Manifest Destiny Dbq Analysis

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The people of the United States believed it was their god given right to expand from the Atlantic Ocean, east to the Pacific Ocean, North to Canadian border, and South to Mexico. This idea of Manifest Destiny fueled the expansion into the West. Big indicators of Manifest Destiny were the use of the Oregon Trail, and the Mexican – American War. Despite Manifest Destiny bringing about an increase in sectionalism and conflict, it also allowed for the expansion of territory and fueled movement into the west.

With people moving west into the newly claimed territory, there was controversy whether the territories would become free or slave states. According to the Missouri Compromise, all territory North of the 36˚ 30’ line would be admitted as …show more content…
One of the ways the United States gained new territory is when Texas wanted to secede from Mexico and join the Union. (Doc 2) Texas wrote the Treaty of Annexation in April 22, 1844 to the United States congress granting them their property to be controlled by the United States. Texas wrote this because they wanted to have slavery, but Mexico had outlawed slavery. Mexico was not happy with this decision and resulted in the Mexican – American war, causing casualties. This war also led to more tension and bloodshed in the long run, because of an increase in sectionalism between the North and South. (Doc 5) When Kansas was being admitted as a state, popular sovereignty was being enforced, and many people were being encouraged to vote Free through the use of an advertisement. (Doc 7) Kansas was going to be admitted as a free state, but border ruffians from the South crossed the border into Kansas and voted so that it would become a slave state. With Kansas being admitted as a slave state, and a re-vote being denied by the President at the time, there was opposition within the state that led to Bleeding Kansas. Bleeding Kansas was a conflict between the Pro-Slavery people and the Anti-Slavery people.

Some good came out of Manifest Destiny. After the Mexican – American the United States gained control of the territories of California, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. There was a rush of movement to the west after gold was discovered in California, also known as the Gold Rush. (Doc 6) This caused California to be quickly admitted into the Union as a free state. California was admitted as a free state due to the Wilmot Proviso, seeing that California was the next newly gained territory to become a state after Texas. (Doc

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