Transcript Manifest Destiny - IB-History-of-the-Americas

Manifest Destiny
#1
Essential Question:
• How did the United States pursue its goal of
“manifest destiny?”
Objectives:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
#2
Why did American settlers head west during the 1800s?
What was the impact of westward expansion on Native Americans?
Where were the western trails located and who used them?
Why did Mexico encourage American settlement of Texas?
Why did America and Mexico come into conflict over Texas?
What were the conflicting American attitudes on waging war with
Mexico?
What were the key battles that helped America win the war with
Mexico?
What territories were gained from Mexico?
Manifest Destiny & Westward Expansion
Although the term “Manifest Destiny” was not
actually coined until 1844, the belief that the
American nation was destined to eventually expand
all the way to the Pacific Ocean, and to possibly
embrace Canada and Mexico, had been voiced for
years by many who believed that American liberty
and ideals should be shared with everyone possible,
by force if necessary. The rising sense of
nationalism which followed the War of 1812 was
fed by the rapidly expanding population, the reform
movement of the 1830s, and the desire to acquire
new markets and resources for the blossoming
economy of “Young America.”
#3
Early Expansion
1603-1803
#4
The U.S. had acquired the
territory west of the
Appalachians to the
Mississippi River as a
result of the Treaty of
Paris of 1783 with Great
Britain.
Some states claimed
much of this area, a claim
that was opposed by other
states, especially
Maryland, which had no
claims. These states
claimed that the territory
had been acquired
through the common
efforts of all states in the
Revolution. Plus they
feared that states with
land claims would expand
their & overpower smaller
states. They refused to
ratify the Articles of
Confederation until states
with land claims turned
over their claims to this
territory to Congress,
which it finally did, with
conditions, in 1781.
Formal adoption of the
Articles of Confederation
came in 1781 with
Maryland’s ratification.
#5
Northwest Ordinance
.
(1787)
.
Passed by the Articles of
Confederation Congress and
later reaffirmed as federal law
by the new U.S. Congress
under the Constitution in 1789,
this plan provided for the
government of the Northwest
Territory, an area of more than
265,000 square miles. The 2stage plan by which territories
could become states provided
that:
1) When an area had a
population of more than 5,000
adult males, it could establish
a territorial government
consisting of an elected
legislative house plus a
legislative council, and a
governor & judges appointed
by Congress.
#6
2) As soon as the population
of any territory reached 60,000
free inhabitants, the voters
could elect delegates to write a
state constitution, elect and
appoint state government
officials, and apply for
statehood. When their
constitution was approved by
Congress, that territory
became a state.
The Louisiana Purchase 1803
#7
#8
U.S. Constitution - Article 2 Section 2
Article 2 - The Executive Branch
Section 2 - Civilian Power Over Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power,
Appointments
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United
States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service
of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer
in each of the executive Departments, upon any subject relating to the Duties of
their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons
for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make
Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall
nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint
Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and
all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein
otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress
may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in
the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the
Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the
#9
End of their next Session.
Oregon Country
#10
Louisiana, Oregon & The Far West Fur Trade
A variety of adventurers explored the newly acquired
territory of Louisiana and the lands beyond. John Jacob
Astor established a fur post at the mouth of the
Columbia River in Oregon Country, which he named
Astoria. This challenged the British claim to the
northwest. Though he was forced to sell out his
establishment to the British, he lobbied Congress to pass
trade restrictions against British furs, and eventually
became the first millionaire from the profits of the
American fur company. The growing trade with the
Orient (Asia) in furs and other specialty goods was
sharpening the desire of many businessmen for
American ports on the Pacific coast.
#11
John Jacob Astor
Born: July 17, 1763 in Germany
Died: 1848 in New York
#12
The Oregon Country
The Adams-Onis Treaty of
1819 had set the northern
boundary of Spanish
possessions near the present
northern border of California.
The territory north of that line
and west of the vague
boundaries of the Louisiana
Territory had been claimed
over the years by Spain,
Britain, Russia, France, and
the United States. By the
1820s, all these claims had
been yielded to Britain and the
U.S. Britain established a fur
trading company and claimed
land south to the Columbia
River. The U.S. claimed all the
way north to the 54’40’’
parallel. Unable to settle the
dispute, they had agreed on a
joint occupation of the
disputed land.
