U.S. History Chapter 13

America was destined-by God and by history-to expand its boundaries over a vast area.
Reflected both the growing pride that characterized American nationalism and the idealistic vision of social perfection.

Publicized by the “penny press”, the idea of Manifest Destiny had spread throughout the nation.

Some advocates of Manifest Destiny envisioned a vast new “empire of liberty”.
Include Canada, Mexico, Caribbean and Pacific islands. A few dreamed much of the rest of the world.

Offering cheap land and a four-year exemption from taxes to any American willing to move into Texas

A young immigrant from Missouri who established the first legal American settlement in Texas in 1822
Austin and others created centers of power in the region that competed with the Mexican government.

Instability in Mexico itself drove General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna to seize power as a dictator.
He increased the powers of the national government at the expense of the state governments

Mexican forces annihilated an American garrison at the Alamo mission in San Antonio.

A Texas “patriot”
Renowned frontiersman and former Tennessee congressman

Another garrison at Goliad suffered substantially the same fate.

A famous Tennessee general
Managed to keep a small force together
Defeated the Mexican army and took Santa Anna prisoner at the Battle of San Jacinto.

General Sam Houston defeated and prisoned Santa Anna in this battle.

Mexican residents of Texas

An treaty that allows citizens of each country equal access to the territory.

The major route west
Stretched from Independence across the Great Plains and through the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains.

Many Southern Democrats supported annexation, and the party passed over Van Buren to nominate James K. Polk.