Ch17 Notes

Manifest DestinyThe term Manifest Destiny was popularized by a journalist in 1845Assumed that God had granted all of the land between the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans to the United States

Manifest DestinyBy 1840, thousands were settling the region that would become Texas; by 1843, thousands more were traveling the dangerous Oregon TrailFamilies traveled the route in caravans of 10-20 covered wagons, advancing no more than 15 miles per day on a journey that took approximately 6 monthsTransformed the lives of women who became more than the traditional mother/homemaker

Manifest DestinySettlers & Sioux Indians pushing westward to hunt buffalo began to displace the Native Americans who had lived on the Great Plains for centuries.The Sioux used guns & horses to their advantage.By the early 1800s, they had control over much of the Great Plains.

The Accession of “Tyler Too”John Tyler became president when William Henry Harrison died in 1840Tyler was more like a Democrat, but ran as a Whig because he didn’t like Jackson.He disagreed with his party on almost ever major issue:Whigs were pro-bank, pro-protective tariff, and pro-internal improvements – Tyler, not so much

A President without a PartyHenry Clay (Senate) and Daniel Webster (Secretary of State) had hoped to dominate the Harrison administrationThey pushed legislation ending the Nat’l Treasury (set up under Van Buren) – Tyler signedNext, they created legislation establishing a new Bank of the United States – Tyler vetoed

A President without a PartyTyler was eventually expelled from the Whig party, & his entire Cabinet resigned (except Daniel Webster who was busy with British negotiations)

Tensions with Britain1837 - Canadian insurrection against the BritishAmericans provided military supplies and helped fight, even though the federal government attempted to uphold neutralityAn American steamer, the Caroline, was attacked by the British while carrying supplies to Canadian insurgents across Niagara River.1841 - British officials in the Bahamas offered asylum to 130 escaped slaves who had captured the American ship Creole

Maine1842 - Maine Boundary DisputeThe British wanted to build a road from Halifax to Quebec.The plans, however, ran through disputed Maine territory.The situation worsened during the “Aroostook War” when local lumberjacks clashed with one another.Eventually, the two sides agreed to “split-the-difference” with the Webster-AshburtonTreaty Line.

TexasNot recognized by Mexico as independentThreatened war against U.S. if annexedTo maintain protection (costly), Texans were forced to enter negotiations with Britain and France for protectorate status

British Interest in TexasBritish wanted an independent Texas, puppetedby BritainCheck Southern movement of AmericaAbolitionIf they were successful in abolishing in Texas, maybe incite a slave rebellion by the southern U.S.Cotton – less dependence on American cotton

Election of 1844Annexation of Texas became primary issue of 1844 ElectionPro-expansion Democrats triumph under James K. Polk

Annexing TexasTexas – Tyler believed he had a “mandate” from the people to annex Texas (pro-expansionist platform)Election resultsDesire to “save” his troubled presidencyNot really clear “mandate” – Tyler (a Democrat in Whig’s clothing) signed 3 days before leaving office

Oregon1818 – Americans want to divide @ 49th parallelBritish wanted Columbia River – vital tradeJoint Occupation1840s - U.S. settlement increasesOregon TrailBritish are losing the settlement race – look for negotiations Issue tossed into election of 1844Polk offers 49th parallel (again)1846 -- British accept

James K. Polk4 point programLower Tariff – 32 to 25% w/ Walker Tariff of 1846Restoration of an independent Treasury – dismantled by Clay (signed by John Tyler)Settlement of Oregon dispute – agreed on 49th ParallelAcquisition of CaliforniaPolk wanted to buy California from MexicoProblem: Tyler had severed diplomatic ties had been severed after annexation of TexasSends John Slidell with $ 25 millionMexican government refuses to allow Slidell to present offer

MexicoPolk orders 4,000 men from the Nueces River to the Rio Grande under General Zachary TaylorApril 25, 1846 – Mexican troops crossed the Rio Grande and attackPolk calls for war – “American Blood on American Soil!”

Did Polk Provoke War?Bent the truth to bend American public toward warMexicans had good reason to regard California as their ownMexico would not sell California – his planHaste – British might lay claim

MexicoPolk wanted California, but not warWhen war came, he wanted to limit its scopeLed by Gen. Zachary Taylor5,000 against 20,000Became “Hero of Buena Vista”On to Mexico City (1847)General Winfield ScottInadequate numbers, terrain, enemy, disease

PeaceTreaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)U.S. acquires Texas and area westward to Oregon and the Pacific (including California) = 1/2 of MexicoU.S. pays $15 millionNeeded congressional approval quicklyAnti-slavery Whigs were threateningSome expansionists were calling for ALL of MexicoFinal total = $18,250,000 (usually winners don’t pay)

ResultsU.S. increased land holdings by 1/3Experience for officers that would later fight in the Civil WarIncreased respect of American military

ResultsRelations with Latin America deteriorated“Colossus of the North” – greedy and untrustworthy bullyIssue of Slavery ResurfacedWilmot Proviso – Slavery should never exist in any of the territory gained from Mexico.Never became federal law

Ch17 Notes

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Ch17 Notes