#13
The Oregon Country & The Oregon Trail
In the 1830s, American missionaries followed the traders and trappers to the Oregon country, They began to publicize
the richness and beauty of the land, sending back official reports on their work, which were published in the new
inexpensive “penny press” papers. The result was the “Oregon Fever” of the 1840s, as thousands of settlers trekked
across the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains using the Oregon Trail to settle the new paradise.
#14
The Settlement of Oregon
Part 1
A major issue in the election
campaign of 1844, Oregon at this
time comprised all the land
bounded on the east by the Rocky
Mountains, the west by the Pacific
Ocean, the south by latitude 42’,
and the north by the boundary of
Russian-held Alaska at 54’40’’.
The area had been under joint
occupation of the U.S. and Britain
since 1818, but Democrats in the
election of 1844 had called for U.S.
ownership of all of Oregon.
Though this stand had helped him
win the election, James K. Polk had
little desire to fight the British for
land he considered unsuitable for
agriculture and unavailable for
slavery, which he favored. And
trouble seemed to be brewing with
Mexico over territory Polk
considered far more desirable.
#15
. . . Besides the recovery of the country lost, or jeoparded [jeopardized] by our
diplomacy of 1818, the settlers in Oregon will also recover and open for us the
North American road to India! This road lies through the South Pass, and the
mouth of the Oregon [River]; and as soon as the settlements are made, our
portion of the North American continent will immediately commence its
Asiatic trade on this new and national route. This great question I explored
some years ago, and only refer to it now to give a glimpse of the brilliant
destiny which awaits the population of the Oregon valley. Twenty-two years
ago, President Monroe, in a message to the two Houses of Congress,
proclaimed the principle as fundamental in American policy, that no part of
North America was open to European colonization, domination, interference,
or influence of any kind [Monroe Doctrine]. That declaration had its reference
to Great Britain and the Oregon [region], and it found its response in the hearts
of all Americans. Time has not weakened that response, but confirmed it; and
if any European power develops a design upon Texas, the response will apply
to it also. . . .
Source: Senator Thomas Hart Benton, Speech to the Senate on the Oregon
Territory, June 3, 1844, Congressional Globe, 28th Congress, 1st Session
#16
The Settlement of Oregon
Part 2
By the terms of the Oregon Treaty
(1846), a compromise solution was
reached. The current U.S.-Canada
Boundary east of the Rockies (49’)
Was extended westward to the
Pacific Ocean, thus securing Puget
Sound (1 of only 3 natural harbors
on the Pacific coast).
Some northern Democrats were
angered and felt betrayed by Polk’s
failure to insist on all of Oregon,
but the Senate readily accepted the
treaty.
#17
The United States Acquires Florida
#18
General Andrew Jackson
Great Britain gained control of Florida diplomatically in 1763 after the French & Indian War through the Peace of Paris. Spain
regained Florida after Britain's defeat by the American colonies and the subsequent Treaty of Versailles (1783).
After the War of 1812, General Andrew Jackson began to hear rumors about the Seminole Indians in Florida attacking settlements
and using the Spanish territory there for protection. Fugitive slaves were also fleeing to the area and then launching raids on
nearby plantations. By 1817, the problem became more severe as settlers continued to flood the area. Jackson therefore led 2,000
troops across the border into Florida, he seized the Spanish capital and the governor of Florida, and announced himself the new
leader of the area.
Jackson was, therefore, shocked when President James Monroe restored the Florida territory to the Spanish. The Seminoles also
demanded their land back, and a government official gave them four million acres–enraging Jackson even further. He left for
Washington to argue his case to Congress who voted down resolutions supporting the Monroe administration's actions. For its
part, Spain sold Florida to the U.S. in 1819 for five million dollars in the Adams-Onis Treaty after realizing how easily the U.S.
could take the land militarily for free. The U.S. also pledged to renounce any claims on another Spanish possession, Texas.
On March 3, 1845, Florida became the 27th state of the United States of America.
#19
The Paths of Manifest Destiny
#20
NEW MEXICO & THE SANTA FE TRAIL
The Mexican district of New Mexico had, like Texas, encouraged American immigration. Soon that district was more American than Mexican. The
Santa Fe Trail, running from Missouri to the town of Santa Fe, created a prosperous trade in mules, gold, silver, and furs, which moved north in
exchange for manufactured goods. American settlements sprung up all along the route. The Santa Fe Trail was a historic 19th century
transportation route across southwestern North America connecting Missouri with Santa Fe, New Mexico. First used in 1821 it served as a vital
commercial and military highway until the arrival of the railroad to Santa Fe in 1880. At first an international trade route between the United States
and Mexico, it served as the 1846 U.S. invasion route of New Mexico during the Mexican-American War. After the U.S. acquisition of the Southwest,
the trail helped open the region to U.S. economic development and settlement, playing a vital role in the expansion of the U.S. into the
lands it had acquired.
