SSUSH8B: Manifest Destiny

SSUSH8B:

Manifest Destiny

Learning Target

I can explain Manifest Destiny and how it was fulfilled.

SSUSH8: Explore the relationship between slavery, growing north-south divisions, and Westward Expansion that led to the outbreak of the Civil War

B. James K. Polk's presidency in the fulfillment of Manifest Destiny including the Texas annexation

The Westward Expansion

• James A. Polk became the 11th President of the US after winning a close election in 1844. Once in office he added the nation's western lands by annexing (to add territory to one's own territory by appropriation (a sum of money or total assets devoted to a special purpose).

• Many American believed that expansion across the continent was the destiny of the US. Others worried that the bold acquisition of land would lead to war.

• The actions of James K. Pos during his presidency did both (1) added territory to the US and (2) fight a war with Mexico over expansion.

Multiple Choice

True or False. James K. Polk added to the nation's eastern lands by annexing Texas and part of Oregon.

• True

• False

Westward Expansion

• Americans have always looked westward. As the coastal plains filled, colonists arriving from Europe sought unclaimed land in the backcountry of each colony. After the French and Indian War, settlers crossed the Appalachians and entered the Tennessee and Ohio River Basins.

• After the American Revolution, settlers began to fill the Ohio Valley and moved into western Georgia and Alabama. The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 doubled the size of America's land holdings and brought new opportunities to one westward into the Mississippi River Valley.

Westward Expansion

Florida, the last piece of foreign held territory in the east was acquired in 1819 from Spain. By 1850, Americans had settled California, Oregon, and Washington on the Pacific Coast. The process of settlement took 150 years to the reach the Appalachians, 50 years to reach the MS River and another 30 years to settle the Pacific states. Americas believed such rapid expansion must have been a result of divine favor referred to as Manifest Destiny.

Manifest Destiny

• Manifest Destiny was a phrase coined to describe the belief that America was to expand and settle the entire continent of North America. The Phrase originated in 1845 when John L. O'Sullivan, a newspaper editor, wrote the it was America's "Manifest destiny to overspread the continent allowed by Providence for free development of our yearly multiplying millions."

• https://youtu.be/DhEYVzXea9w

Factors For Moving West

• Three factors encouraged families in the eastern states to move into the Midwest:

• First, American Indians were removed from the region. 

• Second, land speculators acquired large tracts of land and were eager to sell. 

• Third, as the national infrastructure moved westward it was easier to migrate west. 

Multiple Choice

True or False. American Indians were removed from the western region.

• true

• false

Oregon Territory Negotiation

Polk also faced a decision about how to fulfill the campaign promise of acquiring Oregon that was also claimed by Great Britain.

Since 1818, Great Britain and the United States had essentially shared claim to Oregon through a treaty that was signed between the two nations calling for joint occupation

Oregon Annexation

• Polk ultimately negotiated with Great Britain concerning Oregon to avoid armed conflict over the region. 

• nstead of acquiring the entire Oregon territory to the 54 40" line, a compromise was reached.

• The Oregon territory would be divided and the northern section would remain in Great Britain's possession and the southern section would be annexed by the United States.

• The Senate ratified the Oregon Treaty in 1846, the same year the United States went to war with Mexico over Texas.

Texas Annexation

Texas was annexed and when Polk took office it was up to him to deal with Mexico's reaction to the American claim to land they viewed as their own.​ Increasing numbers of American settlers filled the region north of the Rio Grande, particularly in the 1820s and 1830s. ​

This resulted in a successful drive for Texas independence and a push for annexation that soon after the United States recognized the Texas Republic on March 3, 1837.

James K. Polk

• The nominating convention was at an impasse between the two Democrats until the Party finally nominated James K. Polk from Tennessee.

• He was a true expansionist who believed in Manifest Destiny and wanted to annex Texas and take claim of Oregon and California.

• His campaign slogan, "Fifty-four Forty or Fight!" was a reference to the latitudinal boundary between the Oregon Territory and Russian held Alaska. 

Multiple Choice

True or False. James K. Polk became the eleventh President of the United States after winning a close election in 1844.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

True or False. Many Americans believed that expansion across the continent was the destiny of the United States.

• true

• false

SSUSH8B

James K. Polk was a strong supporter of Manifest Destiny.

Manifest Destiny was the belief that US needed to control land between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean.

Texas Annexation-increased the numbers of Americans settlers filled the region north of the Rio Grande, particularly in the 1820's and 1830's. This resulted in a successful drive for Texas independence and a push for annexation that soon after the US recognized the Texas Republic on March 3, 1837.