Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion

Manifest Destiny was the American idea that westward expansion was predestined by God. It was believed that the United States was ordained to spread to the Pacific Ocean, into Mexican and Native American territory. This was seen by Americans as obvious and inevitable, or “manifest".

For twenty-five years after the War of 1812, there was very little American exploration in the western part of North America. However, by the 1840’s, the desire to expand had gripped the nation. The abundance of land in the West attracted people to the region, and economic problems pushed people out of East. Settlers began to establish trails to the West, such as the Oregon Trail, Santa Fe Trail, and Mormon Trail. They traveled along these trails in covered wagons filled with their belongings. Traders also traveled along these routes, bringing economic stimulation to the region.

As the United States grew westward, national boundaries were defined by agreements with other nations. The modern border with Canada was established peacefully with Great Britain. The two countries were divided along the 49th parallel, from the Rocky Mountains to Puget Sound. Unfortunately, the settlement of the borders in the Southwest with Mexico would not be so peaceful.

Stephen F. Austin established a colony in 1825 where "no drunkard, gambler, profane swearer, or idler would be allowed. The settlement was named San Felipe de Austin, in Stephen's honor. By 1825, Austin has issued 297 land grants to the "Texas's Old Three Hundred". Each of the 297 families either received 177 acres of farmland or 4,428 acres for stock grazing. In addition to the land grants, every family also received a 10 year exemption from paying taxes. By the 1830s, there were more than 20,000 Americans in Texas.

Despite the peaceful cooperation between Anglos and Tejanos, differences over cultural issues heightened between Anglos and the Mexican government. The protestant Anglos spoke English instead of Spanish which frustrated the Tejanos. Furthermore, some Southerners brought slaves with them. Mexico, who has already abolished slavery in 1892 insisted that the Texans free their slaves. When Austin went to Mexico City in 1833 to present petitions to Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (President of Mexico) for greater self government for texas. Austin was imprisoned by Santa Anna for inciting revolution. Rebellions broke out everywhere.

Austin was set free in 1835, he was convinced that war would be the only way for Texas to have self rule. Santa Anna, also determined to force Texas to follow Mexican rule, declared war. Lieutenant Colonel William Travis believed that maintaining control of the Alamo would prevent would prevent Santa Anna's movement north. From February 23. 1836 to March 2, 1836, Santa Anna's troops attacked The Alamo and the rebels died trying to defend it. Six weeks later, Sam Houston, commander in chief and 900 soldiers defeated Santa Anna and forced him to sign the Treaty of Velasco, which granted independence to Texas.

Sam Houston was elected president of the new Republic of Texas in September 1836.

Written by: Derek and Aston