Chapter 17 APUSH John Tyler as President (Democrat in Whig Clothing) When Wm. Henry Harrison (Whig) was elected in 1840, it was known that Henry Clay (in the Senate) and Daniel Webster (Sec. of State) were really running the show; Harrison was a pushover When Harrison died after 4 weeks in office, Webster and Clay were MAD because Tyler became President (Tyler was at odds w/Whig party on every issue) – BUS, tariff, internal improvements Whigs called Tyler “His Accidency” and an “Executive Ass”

favored internal improvements to stimulate economic growth. The Issue Differences Between the Whigs and the Democrats Were Mainly on Economics. The other basic Issue, Slavery, split the Parties internally. Whigs Believed that the state had an important role in ensuring economic development. favored internal improvements to stimulate economic growth. believed in strong government which properly channeled the voice of the masses through institutions rather than direct expression. The primary enemy of society was anarchy and rebellion, not crime. Democrats Believed in popular control of government so they favored limited government, that is, they favored state and local government because they saw them as being more under popular control. T hey opposed internal improvements, high tariffs, the National Bank, and an activist federal government. They were anti-corporate and anti-capitalist – the protector of the common people. They were Agrarians. They adhered to Jefferson's yeoman ideal of the independent producer, the traditional agrarian economic model, and a distrust of the parasitic state. Democrats did not condone slavery – rather, they were pro-White.

Problems with England: Bank of the United States Tyler vetoed Clay’s bill to re-charter the BUS; Tyler’s entire cabinet resigned (except Webster) Tyler also vetoed a tariff bill proposed by Clay because it gave states money from the sale of western land; Clay revised the tariff (took out the land thing) and Tyler signed it; 1842 tariff was 32% Problems with England: British looked down on Americans: tobacco spitting, slave auctioning, lynching, eye gouging; even Charles Dickens wrote about his hatred for America

America also owes the British lots of money; many couldn’t pay it back after the Panic of 1837 Canadians launched an insurrection and Americans were helping them; 1837 an American steamer, the Caroline, was carrying supplies to the insurgents; the British set in on fire on the Niagara River; ship was sunk and one American killed 1841 in the Bahamas; the British offered asylum to 130 Virginia slaves who had rebelled and captured an American ship Yankee Doodle borrows cash, Yankee Doodle spends it, And then he snaps his fingers at The jolly flat (simpleton) who lends it.

Webster-Ashburton Treaty in 1842 Negotiated by Lord Ashburton (from England) and Daniel Webster America got 7,000 miles of the 12,000 miles in dispute

Mexico has refused to recognize Texas’ independence since 1836 (they are a territory in revolt); Mexico said if Texas joined the U.S., there would be war Britain and France wanted Texas to stay an independent nation because: 1. British abolitionists wanted Texas to be free territory 2. Britain wanted to trade with Texas tariff-free 3. Britain wanted to produce cotton there

Election of 1844 Democrats nominate James K. Polk – a “dark horse” from Tennessee; he was an expansionist; he wanted to annex Texas; “manifest destiny”; he advocated occupation of Oregon all the way up to 54°40’; annexation of California Whigs nominated Henry Clay!!!! Wrote a series of confusing letters and “straddled the fence” on the Texas annexation issue Liberty Party (anti-slavery) took votes away from Clay in New York, so he lost! Democrats claimed that Polk’s election was a “mandate” from the American people that they wanted expansion Lame duck John Tyler annexed Texas 3 days before leaving office; admitted as a state in 1845

The British claimed Oregon north of the Columbia River based on: 1. Prior discovery and exploration 2. Treaty rights 3. Actual occupation of the land Americans claimed ownership based on all of the above also, but America also claimed to have sent missionaries to this territory “Oregon Fever” in early 1840s; many Americans traveled the Oregon Trail

Polk as President Did not delegate tasks; he did everything himself and wore himself out! Polk had a four point agenda: 1. Lower the tariff (from 32% to 25%); it was the Walker Tariff (named after Polk’s Sec. of the Treasury) 2. Restore VanBuren’s independent treasury (Whigs killed it in 1841 because they were pro-BUS) 3. Acquisition of California 4. Settlement of the Oregon dispute

Oregon Dispute: Polk proposed a compromise line of 49° which the British rejected at first, then agreed to in 1846 Why ALL of Texas and NOT ALL of Oregon? “Great Britain is powerful and Mexico is weak”

Pioneer Families on the Oregon Trail

Texas Annexation By March 1845 Congress had already approved Texas Annexation The Republic of Texas hopes annexation will solve the republic’s financial & military problems Texas becomes the 28th state in December of 1845. Mexico reacts by cutting off all diplomatic ties with the U.S.

