During the time period of the Manifest Destiny, Americans had the divine mission to extend its powers and civilization across North America, possibly to embrace Canada to the North and Mexico to the South. Despite the fact that Americans apprehended Manifest Destiny as a valiant movement, it was genuinely a disturbing imperialism pursued at the expense of others. Northern cities argued that the root of this expansion drive was the Southern ambition to spread slavery into the western lands.
             Many actions were taken during this period. The Ostend Manifesto offered when President Polk offered to buy Cuba from Spain for $100 million. He was declined this offer. Once Pierce became president the following term, Pierce began to take action. He adopted pro-southern policies and dispatched three American diplomats to Ostend, Belgium, where they secretly negotiated to buy Cuba. This information leaked to the press, causing antislavery members of Congress to become quite upset. Therefore Pierce was forced to drop the scheme.
             Additionally, the Walker Expedition took place. William Walker took over Nicaragua in California by force. His disposition was to develop proslavery in Central America. This whole plan feel apart when Central America countries invaded and defeated Walker in his conquered lands. In 1850 the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty was created. This was an agreement between Great Britain and the United States during the time that the Americans desired to gain a canal system in Central America. This treaty provided that neither nation could try and take control of any future canal route in Central America. Finally, the Gadsden Purchase took place. Pierce then bought current day New Mexico and Arizona from Mexico for #10 million.
             The question of expansion was universally discussed. Although the strongest sentiment was found in the North and West, the South had its own ambitions. These ambitions usually involved extension of their "pec...