Oregon Country and Manifest Destiny

Oregon Country and Manifest Destiny

Make two observations about John O’ Sullivan’s idea of Manifest Destiny and the

theory of American Exceptionalism.

Make two observations about John O’ Sullivan’s idea of Manifest Destiny and the

theory of American Exceptionalism.

Main Idea: Oregon Main Idea: Oregon

•Many Americans wanted control of Oregon country to gain access to the Pacific Ocean to build trade

•America, and Britain, had claims to Oregon Country by 1824.

•Agreement: Adams made agreement with Britain for joint occupation. Citizens of both countries could settle

•Many Americans wanted control of Oregon country to gain access to the Pacific Ocean to build trade

•America, and Britain, had claims to Oregon Country by 1824.

•Agreement: Adams made agreement with Britain for joint occupation. Citizens of both countries could settle

Mountain MenMountain Men

•Fur traders were the first Americans to reach the Oregon country

•beaver skins were in great demand

•John Jacob Astor: Organized the American Fur Company

•Fur traders were the first Americans to reach the Oregon country

•beaver skins were in great demand

•John Jacob Astor: Organized the American Fur Company

Mountain MenMountain Men

•Fur companies hired trappers who over time became known as mountain men

•Jedediah Smith found the South Pass (the Oregon Trail), a broad break through Rockies

•This pass later became the main route that settlers took to Oregon

•Fur companies hired trappers who over time became known as mountain men

•Jedediah Smith found the South Pass (the Oregon Trail), a broad break through Rockies

•This pass later became the main route that settlers took to Oregon

The Oregon TrailThe Oregon Trail

•“Oregon Fever,” a desire to follow others to Oregon; tens of thousands of Americans made the trip

•People formed societies to gather information about Oregon and to plan and make the long journey

•These pioneers were called emigrants. They left the United States to go to Oregon which was not yet a state

•“Oregon Fever,” a desire to follow others to Oregon; tens of thousands of Americans made the trip

•People formed societies to gather information about Oregon and to plan and make the long journey

•These pioneers were called emigrants. They left the United States to go to Oregon which was not yet a state

Fifty-four Forty or Fight Fifty-four Forty or Fight

•The settlers in Oregon insisted that the United States should have sole ownership of the area

•Davy Crockett, Tennessee representative was against joint occupation

•The settlers in Oregon insisted that the United States should have sole ownership of the area

•Davy Crockett, Tennessee representative was against joint occupation

James K. PolkJames K. Polk

•Oregon became a major issue in the 1844 presidential election

•Democratic Party nominated James K. Polk

•Polk supported American claims for sole ownership of Oregon

•Oregon became a major issue in the 1844 presidential election

•Democratic Party nominated James K. Polk

•Polk supported American claims for sole ownership of Oregon

Manifest Destiny Manifest Destiny

•O’Sullivan declared it was America’s Manifest Destiny to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us.”

•O’Sullivan meant that the United States was clearly destined, set apart for a special purpose, to extend its boundaries all the way to the Pacific

•O’Sullivan declared it was America’s Manifest Destiny to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us.”

•O’Sullivan meant that the United States was clearly destined, set apart for a special purpose, to extend its boundaries all the way to the Pacific

Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny

•Read the linked article starting from the 6th paragraph and answer the following questions. http://www.wolverton-mountain.com/articles/manifest-destiny.html

•What, according to John O’ Sullivan, is America’s mission?

•What does John O’ Sullivan think America stands for?

•Read the linked article starting from the 6th paragraph and answer the following questions. http://www.wolverton-mountain.com/articles/manifest-destiny.html

•What, according to John O’ Sullivan, is America’s mission?

•What does John O’ Sullivan think America stands for?

American ExceptionalismAmerican Exceptionalism

•Based on the article you read, what is American Exceptionalism?

•What made Americans believe in the idea of American Exceptionalism?

•How did American Exceptionalism aide to Manifest Destiny?

•Does the idea of American Exceptionalism exist today? Provide an example.

•Based on the article you read, what is American Exceptionalism?

•What made Americans believe in the idea of American Exceptionalism?

•How did American Exceptionalism aide to Manifest Destiny?

•Does the idea of American Exceptionalism exist today? Provide an example.