#21
•
CALIFORNIA & THE CALIFORNIA TRAIL
Though the Mexican officials in California had not encouraged it, American immigration nevertheless had been substantial.
Since the Missouri Compromise had established the northern limits for slavery at the 36’30’’ parallel, most of this Mexican
territory lay in the potential slaveholding domain, and many of the settlers carried their slaves with them.
The California Trail was a major overland emigrant route across the Western United States from Missouri to California in
the middle 19th century. It was used by 250,000 farmers and gold-seekers to reach the California gold fields and farm
homesteads in California from the early 1840s until the introduction of the railroads in the late 1860s.
#22
#23
•
THE MORMON TRAIL or MORMON PIONEER TRAIL or MORMON TREK
was the 1,300 mile route that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints traveled from 1846-1857. The
Saints were driven out of each of their settlements in the East due to conflicts with other settlers over religion. Although
the movement had split into several denominations after the death of Joseph Smith, Jr., in 1844, most members aligned
themselves with Brigham Young. Under Young's leadership, about 13,000 Mormon citizens set out to find a new home in
the West. At the shore of the Great Salt Lake in Utah, then in Mexican territory, they finally settled down.
#23a
Charles- G.
Finney
–
REVIEW
The
Mormons
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
Founded by Joseph Smith in
1830. Smith gathered a
following in Palmyra NY and
eventually migrated to Ohio,
Illinois, Missouri and eventually
Utah
“soul-shaking”
conversion
#23b
Charles
G. Finney
–
REVIEW
- The
Mormons
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
Brigham Young (1801-1877)
was a leader in the Latter Day
Saints movement and was the
president of the Church from
1847 until his death. Young
was also the first governor of
the Utah territory
“soul-shaking”
conversion
#23c
The Texas
.Question
#24
Manifest Destiny: Expansion
The Texas Revolution
Texas had been a state in the
Republic of Mexico since
1822, following the Mexican
Revolution against Spanish
control. The U.S. had offered
to buy the territory at this
time, since it had renounced
its claim to the area in the
Adams-Onis agreement of
1819.
#25
The new Mexican government
refused to sell, but invited
immigration from the north by
offering land grants to
Stephen F. Austin and other
Americans. They wanted to
increase the population of the
area and to produce revenue
($) for their new government.
By 1835, approximately
35,000 “gringos” were
homesteading on Texas land.
War was on the horizon.
Stephen F. Austin
Stephen F. Austin & Texas
#26
General Antonio
López de Santa
Anna
Texas Revolution Begins
The Alamo
The Mexican officials saw their power base eroding as foreigners flooded in, so
they moved to tighten control through restrictions on immigration and through tax
increases. The Texans responded in 1836 by proclaiming independence and
establishing a new republic. The ensuing war was short-lived. The Mexican
dictator, Antonia Lopez de Santa Anna advanced north and annihilated the
Texan garrisons at the Alamo.
#27
Colonel William B. Travis
Jim Bowie
Davy Crockett
(Commander of the Alamo) :
One of the first to fall, he
died defending the north
wall at an early hour on
March 6. He was 26 years
old.
(Co-commander of the
Alamo): Killed in his bed,
where he laid sick with
pneumonia, in a small
room in the south side. He
was 41 years old.
Answered Travis’s call for help in defending
the Alamo along with other volunteers. His
body was found in small fort in the west side.
He was 50 years old.
Bowie Knife
Texas Flag That Flew Over The Alamo
General Antonio
López de Santa Anna
#28
Battle of the Alamo, Mexicans and
Texans fight to the death
#29
The Republic of Texas
On April 23, 1836, Sam Houston
defeated Santa Anna at San Jacinto
and the Mexicans were forced to let
Texas go its way.
Sam Houston immediately asked the
U.S. government for recognition and
annexation, but President Andrew
Jackson feared the revival of the
slavery issue, as the new state would
come in on the slaveholding side of
the political balance. He also feared
war with Mexico and so did nothing.
