Heimler's History: AP U.S. History - Unit 5 Overview

Time Period: 1844-1877

• Focus on westward expansion and Manifest Destiny.

Westward Expansion

• Americans were driven by the idea of westward expansion from the late 18th century to the mid-19th century.
• This included:
  • Expansion west of the Atlantic Coast.
  • Into the Ohio River Valley.
  • Louisiana Purchase.

Manifest Destiny

• Coined by John O'Sullivan in July 1845.
• Defined as the divine right given by Providence (God) for Americans to spread across the continent from Atlantic to Pacific.
• Extends later to Pacific and Caribbean islands.

Practical Reasons for Westward Expansion

1. Access to Resources:

   • Discovery of gold in California in 1848 sparked the Gold Rush.
   • Subsequent gold and silver findings in Colorado, Dakotas, Nevada.

2. Economic and Homesteading Opportunities:

   • Preemption Acts (1830s-1840s) offered cheap land for homesteading.
   • Mostly pursued by middle class due to migration costs.

3. Religious Refuge:

   • Mormons fled to Utah for religious freedom due to persecution over polygamy.
   • Continued migration to Utah over 20 years.

Political Influence of Manifest Destiny

• James K. Polk's Election (1844):
  • Advocated for Manifest Destiny.
  • Aimed to annex Texas and Oregon.

Texas

• Settled by Americans since the 1820s, belonged to Mexico.
• Conflict arose with Mexican laws on Catholicism and slavery.
• Texans revolted against Mexico, declaring independence in 1836.
• Mexican-American conflict led to Texas' eventual independence claim.
• U.S. annexation delayed due to potential war with Mexico.

Oregon

• Contested by Britain and the U.S. due to fur trade and settlement claims.
• Division resolved under Polk's presidency at the 49th parallel.

Conclusion

• Polk used his presidency to fulfill Manifest Destiny promises.
• Led to annexation activities laying groundwork for future conflicts.
• Next topics include the impact of Texas annexation on U.S.-Mexico relations.