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Manifest Destiny and Political Turmoil Between the U.S. and Mexico, 1830s-1840s

This overview explores the complex relationship between the United States and Mexico during the 1830s and 1840s, focusing on the concept of Manifest Destiny—a belief that Americans were destined to expand across North America. Promoted by key figures like John L. O'Sullivan and U.S. presidents, this ideology justified territorial expansion but excluded non-Europeans. Concurrently, Mexico faced chronic political instability with frequent changes in leadership. The disputes over Texas boundaries intensified these tensions, leading to conflict and shaping the future of both nations.

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Manifest Destiny and Political Turmoil Between the U.S. and Mexico, 1830s-1840s

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  1. Three Background Issues United States and Mexico, 1830s-1840s

  2. I. American Expansionism • Manifest Destiny: a body of ideas promoting American expansionism • God had ordained that Americans would inhabit vast territories in North America • Pervasive idea promoted by newspapers and coined by John L. O’Sullivan • Also promoted by U. S. presidents such as John Q. Adams, Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk

  3. Manifest Destiny • American sense of mission- to civilize the wilderness, spread democratic principles to those capable of benefiting from them • Excluded non-Europeans (Indians, Blacks, etc.)

  4. Opposition to Manifest Destiny • Northerners: due to their conviction that southern slavery would be expanded in new territories • Southerners: some opposed due to the possible acquisition of non-whites • Others believe that inclusion of non-whites would be destructive to democratic ideals and divisive. • American Anti-slavery Society, Frederick Douglas, and Henry David Thoreau

  5. II. Politics in Mexico • Mexico plagued by chronic political instability • 1821-1871- 50 Mexican presidents in office • 1821-1848-almost all presidents overthrown • Political factions: Centralists, Federalists, • Mexican politics prevents consistent approach to problems with Texas Revolt and Polk administration

  6. III. Texas Boundary Dispute • Article 4, The Treaty of Velasco • Asserted the Rio Grande as Texas’ southern boundary • Mexico believes the boundary is at the Nueces • Maps in Mexico indicated the Nueces as the boundary in 1767, 1829, 1833, 1836 • Treaty of Limits: asserted the boundary at Nueces, Texas as Mexican territory (1831) • President James K. Polk supports Texas claims to the R.G.

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