manifest destiny
...ent 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 millio...