Before the Ostend Manifesto
Slavery and Sectional Crisis
Slavery has become a very massive problem in the US. There is a large amount of tension between the North and South. Although the Compromise of 1850 did ease tension, it led to an even deeper division between pro- slavery and anti- slavery enthusiasts.
The compromise of 1850 allowed California to be a free state but did not specify whether other territories of the Mexican Cession will be free or not
Manifest Destiny
By 1852, The United States has managed to completely expand to the west. A large flux of resources was available to the Americans, however, people found it necessary to began expanding beyond the cost. Places such as Cuba would benefit America by providing valuable sugar industry and slave trade. Cuba is also in an optimal position for international trade.
