Adams-Onís Treaty

Definition

The Adams-Onís Treaty, signed in 1819, was an agreement between the United States and Spain that ceded Florida to the U.S. and established a boundary between U.S. territories and New Spain. This treaty was significant as it reflected the growing ambitions of the United States for territorial expansion and the concept of Manifest Destiny, which would later dominate American thought and policy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Adams-Onís Treaty, also known as the Transcontinental Treaty, was negotiated by Secretary of State John Quincy Adams and Spanish Minister Luis de Onís.
2. The treaty not only ceded Florida to the U.S. but also defined the boundary between the U.S. and New Spain (present-day Mexico) all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
3. It resolved longstanding territorial disputes between the U.S. and Spain, especially concerning the boundaries in the Southeast region of North America.
4. The treaty demonstrated a shift in U.S. foreign policy towards expansionism and laid groundwork for future territorial acquisitions.
5. Ratified by the Senate in 1821, it was one of the early diplomatic successes for the United States as it sought to solidify its presence on the North American continent.

Review Questions

• How did the Adams-Onís Treaty reflect the principles of Manifest Destiny during its time?
  • The Adams-Onís Treaty exemplified Manifest Destiny by facilitating American territorial expansion into Florida and establishing a clearer boundary with New Spain. The idea of Manifest Destiny held that it was America's divine right to expand its territory across North America. By acquiring Florida through this treaty, the U.S. was acting on its belief in inevitable growth and dominance on the continent, setting a precedent for future expansions.
• Discuss how the Adams-Onís Treaty impacted U.S.-Spain relations and contributed to future territorial negotiations.
  • The Adams-Onís Treaty significantly improved U.S.-Spain relations by resolving territorial disputes peacefully, thereby fostering cooperation between the two nations. This treaty laid the groundwork for future negotiations regarding territory as it established a precedent for diplomatic resolution rather than military confrontation. By clarifying boundaries and ceding Florida, it also opened up opportunities for further expansion that would characterize U.S. policies in subsequent decades.
• Evaluate how the outcomes of the Adams-Onís Treaty influenced later U.S. expansionist policies, including subsequent treaties and territorial acquisitions.
  • The outcomes of the Adams-Onís Treaty influenced later expansionist policies by establishing a framework for diplomatic negotiations over territory that would be revisited in future treaties, such as the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The successful acquisition of Florida encouraged American leaders to pursue additional lands with similar determination, reinforcing their belief in Manifest Destiny. The treaty's clear delineation of borders also highlighted the importance of formal agreements in shaping territorial expansion, leading to further initiatives like westward movement through treaties with Native Americans and other countries.

Related terms

Manifest Destiny:

A 19th-century belief that the expansion of the U.S. across the American continents was both justified and inevitable.

Louisiana Purchase:

An 1803 acquisition of territory from France that doubled the size of the United States and set a precedent for westward expansion.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo:

The 1848 treaty that ended the Mexican-American War and resulted in Mexico ceding a large portion of its territory to the U.S.