5.2 Manifest Destiny
The belief that the United States had a special mission to expand over the entire North American Continent.
Manifest Destiny
President during the Mexican-American War and an ardent expansionist.
James K. Polk
Amendment prohibiting "slavery nor involuntary servitude" in "any part of said territory." (land gained from Mexican-American War)
House passed Amendment but not Senate
Wilmot Proviso
Areas of American prairie states experienced ecological damage due to huge clouds of soil
Dust Bowl
One of the three major causes of Westward Expansion
- A desire for access to natural and mineral resources
- The hope for economic opportunities
- Religious refuge
What was President Polk trying to convince congress to do when he made this speech:
“cup of forbearance has been exhausted, even before Mexico passed the boundary of the United States, invaded our territory, and shed American blood upon American soil.”
Declare war on Mexico
A controversial political doctrine according to which the people of federal territories should decide for themselves whether their territories would enter the Union as free or slave states.
Popular Sovereignty
The Cuban Missile Crisis
A force of 187 men held San Antonio taking refuge behind the walls of a former mission compound called the Alamo. Which conflict was this a part of?
The Texas Revolution
Why did many Northerners oppose the Mexican-American War, often referring to it as "Polk's War"
(Will accept one of two possible answers)
- They feared gaining territory would expand slavery
- They disapproved of expansion, and viewed America as the aggressor
Despite losing the election of 1848 to Zachary Taylor, Martin Van Buren proved that opposing slavery was a popular sentiment by forming this successful 3rd party.
Free-Soil Party
A large hurricane that caused major destruction and loss of life along the Gulf Coast of the United States. The federal government was widely blamed for its slow response to the crisis,
Hurricane Katrina
In the 1830s, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Catholic missionaries made the 6-month journey to the Willamette Valley, a green land of rich soil, mild climate, and tall forests. By 1840, there were about 500 Americans in the region.
Oregon
Name one of the two main agreements reached on February 1848 in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
- Mexico accepted the Rio Grande as the Texas boundary
- Mexico ceded New Mexico and upper California to the U.S. for $15 million
- The Southern portion of New Mexico and Arizona would be bought for $10 million in 1853 in the Gadsden Purchase
In October 1849 California drew up a state constitution that outlawed slavery. Why did this upset some members of congress.
It would upset the balance between slave states and free states in congress.
36th President of the United States. He became president after John F. Kennedy is assassinated.
Lyndon Johnson
One of the two major laws created by the American government to encourage westward expansion
- Pacific Railway Act
- Homestead Act
Effects of the Mexican-American War.
(Whoever can name more of the three major effects gets the points)
-Nationalism: Feelings of nationalism and manifest destiny were strengthened
-Slavery Debate: Debates over the status of slavery in the territories was intensified
-Native American Conflict: Conflict with Native Americans continued and intensified as white Americans moved West
Henry Clay came up with the Compromise of 1850 which included.
(Whoever names more of the 4 main parts of the compromise)
Free states gained:
- The admission of California as a free state
-The abolition of the slave trade in Washington D.C.
Slave states gained:
-Any states added from the territory gained from Mexico will allow slavery
-The Fugitive Slave Law is passed
A barrier erected by the East German government to separate East and West Berlin.
The Berlin Wall