Faces of Costa Rica

William Walker: An Expression of Manifest Destiny

Costa Rica is credited with expelling United States citizen William Walker from Central America and preventing the region from being annexed as a slave state.

Born in 1824 in Tennessee, Walker was a doctor, lawyer, journalist and adventurer. He believed strongly in the U.S. policy of manifest destiny, not only wanting to extend U.S. territory but also create new slave states.

In 1853, he attempted to conquer parts of Mexico. When that failed, he looked towards Central America.

Nicaraguan liberals requested his help in overthrowing the conservative Nicaraguan president José María Estrada in 1855. They were much less interested in his goals than taking power of the country themselves. With an army of 58 men and liberal support, Walker captured the country. Rather than giving power to the liberals as expected, Walker named himself president of Nicaragua. Alarm ran through the rest of Central America, especially when the United States recognized Walker's government.

Juan Rafael Mora Porras, president of Costa Rica, declared war on Walker in 1856. With an army of 9,000 men, he expelled Walker from Central America. Walker attempted to return to Central America several months later and was caught by the Hondurans. At the age of 36, he was executed by a firing squad.