Manifest Destiny's Contribution To The Outbreak Of The American Civil War

2. Manifest Destiny after 1841 was a major contributor to the outbreak of the American Civil War. Assess the validity of this statement. Manifest Destiny was a massive emotional push from the American Citizens to expand the United States boarders born during the 1844 presidential campaign. The American people believe they were destined by god to expand and apply the U.S. democratic institution to all the land on the continent. The Democratic Party supported this philosophy, taking the name Expansionist Democrats, and nominated Polk, a slave owner. As soon as Polk was elected president he began to work toward the reannexation of Texas, the reoccupation of Oregon, and the seizure of California from Mexico. Each of these expansionist moves brought up more slavery issues and sectional strife that caused the American Civil War. The annexation of Texas, Polk first goal, was hated by the North because Texas would enter the country as a slave state. The addition of another slave state would bump the balance of political power in favor of the Southern states. Three days before Polk took office President Taylor signed a joint resolution annexing Texas. The North was extremely upset, but their emotions settled
Although the North demanded return of all Oregon territory up to the 54 ̊40’, Polk had no intention of fighting for this territory. Instead he purposed the compromise line of 49̊ to London, which was accepted by the British to avoid a war. The compromise enraged Northern supporters of Manifest Destiny and persuaded many to joining the Abolitionist movement. The supporters thought it unfair that all of Texas was annexed but only part of Oregon. This antislavery movement building in the North exploded after the talk of seizing California from