Westward Expansion Dbq Essay

The westward expansion, the pivotal period where the United States tracked down a policy of extension based off the “manifest destiny”; an ideology that Americans were destined to expand their nation across the lands. Those who were convinced that slavery was the main cause towards the events like the annexation of Texas and the Mexican War were not as correct; they were simply other issues besides that which concerned the expansion. Though the problems shown seem to reveal that slavery was an important value, but it could never be a valid reason for expansion no matter how the issues occur. Reverend William Ellery Channing mentioned in his letter to Henry Clay that annexing Texas to the United States would perpetuate slavery, he would continue

on in the letter stating “By annexing Texas, we shall not only create [slavery] where it does not exist, but breathe new life into it, where its end seemed to be near.” (Doc. B). The important roles during the United States expansion to the west involved Indian Treaties and the Removal Act of 1830, The Oregon territory, The annexation of Texas (and the Mexican War), and the United States’ Territorial Expansion interest in the Caribbean’s. Between it all, this will involve other policies and ideals from the United States government to apprehend these drastic events, dealing with other political problems other than slavery.
A decade ago from 1830, you had Andrew Jackson leading the way in favor of the removal campaign, over time manage to negotiate most of the major treaties to remove the native Indians The United States government used a treaties, one to supplant natives from their lands which was the Removal Act of 1930. Under this kind of constraint, the Native Americans (the Creek, Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Choctaw) realized they could not defeat the United States in warfare; They lost a great deal of land but their hopes to keep a small portion of it remained. There was only small number of resistance from the Seminole tribe in Florida; by the 1840s, from the Atlantic to the Mississippi, no Native Tribes resided in the South. Through coerced treaties and judicial determination, the United States paved the wat for the westward expansion and began to include the incorporations for newer territories to become a part of the United States. Other issues occurred over slavery at this time, one that leads to future regrets.
The Oregon Territory’s fate became a major ambassadorial issue; several disputes regarding the United States, Spain and Mexico (Russia and Great Britain were originally involved).

Thomas Hart Benton’s speech mentioned “Let the emigrants go on, and carry their rifles… Thirty thousand rifles on the Oregon will annihilate the Hudson Bay Company, drive them off our continent, quiet their Indians, and protect the American interests in all the vast regions…” (Doc. A). The territory became the center of attention for those who believed that it was the United States’ responsibility and right to claim it along with liberty across the North American continent. The United States’ claim came from the explorations Lewis and Clark had, it including the establishment of trading posts set up by companies, the land explored made it an assumption that the United States owns it. It was proposed that to extend its borders along parallel to the Pacific Ocean, so arguments occurred with Great Britain where they insisted that a northern border should be placed west from the Columbia River; neither side budged so they agreed to postpone the decision for an entire decade. As the decision remained, the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842 delineated borders near Canada but didn’t include the borders of the Oregon Territory. The next year (1943) increased the immigration on the Oregon Trail to the Territory which made the borders an issue. James Polk, a proud supporter of the Manifest Destiny had some

views on California and the Mexican Southwest; he was longing to settle the boundary of the Oregon Territory and suggested a strict settlement with Great Britain, it was agreed upon. Later controversy over the precise boundaries happened but it was resolved and favored to the United States. Next would be decided the following problems that have to be dealt with, James Polk in his Inaugural Address had this to say. “None can fail to see the danger to our safety and future peace if Texas remains an Independent state…Is there one who would not prefer an unrestricted communication with her citizens, to the frontier obstructions which must occur if she remains out of the Union?” Already questioning the fate of the Lone star state, actions will be necessary to settle this matter.
Continuing on, James K. Polk during his term, was seeing the greatest territorial expansion for the United States. Events were brought within the authority to obtain the futures states of California, Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Oregon, Utah, and Washington; an insane portion to take in, other states were later formed (Oklahoma, Kansas, Montana, Colorado, and Wyoming). Related to only California, John L. O’Sullivan compared Mexico to a 5th century European tribe that would eventually fall in guarding its territory, so it would be occupied by a more powerful and independent force which have the true responsibility for the people (Doc. D). But looking back on Texas’s successful independence in 1836, many like the current President at the time, Martin Van Buren eschewed himself from annexing Texas, taking no maneuvers concerning the annexation. The United States reach out to the Republic of Texas, which resulted in a treaty of annexation and an event that severed diplomatic relations with Mexico and the United States. Though the threat to declare war if the United States annexed Texas, Mexico weren’t going to follow through that risky decision. The relations between these two nations remained strained due to Mexico’s quarrel with Texas. In 1845, James K. Polk sends Congressman John Slidell to Mexico to negotiate the purchases of the nearby areas along the borders; comprising into the present day California and New Mexico. The mission was a failure, and Polk had to use skirmishers inside the enemy territory between Mexican and Texan troops. Later on, another negotiation commenced for a peace treaty which as similar to Slidell’s mission; realizing that prolonging this war would bring potential consequences to the United States, the decision was made to submit a treaty to the senate for ratification. Polk accomplished his actions with the annexation of Texas, then negotiated with Great Britain on the Oregon Treaty, and lastly saw the conclusion of the Mexican-American war in 1848, all of which officially ended with the signing and ratification of the Treaty of Guadalupe. Charles Sumner talked about how the unconstitutional annexation towards a foreign state remained undisputed for a time, Slavery was kind of excluded but the end of the war strengthened “slave power” (Doc. G). Another noteworthy outcome that slavery continued to fester on into this aftermath.
The Territorial Expansion lead to an additional plan that remained popular among the public of the United States.

Thomas Corwin speaks out claiming and questioning what belongs to us, whatever is meets the need of the United States should be theirs, any issues with that can be fix by just leaving (Doc. E). Shortly after the Texan annexing and the Mexican-American war, many pro-slavery southerners sought to expand further south, meaning that more land would make slavery increase and grow. The Expansion involved the Caribbean and Central America; the expansionist’s dreams were aided by some of the countries there, though the American public condemn some actions by some of those countries. Now another controversy occurred in an attempt to mollify a proslavery wing, the opposite side wanted nothing of slavery to continue on. Usually filibusterers were ultimately a form that proved to be embarrassing to United States’ diplomatic actions despite the international detainments for the United States to gain more power, the United States expansion became hindered to some

issues.
“The slave population of the United States cannot be diminished, but must be increased”, George McDuffie from South Carolina continues on that annexing Texas would create an improved slave population, and they would supposedly be happier from it (Doc. C). Slavery played its role during the annexation of Texas and the Mexican War; but it was not the sole purpose for the entire expansion of the United States. There were many examples that makes slavery not as important during war time. Slavery was the most important factor when it leads the United States to a Civil War; but during the timeline of 1820 through 1860, that wasn’t as important to the other situation at hand. Most Americans believed that it was a religious vision, that God showed the growth that the American nation needed to claim, this background that was followed explained why war were the reasons for a solution; especially with Mexico. This was an expansion used by the United States Colonies rather than states and showing another demonstration of a more advanced growing Imperialism for the United States.