The American Pageant Chapter 17: Manifest Destiny and Its Legacy The American Pageant Chapter 17: Manifest Destiny and Its Legacy

1840 Election William Henry Harrison William Henry Harrison – Longest Inaugural speech- shortest term in office John Tyler takes over John Tyler takes over William Henry Harrison William Henry Harrison – Longest Inaugural speech- shortest term in office John Tyler takes over John Tyler takes over Tyler splits from the party – Added to the ticket because he believed in State’s rights – vetoes the new bank – Expelled from his own party – Cabinet resigns in mass (except Daniel Webster) Tyler splits from the party – Added to the ticket because he believed in State’s rights – vetoes the new bank – Expelled from his own party – Cabinet resigns in mass (except Daniel Webster)

Trouble with Great Britain Literature pirating— plagiarism Literature pirating— plagiarism Canadian Civil War Canadian Civil War – Caroline Affair American steamer bringing supplies to the rebels American steamer bringing supplies to the rebels Captured and burned by British Captured and burned by British Creole Affair, 1841 Creole Affair, 1841 – British in Bahamas give asylum to 130 escaped slaves Aroostook War, 1837 Aroostook War, 1837 – Lumber dispute on Canadian-Maine border Literature pirating— plagiarism Literature pirating— plagiarism Canadian Civil War Canadian Civil War – Caroline Affair American steamer bringing supplies to the rebels American steamer bringing supplies to the rebels Captured and burned by British Captured and burned by British Creole Affair, 1841 Creole Affair, 1841 – British in Bahamas give asylum to 130 escaped slaves Aroostook War, 1837 Aroostook War, 1837 – Lumber dispute on Canadian-Maine border

Webster-Ashburton Treaty 1842 US gave up 5,000 sq. miles in Maine US gave up 5,000 sq. miles in Maine US gets 6,500 sq. miles in Minnesota US gets 6,500 sq. miles in Minnesota – Later iron is found in the region Avoided war – which seemed unavoidable Avoided war – which seemed unavoidable

The Lone Star Republic Mexico threatened that they would attack the US if Texas is annexed Mexico threatened that they would attack the US if Texas is annexed Texas forced to provide a border defense: Texas forced to provide a border defense: – Negotiates with France & Britain Polk platform “re-annexation of Texas” Polk platform “re-annexation of Texas” – Polk wins – Lame-duck president, John Tyler, calls for a joint-session of congress – Annexes Texas in 1845 Mexico threatened that they would attack the US if Texas is annexed Mexico threatened that they would attack the US if Texas is annexed Texas forced to provide a border defense: Texas forced to provide a border defense: – Negotiates with France & Britain Polk platform “re-annexation of Texas” Polk platform “re-annexation of Texas” – Polk wins – Lame-duck president, John Tyler, calls for a joint-session of congress – Annexes Texas in 1845

Oregon Claims British British Hudson Bay Co. Hudson Bay Co. Explorations of fur trappers Explorations of fur trappers British British Hudson Bay Co. Hudson Bay Co. Explorations of fur trappers Explorations of fur trappers Americans Robert Gray 1792 Lewis and Clark American Fur Co. Spanish/Russian claims preempted by treaty Marcus Whitman : Missionaries 5,000 settlers by 1846 Willamette Valley Americans Robert Gray 1792 Lewis and Clark American Fur Co. Spanish/Russian claims preempted by treaty Marcus Whitman : Missionaries 5,000 settlers by 1846 Willamette Valley

1844 Election James K. Polk From Tennessee From Tennessee “Dark horse” candidate “Dark horse” candidate Nominated by Democrats Nominated by Democrats Manifest Destiny – main theme Manifest Destiny – main theme Re-annexation of Texas Re-annexation of Texas Reoccupation of Oregon “54’ 40° or Fight” Reoccupation of Oregon “54’ 40° or Fight” James K. Polk From Tennessee From Tennessee “Dark horse” candidate “Dark horse” candidate Nominated by Democrats Nominated by Democrats Manifest Destiny – main theme Manifest Destiny – main theme Re-annexation of Texas Re-annexation of Texas Reoccupation of Oregon “54’ 40° or Fight” Reoccupation of Oregon “54’ 40° or Fight” Henry Clay Nominated by Whigs Does not endorse Manifest Destiny Straddles the Texas Issue Irony: – Lost NY because of anti- slavery sentiment (anti- Texas Party) – His loss led to the annexation of Texas Henry Clay Nominated by Whigs Does not endorse Manifest Destiny Straddles the Texas Issue Irony: – Lost NY because of anti- slavery sentiment (anti- Texas Party) – His loss led to the annexation of Texas

