Lecture 44: Manifest Destiny

Theme: Geography and the Environment

Learning Objective

• Explain the causes and effects of westward expansion from 1844 to 1877.

Key Concepts

Reasons for Westward Migration

• Economic Opportunities & Religious Refuge

  • Desire for access to natural and mineral resources.
  • Hope for economic opportunities.
  • Religious refuge.

• Gold Rush & Mineral Discoveries

  • 1848: Gold discovered in California leading to rapid settlement.
  • Mining operations developed, boosting California's population for statehood.
  • 1859: Silver discovered at Comstock Lode, Nevada.
  • 1874: Gold discovered in Black Hills, South Dakota (problematic due to Sioux treaty).

• Fur Trade in Pacific Northwest

  • Towns like Astoria, Oregon developed around fur trade.

• Mormon Migration

  • Mormons moved west to Utah under Brigham Young for religious refuge.
  • Established Salt Lake City as a major settlement.

Manifest Destiny

• Concept & Advocacy

  • Expansion justified by Manifest Destiny and superiority of American institutions.
  • Popularized by journalist John O. Sullivan.
  • Prominent figures like Horace Greeley and Mark Twain promoted westward movement.

• Territorial Acquisitions (1844-1877)

  • Texas annexed in 1845.
  • Oregon territory split with Britain at the 49th parallel.
  • Mexican Cession in 1848 (Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo).
  • Gadsden Purchase for southern railroad line.

Government Encouragement of Westward Migration

• Legislation
  • Preemption Act (1841): Allowed early settlement; squatters could purchase land later.
  • Pacific Railway Act (1862): Land grants for transcontinental railroad; completed in 1869.
  • Homestead Act (1862): Offered 160 acres for free if improved over 5 years.

Expansion of Trade and Foreign Policy

• Economic & Diplomatic Initiatives

  • West Coast ports facilitated faster trade with Asia.
  • Interest in Asian markets led to trade expansion efforts.

• Opening Trade with Japan

  • Commodore Matthew Perry's mission to open Japanese trade.
  • Treaty of Kanagawa established trade relations with Japan.

Recap

• American settlers moved west for opportunities and believed it was their destiny.
• U.S. expansion reached the Pacific after Mexican-American War.
• Federal legislation encouraged western migration.
• U.S. expanded foreign trade and influence into Asia.

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