When Jackson’s successor, President
Martin Van Buren also did nothing,
Texas sought foreign recognition and
support, which European nations
eagerly provided, hoping to create a
counterbalance to rising American
power and influence in the Southwest.
France and Britain quickly concluded
trade agreements with the Texans.
#30
Texas President Sam Houston
The Texas Issue
Texas President Sam Houston
Made much show of negotiating for
closer relations with Britain.
Southerners feared that Britain,
which opposed slavery, might
bring about its abolition in Texas
and then use Texas as a base to
undermine slavery in the American
South. Other Americans were
disturbed at the possibility of a
British presence in Texas because
of the obstacle it would present to
what many Americans were coming
to believe was, in the words of New
York journalist John L. O’Sullivan,
America’s “manifest destiny” to
overspread the continent.
#31
Manifest Destiny… the silent
driving force of U.S. expansionism
“to overspread the continent
allotted by Providence for the free
development of our yearly
multiplying millions.”
- John L. O’Sullivan
#32
1845
John C. Calhoun
The Annexation of Texas
President John Tyler’s new Secretary of State,
John C. Calhoun, negotiated an annexation
treaty with Texas. Calhoun’s relationship with
extreme proslavery forces and his addition of
proslavery statements into the wording of the
treaty caused the treaty’s rejection by the
Senate in 1844.
President John Tyler
#33
After the Election of 1844, “lame-duck”
President John Tyler made one more attempt to
achieve Texas annexation before leaving office.
By means of a joint-resolution, which unlike a
treaty required only a simple majority rather
than a two-thirds vote, Tyler was successful in
getting the measure through Congress. Texas
was finally admitted to the Union in 1845.
The Election of 1844
Democrat Candidate James K. Polk
Whig Candidate Henry Clay
Manifest Destiny & Sectional Stress
The Democrats generally favored the use of force, if necessary, to extend American borders. The Whigs
favored more peaceful means like diplomacy. Some Whigs, like Henry Clay, feared expansion
under any circumstances, because of its potential for aggravating the slavery issue.
#34
What’s A Whig?
The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era
of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System
and operating from 1832 to 1856, the party was formed to oppose the
policies of President Andrew Jackson and the Democratic Party. In
particular, the Whigs supported the supremacy of Congress over the
Executive Branch and favored a program of modernization and economic
development. Their name was chosen to echo the American Whigs of the
1770s who fought for independence. The Whig Party counted among its
members such national political luminaries as Daniel Webster, William
Henry Harrison, and their pre-eminent leader, Henry Clay of Kentucky. In
addition to Harrison, the Whig Party also counted four war heroes among its
ranks, including Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott. Its Illinois
leader eventually became Abraham Lincoln.
The party was ultimately destroyed by the question of whether to allow
the expansion of slavery to the territories. Deep fissures in the party on this
question led the party to run Winfield Scott over its own incumbent
President Fillmore in the U.S. presidential election of 1852. The Whig Party
never elected another President. Its leaders quit politics (as Lincoln did
temporarily) or changed parties. The voter base defected to the nativist
Know-Nothing Party, Republican Party, various coalition parties in some
states, and even to the Democrats.
#35
#36
11th President of the United States
Term: March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1849
Vice President: George M. Dallas
Born: November 3, 1795 North Carolina
Died: June 15, 1849 Nashville Tennessee
Political Party: Democratic
Democratic Nomination
The Democrats nominated dark horse candidate James Knox Polk was a staunch
Jacksonian who opposed protective tariffs and a national bank, but favored territorial
expansion, including not only annexation of Texas but also occupation of all the Oregon
Country (up to latitude 54’40’’) that was jointly occupied by the U.S. and Britain.
Polk’s Campaign Slogan
“Fifty-Four Forty Or Fight!”
General Election
The Whigs nominated Henry Clay who continued to oppose Texas annexation. On
November 5, 1844, Polk defeated Clay to become the eleventh president of the United
States. He won 170 electoral votes to Clay's 105, with a margin of victory was just
38,000 popular votes.
#37
The Settlement of Oregon
Part 1
A major issue in the election
campaign of 1844, Oregon at this
time comprised all the land
bounded on the east by the Rocky
Mountains, the west by the Pacific
Ocean, the south by latitude 42’,
and the north by the boundary of
Russian-held Alaska at 54’40’’.
The area had been under joint
occupation of the U.S. and Britain
since 1818, but Democrats in the
election of 1844 had called for U.S.
ownership of all of Oregon.