Polk “Young Hickory” Workaholic – unwilling to delegate Workaholic – unwilling to delegate Walker tariff Walker tariff – Lowered rate of 1842 Tariff from 32% to 25% Restored the independent treasury Restored the independent treasury Wanted California Wanted California Workaholic – unwilling to delegate Workaholic – unwilling to delegate Walker tariff Walker tariff – Lowered rate of 1842 Tariff from 32% to 25% Restored the independent treasury Restored the independent treasury Wanted California Wanted California Wanted the “whole” of Oregon – Slogan had been 54º 40’ Tried to compromise at the 49 th parallel – British gave up claims to Columbia – 1 month into Mexican-American War settled on 49 th Parallel Wanted the “whole” of Oregon – Slogan had been 54º 40’ Tried to compromise at the 49 th parallel – British gave up claims to Columbia – 1 month into Mexican-American War settled on 49 th Parallel

Oregon

War with Mexico US Citizens in CA have $3 million in claims against Mexico Mexico defaulted on her payments John Slidell sent to buy California US Citizens in CA have $3 million in claims against Mexico Mexico defaulted on her payments John Slidell sent to buy California Mexico would not accept the $25 million offer Rumor: California may be purchased or taken by Britain Texas: – Texans claim the Rio Grande as their Southern Border – Mexico claims boundary is the Nueces River – 120 mile difference Mexico would not accept the $25 million offer Rumor: California may be purchased or taken by Britain Texas: – Texans claim the Rio Grande as their Southern Border – Mexico claims boundary is the Nueces River – 120 mile difference

Texas and War with Mexico Gen. Zachary Taylor (“Old Rough and Ready”) Gen. Zachary Taylor (“Old Rough and Ready”) – January 1846 – Sent to Rio Grande to bait Mexican troops Gen. Zachary Taylor (“Old Rough and Ready”) Gen. Zachary Taylor (“Old Rough and Ready”) – January 1846 – Sent to Rio Grande to bait Mexican troops Polk about to ask for declaration of war: – Unpaid claims – Slidell’s rejection Mexico crosses Rio Grande – April 25, 1846 – Attacks Taylor’s troops “American Blood is shed on American Soil” Polk about to ask for declaration of war: – Unpaid claims – Slidell’s rejection Mexico crosses Rio Grande – April 25, 1846 – Attacks Taylor’s troops “American Blood is shed on American Soil”

Mexican-American War Polk has an excuse to get Congress to declare war Polk has an excuse to get Congress to declare war – “spot resolutions” What “spot” of ground was blood shed? What “spot” of ground was blood shed? submitted by Lincoln (junior Congressman from Illinois) submitted by Lincoln (junior Congressman from Illinois) Polk has an excuse to get Congress to declare war Polk has an excuse to get Congress to declare war – “spot resolutions” What “spot” of ground was blood shed? What “spot” of ground was blood shed? submitted by Lincoln (junior Congressman from Illinois) submitted by Lincoln (junior Congressman from Illinois) Stephen W. Kearny – Santa Fe Trail to San Diego –”Mormon Battalion” “Bear Flag Revolt” John C. Fremont Gen. Zachary Taylor Northern Mexico Gen. Winfield Scott Mexico City Stephen W. Kearny – Santa Fe Trail to San Diego –”Mormon Battalion” “Bear Flag Revolt” John C. Fremont Gen. Zachary Taylor Northern Mexico Gen. Winfield Scott Mexico City

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1848 Scott took Mexico City Scott took Mexico City Nicholas Trist Nicholas Trist – Sent to negotiate a treaty – Santa Anna swindled him out a $10,000 bribe Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: 1. Mexican cession of ½ of the country (Texas) 2. US pays $15 million to Mexico 3. US pays $3 million to US citizens Scott took Mexico City Scott took Mexico City Nicholas Trist Nicholas Trist – Sent to negotiate a treaty – Santa Anna swindled him out a $10,000 bribe Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: 1. Mexican cession of ½ of the country (Texas) 2. US pays $15 million to Mexico 3. US pays $3 million to US citizens

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo The Treaty with Mexico is contested by both “Conscience Whigs” (anti-slavery and threatening to vote down supplies for the war) and expansionists (clamoring for “all of Mexico) The Treaty with Mexico is contested by both “Conscience Whigs” (anti-slavery and threatening to vote down supplies for the war) and expansionists (clamoring for “all of Mexico) The treaty is ratified by the Senate and condemned by both groups in spite of the fact that the Mexican Cession is greater than the Louisiana Purchase

Wilmot Proviso Proposed by David Wilmot of Pennsylvania (a member of the House) Proposed by David Wilmot of Pennsylvania (a member of the House) Stated that “slavery should never exist in any of the territory wrested from Mexico” Stated that “slavery should never exist in any of the territory wrested from Mexico” This passed the House 2X but was blocked in the Senate – endorsed by all the free states This passed the House 2X but was blocked in the Senate – endorsed by all the free states It came to symbolize the burning issue of slavery especially as it pertained to the territories It came to symbolize the burning issue of slavery especially as it pertained to the territories

Results of the Mexican-American War 1.Slavery issue revived – 2.Military proved excellent 3.Start of bad relations with Mexico 4.Land acquired from Mexico brought on the Civil War