500 Word Essay
500 Word Essay
500 Word Essay
658 words
Period 2
Lauren Smith
658 words
Period 2
was gold. Days after Marshalls discovery at Sutters Mill, the Treaty of
Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, ending the Mexican-American War and
leaving California to the United States. A storekeeper Sam Brannan started a
craze when he went through the streets showing people a vial of gold. The
Gold Rush helped sped up California's admission to the Union as 31st state.
The term Manifest Destiny first appeared during the 1840s. It referred
to the expansion of America. It meant that the United States was destined to
stretch from the east coast to the west coast. The phrase was said by John L.
OSullivan in an article on the annexation of Texas published in the JulyAugust 1845 edition of the United States Magazine and Democratic Review,
which he edited. This attitude helped with western settlement, Native
American removal and war with Mexico. OSullivan claimed, our manifest
destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free
development of our yearly multiplying millions. The term and the concept
were taken up by those wanted to get Oregon Territory, California, Mexican
land in the Southwest, and in the 1850s, Cuba.
The Mexican American War was a two-year war mainly over territory.
Mexico was against the U.S. and President Polk who believed strongly in the
Manifest Destiny and he was determined to expand the United States
territory. The U.S. had annexed Texas and Mexico warned that any attempt at
annexation would lead to war. Polk wanted to buy California, New Mexico and
what is now the southwest when his offer was rejected he moved troops into
Lauren Smith
658 words
Period 2
a zone between the Rio Grande and Nueces River. Both countries recognized
this as part of the Mexican state of Coahuila. U.S. troops took over Veracruz
and went towards Mexico City. The Mexicans resisted at Cerro Gordo but
lost. Guerilla attacks against U.S. supply lines continued, but the war ended.
On Feb. 2, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed. Mexico also
recognized the U.S. annexation of Texas, and agreed to sell California and the
rest of its territory north of the Rio Grande for $15 million plus the
assumption of certain damages claims.
Multiple events happened during the 1840s but I believe I chose the
biggest and most important events that happened during this time period.