Manifest Destiny, Slavery, and Western Expansion: A Path to Conflict

1. Agenda

2. Manifest Destiny & Slavery and Western Expansion • Manifest Destiny was the idea that the nation was meant to spread to the Pacific Ocean. • Opportunities that drew settlers to the west included farming in fertile soil, entering the fur trade and trading with foreign nations

3. Manifest Destiny • If elected, James Polk promised to: • Annex Texas and the Oregon Territory • Buy California from Mexico • Mexico previously owned the land that became Texas and California

4. War with Mexico • The US and Mexico disputed the border of some land along the Nueces River • In 1846 the US sent troops to the border and waited for Mexican troops to fire first • When news of an attack reached Washington DC, Congress declared war • After gaining independence from Mexico, California was known as the Bear Flag Republic

5. The War with Mexico • War continued with Mexico until US troops marched into Mexico and captured Mexico City • Mexican leader’s were compelled to sign the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

6. The Treaty • Treaty provisions • US Acquired over 1 mil. sq. mi. of territory • CA, NV, UT, AZ, NM & parts of CO, WY • Rio Grande River is southern Texas border • US paid Mexico $15 million and took over $3.25 million in debts owed to US citizens • Cost: • $18.25 million • 12,000 American lives • New arguments that will begin to surface regarding slavery

8. New Territories: Slave or Free? • Popular Sovereignty – settlers in the territories decide whether they want to be a slave state or a free state • Gold Rush boosted California’s population • CA applied to enter union as free state • Current balance was 15 to 15 – CA would tip scale • South would lose power in Senate and feared slavery would be outlawed • South started threatening secession

9. Compromise of 1850

11. Fugitive Slave Act • Slave holder or slave catcher only had to point out an alleged runaway • No way to prove otherwise- couldn’t testify • An affidavit proclaiming escape or testimony by white witnesses was enough to send prisoner south to slavery • Federal commissioners were paid $10 rule in favor of slave owner and $5 for ruling in favor of accused • Required federal marshals to assist slave catchers • Could deputize citizens

13. Underground Railroad • Network of abolitionists who helped slaves escape to the North • Harriet Tubman was an escaped slave who led many slaves to freedom

15. Transcontinental Railroad • A railroad stretching from the east coast to the west coast • Another disagreement between North and South…. • South wanted route from New Orleans • North wanted route from Chicago and through territory to be called Nebraska • Another argument over slavery in the territories • South wanted Miss. Comp repealed • North wanted Popular Sovereignty to prevail in Nebraska

17. Kansas- Nebraska Act • The Kansas Nebraska Act: • Repealed the Missouri Compromise • Made popular sovereignty the way in which slavery was determined in Kansas/Nebraska • Without this compromise the South threatened to secede from the Union

19. What happens next? • The slave crisis deepens and we are on the verge of civil war