.S. Expansion

  • Background: Expansionists aimed for westward expansion to the Pacific Coast and southward into Mexico, Cuba, and Central America. This era saw the US acquiring islands in the Pacific and Caribbean. The concept of Manifest Destiny – the US's divine right to expand its power and influence across North America – became prevalent.

Texas Independence

  • Mexican Independence: Texas's independence began with Mexico's independence from Spain in the 1820s. Mexico encouraged American settlement.
  • American Settlement: American settlers, including farmers and slaveholders, rapidly outnumbered Mexicans in Texas by 1830.
  • Conflict: Mexico's prohibition of slavery (1829) and religious conversion requirements were ignored. A strained relationship grew.
  • Texas Independence Declaration: In 1836, Texans revolted against Mexican dictator Antonio López de Santa Anna, declaring independence. The battles of the Alamo and Goliad were significant turning points.
  • Santa Anna's Capture: Sam Houston's forces captured Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, leading to a treaty recognizing Texas independence.

Texas Annexation

  • Initial Rejection: Texas petitioned for annexation to the US, but presidents Jackson and Van Buren delayed due to opposition over Texas's slave status.
  • Senate Rejection: President John Tyler, a southern Whig, worked for annexation but the Senate rejected it.
  • Successful Annexation: Congress eventually passed a joint resolution annexing Texas in 1846.

Conflicts Over Texas, Maine, and Oregon

  • Maine Dispute: Boundary disputes between Maine and British Canada existed. The Aroostook War, a conflict between lumber workers, ensued. The Webster-Ashburton Treaty resolved this conflict and settled the border between Canada and Minnesota.
  • Oregon Dispute: The Oregon Territory was claimed by several nations, including the US, Great Britain and others. The Adams-Onis Treaty removed Spanish claims. Fur trading (Hudson Bay Company) was a key British interest.
  • US Claim: The US claim was based on explorations like Lewis and Clark, and rising American population in the area (Oregon Trail).
  • "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!": President Polk used the slogan to advocate for American claims to the entire Oregon Territory. A treaty with Britain divided the territory along the 49th parallel.

Election of 1844

  • Democratic Party Split: The Democratic party faced divisions over Texas annexation and the expansion of slavery.
  • Polk's Victory: James K. Polk, a "dark horse" candidate committed to Manifest Destiny, emerged victorious and ran on the campaign plank "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!"
  • Polk and Clay: Henry Clay, the Whig candidate, shifted positions on Texas annexation, losing critical votes.

Settlement of the Western Territories

  • Fur Traders' Frontier: Mountain men (fur traders) were early pioneers in the West, facilitating trade with Native Americans.
  • Overland Trails: Pioneers on trails like the Oregon, California, Santa Fe, and Mormon Trails migrated westward. Disease and harsh conditions were major challenges.
  • Mining Frontier: The Gold Rush of 1848 brought a surge of people to California, leading to rapid population growth. Chinese workers played a large role in these efforts.
  • Farming Frontier: Squatters' rights were established through Preemption Acts in Congress, allowing settlement and purchase of public land.
  • Urban Frontier: Western cities like San Francisco, Denver, and Salt Lake City grew due to railroads, mineral resources, and farming opportunities.

Foreign Commerce

  • Increased Trade: The development of manufactured and agricultural goods contributed to growth in exports and imports.
  • Shipping & Transportation Advancement: Regular shipping schedules, improved ships, and steamships decreased travel times across the Atlantic and Asia.
  • Whaling Boom: The demand for whale oil fuelled a whaling industry from 1830 to 1860.
  • Trade with Asia: American merchants traded with China for tea, silk, and porcelain. Commodore Perry's expeditions opened Japan.

Conflict with Mexico

  • Slidell Mission: John Slidell sought to purchase California and New Mexico, as well as settle the border dispute (a failure).
  • Rio Grande Dispute: Military conflict began over whether the border was the Rio Grande or the Nueces River.
  • Mexican-American War Initiation: Armed conflict was provoked following a Mexican attack on American forces.

Mexican-American War's Impact

  • Mexican Loss: The US emerged victorious.
  • Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: This treaty recognized the Rio Grande as the Texas border, secured California and New Mexico, and involved a significant $15 million payment to Mexico.
  • Wilmot Proviso: This proposed ban on slavery in newly acquired territories, passed the House but not Senate, intensified sectional tensions.

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