Though this stand had helped him
win the election, James K. Polk had
little desire to fight the British for
land he considered unsuitable for
agriculture and unavailable for
slavery, which he favored. And
trouble seemed to be brewing with
Mexico over territory Polk
considered far more desirable.
#38
The Mexican War 1846 – 1848
#39
THE MEXICAN WAR
Though Mexico broke diplomatic relations with the U.S. immediately upon Texas’s
admission to the Union, there was still hope of a peaceful settlement. Polk offered to
pay $5 million for the disputed land in southern Texas, $25 million for California, and $5
million for other Mexican territory in the far West. The Mexican government refused to
negotiate. Polk therefore sent U.S. troops under General Zachary Taylor (“Old Rough &
Ready”) into southern Texas just north of the Rio Grande. On April 5, 1846, Mexican
troops attacked. Polk asked for a declaration of war and received one from Congress
on May 13, 1846.
General Zachary Taylor's Army of Occupation in Mexico
#40
U.S. Constitution - Article 1 Section 8
Article 1 - The Legislative Branch
Section 8 - Powers of Congress
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the
Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States; but all
Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian
Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of
Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights
and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United
States;
To establish Post Offices and Post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors
and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against
the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on
Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer
Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
#41
. . . Instead of this, however, we have been exerting [putting forth] our
best efforts to propitiate [gain] her [Mexico’s] good will. Upon the
pretext that Texas, a nation as independent as herself, thought proper
to unite its destinies with our own, she has affected to believe that we
have severed [removed] her rightful territory, and in official
proclamations and manifestoes has repeatedly threatened to make war
upon us for the purpose of reconquering Texas. In the meantime we
have tried every effort at reconciliation [restoring harmony]. The cup
of forbearance [tolerance] had been exhausted even before the recent
information from the frontier of the Del Norte [Mexican-American
border]. But now, after reiterated [repeated] menaces, Mexico has
passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory
and shed American blood upon the American soil. She has proclaimed
that hostilities have commenced [begun], and that the two nations are
now at war. . . .
— President James K. Polk, Message to Congress, May 11, 1846
#42
The Mexican War
Americans were
sharply divided
about the war. Some
favored it because
they felt Mexico had
provoked the war, or
because they felt it
was the destiny of
America to spread
the blessings of
freedom to
oppressed peoples.
Others, generally
northern
abolitionists, saw in
the war the work of
a vast conspiracy of
southern
slaveholders greedy
for more slave
territory.
#43
“On Our Way to Rio Grande”
The Mexicans are on our soil
In war they wish us to embroil
They’ve tried their best and worst to vex [worry] us
By murdering our brave men in Texas
We’re on our way to Rio Grande
On our way to Rio Grande
On our way to Rio Grande
And with arms [guns] they’ll find us handy. . . .
Source: George Washington Dixon, 1846 song about the Mexican War;
Erik Bruun and Jay Crosby, eds.
Our Nation’s Archive, Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, 1999
#44
Prior to the Mexican War, President Polk sent John Slidell, a United States negotiator, to
Mexico to offer to settle the disputes between the two nations.
. . . And yet again, in his [President Polk’s] message of December
7, 1847, that “the Mexican Government refused even to hear the
terms of adjustment which he (our minister of peace) was
authorized to propose, and finally, under wholly unjustifiable
pretexts [reasons], involved the two countries in war, by invading
the territory of the State of Texas, striking the first blow, and
shedding the blood of our citizens on our own soil:” And
whereas this House [of Representatives] is desirous to obtain a
full knowledge of all the facts which go to establish whether the
particular spot on which the blood of our citizens was so shed
was or was not at that time our own soil: . . . .
#45
Source: Abraham Lincoln, “Spot” Resolutions in the House of Representatives,
December 22, 1847; Congressional Globe, 30th Congress, 1st Session
Some Americans criticized the
Mexican War, among them writer
Henry David Thoreau, who, to
display his protest, went to live at
Walden Pond and refused to pay his
taxes. Jailed for this, he wrote “Civil
Disobedience.” His tactics would
inspire others to use nonviolent
protest.
#46
More Examples of Non-Violent Protest
Rosa Parks protested segregation on the city’s bus
system in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955.
Photo of Rosa Parks fingerprinted after arrest on Montgomery
Alabama Bus.
Boxer Muhammad Ali refused to serve in the United States
Army during the Vietnam War as a conscientious objector,
because "War is against the teachings of the Holy Qur'an.
