MANIFEST DESTINY

ANJALI

The Mexican-American war (1846) started because of manifest destiny. The eagerness inside of president James K. Polk to expand the territory of the United States (aka Manifest Destiny) was very strong. The Mexicans had already lost Texas to the United States after it won its independence but Mexico was still in control of what is present day California, New Mexico, Utah, etc. James K. Polk originally offered Mexico $30 million for the land but Mexico refused. In hopes to pursue westward expansion, James K. Polk sent troops to occupy a disputed area of the border of Texas and Mexico. After sending the troops, he declared war on Mexico. When the United States declared war on Mexico, Mexico was unprepared. They were struggling with internal conflicts politically and their military was unable to match that of the United States. Not only was the war fought in the disputed lands such as Texas, New Mexico, and California but it was also fought in Mexico city. At the time, New Mexico and California were still part of Mexico and Texas was an independent nation that wanted to be a part of the United States. After a short 2 years, Mexico ceded ⅓ of its territory to The United States in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Our country gained modern day Utah, California, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas, resulting in one of the largest territorial expansions in the United States.

  The war had a huge effect on the Manifest Destiny because it seems to have fulfilled it. The definition of Manifest Destiny is that “ the United States is destined—by God, its advocates believed—to expand its dominion and spread democracy and capitalism across the entire North American continent.” With the United states gaining so much territory, citizens were able to spread democracy and capitalism.

My exhibit includes a drawing of the United States map before the Mexican-American war, a drawing of the United States map after the Mexican-American war, a drawing of a battle scene, and the description above.

ANNALIN

Advertisement poster about the westward expansion

Manifest Destiny was the belief that all Americans were soon destined to travel to the west. Many believed that God had always planned for the Americans to expand and take over the entire country, so it was okay to do whatever means necessary.

This poster advertises the idea that Americans should travel and expand towards the west to settle there. It shows the positive aspects of the westward expansion in an attempt to convince Americans to migrate in that direction. The west shows great, new opportunities for both the government and their people. Multiple pull factors are shown throughout the poster, placed on the west side of the US map where the land is lush, green, and healthy. The east side is dirty and not nearly as vibrant, with no benefits shown. What does this make you think about the westward expansion? Does this poster convince you to migrate west, and why or why not? Answer here.