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Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny is a belief shared by manty Americans in the mid-1800s that the U.S. was meant to expand across the continent to the Pacific Ocean. Americans and the U.S. Government believed God gave them the right to expand westward and take control of new lands. -
Original 13 Colonies
The U.S. gained control of this land during the Revolutionary War. The Declaration of Independence is the statement of the Second Continental Congress that defined the colonists' rights, outlined their complaints against Great Britain. The purpose of the Declaration of Independence was for the colonies to declare independence from Great Britain. The American Revolution lasted five years. This war caused the newly formed U.S. economy to be in debt. -
Northwest Territory
The U.S. obtained the Northwest Territory during the Revolutionary War. Five states - Illinois, Indianan, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin - were created out of the Northwest Territory. When the population of a territory reached 60,00, its settlers could draft their own constitution. The people could then ask Congress for permission to join the Union as a state. A bill of rights, public education, and no slavery were required for a territory to become a state. -
Louisiana Purchase
We bought this land from France. Napoleon was willing to sell the land in the Louisiana Purchase and we bought this land for $15 million, The Mississippi River and the city of New Orleans were so important to the U.S. economy because this was the way Americans traded and made money. President Jefferson is credited with purchasing this land. The addition of this land purchased almost doubled the U.S. -
Adams-Onis Treaty
Southerners were upset with the Native Americans such as the Seminole Indians because the Indians raided U.S. towns and aided runaway slaves. President Monroe sent troops under the command of General Andrew Jackson to secure the Florida border, Jackson took over most of Spain's military posts and overthrew the governer of Florida. These acts were unconsitutional because Andrew Jackson committed these acts against Spain without recieving direct orders from President Monroe. -
Adams-Onis Treaty Continued
The U.S. and Spain agreed in the Adams-Onis to take responsibility for up to $5 million of U.S. citizens' claims against Spain. Spain gave East Florida to the U.S. and gave up its claims to West Florida. In return, the U.S. gave up its claims to what is now Texas. -
Texas Annexation Continued
The Battle of Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto were events surrounding Texas earning its independence and becoming a republic. A republic is an independent nation. The economy of Texas was based largely on farming and ranching with very little industry, there was very little cash. The lack of funds made it difficult for Texas to defend its vast territory. To make matters worse, Mexican still condifered Texas to be its property. -
Texas Annexation
The word annex means to take control of land and incorporate into a country, state, ect. Americans moved to Texas in search of land and economic opportunities, particulary after the economic depression caused by the Panic of 1837, and slavery was allowed. Slavery was promised by the new Mexican Government. The Mexican Government's now taking or making slavery illegal to Southerners that moved to Texas. -
Mexican Cession
The main issue that the U.S. and Mexican argued over that led to the Mexican-American War was the annexation of Texas. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American War. Under the Mexican Cession, the land that was turned over to the U.S. included present-day California, Nevada, and Utah. Most of Arizona and New Mexico and parts of Colorado and Wyoming were included as well. It increased the U.S. by almost 25%. -
Gadsden Purchse
The U.S. agreed to purchase land under the Gadsden Purchase because it would expnad the U.S. They were also trying to avoid war. The U.S. paid Mexico $10 million for the Southern parts of what are now Arizona and New Mexico. With addition of the Gadsden Purchase, the continental boundaries of the United States were finally fixed. The belief of "Manifest Destiny" was finally complete because they expanded all the way westward. -
Oregon Territory
Britain had orginally shared control of the Oregon Territory with the U.S. The U.S. was trying to avoid war with Great Britain and this resulted in them signing a treaty with Great Briain. Oregon and Washington are the current U.S. states that were created out of the Oregon Territory.