I'm not trying to dodge the draft. We are not supposed to
take part in no wars unless declared by Allah or The
Messenger. We don't take part in Christian wars or wars of
any unbelievers." Ali also famously said "I ain't got no
quarrel with those Vietcong" and "no Vietcong ever called
me n…….."
#47
This cartoon
depicts U.S.
General Zachary
Taylor sitting atop
the skulls of
Mexican-American
war casualties.
#48
. . . Regarding it as a war [Mexican War] to strengthen the “Slave
Power,” we are conducted to a natural conclusion, that it is virtually,
and in its consequences, a war against the free States of the Union.
Conquest and robbery are attempted in order to obtain a political
control at home; and distant battles are fought, less with a special view
of subjugating [conquering] Mexico, than with the design of
overcoming the power of the free States, under the constitution. The
lives of Mexicans are sacrificed in this cause; and a domestic question,
which should be reserved for bloodless debate in our own country, is
transferred to fields of battle in a foreign land. . . .
— Resolution passed by the Massachusetts Legislature opposing the Mexican War;
Massachusetts House Documents, 1847
#49
#50
Results of the Mexican War
The U.S. army executing deserters.
#51
Casualty
Statistics For
American Wars
#52
Casualty
Statistics For
American Wars
#53
#54
#55
The southern border of the United States west of El Paso, Texas, would look far different than it does today if it weren't
for the desire in the mid-1800s for a southern railroad route to the Pacific. Unfortunately, for those who dreamed of such
an all-weather route, the country north of the border was far too rugged to make a railroad economically feasible. But to
the south, in Mexico; that was another story.
Thanks to James Gadsden's friendship with Jefferson Davis, the U.S. Secretary of War, Gadsden was named Minister to
Mexico. His instructions, apparently designed by Gadsden himself, were to buy enough land from Mexico to clear the
way for the railroad project. In 1852, a deal was struck with Mexico's Santa Anna. For $10,000,000, the U.S. would get
over 45,000 square miles of land—land making up what is now southwestern New Mexico and southern Arizona. At
about 33 cents per acre of Chihuahuan and Sonoran desert and mountains, undoubtedly both Mexico and the U.S.
would agree that the Gadsden Purchase was a bargain for the U.S.
#56
#57
The Dave Matthews Band
Album: Before These Crowded Streets
Date: 1998
Lyrics for: Don't Drink The Water
Come out come out
No use in hiding
Come now come now
Can you not see?
There's no place here
What were you expecting
Not room for both
Just room for me
So you will lay your arms down
Yes I will call this home
Away away
You have been banished
Your land is gone
And given me
And here I will spread my wings
Yes I will call this home
What's this you say
You feel a right to remain
Then stay and I will bury you
What's that you say
Your father's spirit still lives in this place
I will silence you
#58
Here's the hitch
Your horse is leaving
Don't miss your boat
It's leaving now
And as you go I will spread my wings
Yes I will call this home
I have no time to justify to you
Fool you're blind, move aside for me
All I can say to you my new neighbor
Is you must move on or I will bury you
Now as I rest my feet by this fire
Those hands once warmed here
I have retired them
I can breathe my own air
I can sleep more soundly
Upon these poor souls
I'll build heaven and call it home
'Cause you're all dead now
I live with my justice
I live with my greedy need
I live with no mercy
I live with my frenzied feeding
I live with my hatred
I live with my jealousy
I live with the notion
That I don't need anyone but me
Don't drink the water
There's blood in the water
This painting (circa 1872) by John Gast called American Progress is an allegorical representation of Manifest Destiny. Here
Columbia, a personification of the United States, leads civilization westward with American settlers, stringing telegraph
wire as she travels and carrying a school book. The different economic activities of the pioneers are highlighted and,
especially, the changing forms of transportation. The American Indians and wild animals flee.
#59
Anti-
Territorial
Expansion
Slavery
Movement
A Clash of Interests
#60
American westward expansion is idealized in Emanuel Leutze's famous painting Westward the
Course of Empire Takes its Way (1861). The title of the painting, from a 1726 poem by Bishop
Berkeley, was a phrase often quoted in the era of Manifest Destiny, expressing a widely held belief
that civilization had steadily moved westward throughout history.
Once manifest destiny is achieved, however, a growing set
of problems will challenge the strength of America to
remain a unified nation. To be continued…
#61