In a satirical look at the opposition to U. S In a satirical look at the opposition to U.S. annexation of Texas during the 1844 campaign, Whig candidate and antiannexationist Henry Clay leads three groups: (1) the "Hartford Convention Blue-Lights," who shout, "God save the King!" and "Millions for Tribute! not a cent for defence Go it Strong!"; (2) the "Sunday Mail Petitioners," representing those who wished to eliminate postal service on Sundays in the United States; and (3) the "Abolition Martyrs," who have been tarred and feathered for their activism

Rio Grande boundary Nueces River boundary

Problems with Mexico: U.S. had $3 million in claims (damages against American citizens and their property) but Mexico was defaulting on the payments Mexico recalled its ambassador from the U.S. after Tyler annexed Texas Dispute over the boundary between Mexico and Texas

Sung by George Washington Dixon, at the tremendous War meeting, in New York. TUNE --- "Dan Tucker." The Mexicans are on our soil, In war they wish us to embroil; They've tried their best and worst to vex us, By murdering our brave men in Texas. Chorus-- We're on our way to Rio Grande, On our way to Rio Grande, On our way to Rio Grande, And with arms they'll find us handy. We are the boys who fear no noise, We'll leave behind us all our joys, To punish those half savage scamps, Who've slain our brethern in their camps. Chorus The God of War, the mighty Mars, Has smiled up our stripes and stars; And spite of any ugly rumours We'll vanquish all the Montezumas! We're on our way to Matamoras; On our way to Matamoras, On our way to Matamoras, And we'll conquer all before us!

There were rumors that Great Britain was trying to buy California from Mexico, so Polk felt like he needed to act fast! Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico City in 1845 to offer $25 million for California and territory to the east; the Mexican government rejected Slidell and didn’t even listen to what he had to say Jan. 13, 1846 Polk ordered Gen. Zachary Taylor (with 4,000 troops) to march from the Nueces River to the Rio Grande (very near to Mexican forces) – Mexicans didn’t respond until April 25, 1846 (16 Americans killed or wounded) May 9, 1846 Polk asked Congress to declare war on Mexico based on 1) unpaid claims 2) Slidell’s rejection

Polk claimed that “American blood was shed on the American soil” – in reality in was shed on disputed territory A young Congressman from Illinois pushed to know the exact “spot” on which blood was shed – he became known as “Spotty Lincoln” Mexico was hoping that Britain would help them (in order to get back Oregon) Santa Anna (exiled in Cuba with his teenage wife) contacted the U.S. and offered to help the U.S. if he was allowed to re-enter Mexico (past the American blockade); Polk agreed, then Santa Anna double-crossed Polk and rallied Mexican troops against the U.S.

American successes in Mexican War: 1846 Gen. Stephen Kearny led 1,700 troops over the Santa Fe Trail & captured the fort at Santa Fe John C. Fremont – The Pathfinder - freed California from Mexican control in 1846 Gen. Zachary Taylor “Old Rough and Ready” – fought his way across the Rio Grande into Mexico – his 5,000 troops defeated 20,000 Mexican troops (under Santa Anna) at Buena Vista Gen. Winfield Scott – hero from War of 1812 – “Old Fuss and Feathers” – won Mexico City in Sept. 1847 - the most distinguished military general since George Washington

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo – Feb. 2, 1848 Mexico relinquishes claims on Texas (Rio Grande border) cedes northern half of its territory (Mexican cession) U.S. pays $15 million for the land and assumed Mexican debts to Americans of $3.25 million 13,000 lives lost (only 1,700 in battle) “Schoolroom of the Civil War” – Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, George McClellan, Jefferson Davis

Californios a term used to identify a Californian of Hispanic; most were descendants of the Spanish and Mexican conquerors who had once ruled California. Much of Californio society lived at or near the many missions; but they were overthrown with the influx of Anglo goldiggers and by 1870 the Californios' brief ascendency had utterly vanished.