Manifest Destiny Was The Driving Force Of American Expansion Westward

Manifest Destiny was the driving force of American expansion westward. This concept was first introduced by New York newspaper editor James O’Sullivan who explained the role of the U.S. overspreading the continent. The idea of Manifest Destiny had to do with the fact that it was the right and duty of White Americans to settle the West and specifically expand to the Pacific Ocean. The idea of Manifest Destiny gave birth to the idea of the American pioneer spirit as well. Many people set out to move to the West for new lives that would give them new economic opportunities and greater freedom. Three areas of westward expansion that are important to talk about are Oregon, Texas, and California.
The first area to discuss is the Oregon Territory

Fur trappers, merchants, and farmers all came to Texas to try to find new opportunities. Mexico also began to give land grants to settlers to promote more settlement. However, there were two major problems that began to occur during this time. One was that the number of American settlers was starting to be greater than the number of Mexican settlers. The second problem had to do with the fact that American settlers were bringing slaves to this area but that clashed with the idea that Mexico had declared independence from Spain and outlawed slavery. The Mexican government felt the need to regain control over the area by prohibiting further American migration and also sending an army to deal with slaves brought into the region illegally. Americans declared independence from Mexico but that led to two more events. One event was when Antonio López de Santa Anna attacked Americans and Tejanos and the other event was the Battle of Jacinto which would lead to independence. Texas would remain independent for some time due to the balance of free and slave

California became popular animal furs as well as hide and tallow trade. There was a lot of potential when it came to California and President James Polk even negotiated with Mexico to buy parts or all of California but Mexico refused. Polk deeply believed in the idea of Manifest Destiny and for him that meant war. People who liked the idea of Manifest Destiny also supported the war but there were others like Northerners who didn’t want the war. The Mexican-American War would last from 1846 to 1848 and would end with a negotiation called the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This gave the U.S. California, New Mexico, Texas, and also other portions of the American Southwest. A little bit before the end of the war was when the Gold Rush started in California which would lead to more population as well as change in the economy. Another aspect to mention was the debate between slave states and free states. California was admitted as a free state and it was also decided that Congress wouldn’t make the decisions anymore about states being free or slave states. This would lead to even more division among the expanding