Chapter 17 Manifest Destiny and Its Legacy 1841-1848

Tippecanoe and Tyler Too Harrison not very commanding figure Webster (SOS) and Clay (Senate Whigs leader) thought they’d run presidency Harrison death disrupted their plans John Tyler: Vice President - Democrat at heart and contradicted many of the Whig Party's ideas. Tippecanoe and Tyler Too

John Tyler: Democrat in Whigs Clothing Whigs introduced many policy changes Financial reform Independent treasury system ended "Fiscal Bank” - establish a new Bank of the United States Went through Congress, but Tyler vetoed it "Fiscal Corporation” Tyler vetoed it Tyler rejected by former Whig Party Reluctantly signed the Tariff of 1842 because he recognized the government's need for revenue John Tyler:  Democrat in Whigs Clothing

A War of Words with Britain 19th Century marked by periods of public disdain for Britain "Third War with England” - fought with editorials in papers 1837 - small rebellion in Canada. Failed because it was backed by few Canadians. American ship, the Caroline, was carrying military supplies to rebelling Canadians when it was sunk by British ship Washington officials made ineffective protests against the attack 1841 - British officials in Bahamas offered asylum to 130 Virginia slaves who had rebelled and captured the American ship Creole A War of Words with Britain

Manipulating the Maine Maps  1842 - British wanted to build a road linking the seaport of Halifax to Quebec Proposed road ran through disputed territory in northern Maine Skirmishes between locals broke out - Aroostook War. To prevent wider-reaching war – London sent ambassador to deal with issue Negotiated and agreed to new boundary for Maine that put the disputed road in Canadian territory Manipulating the Maine Maps

8 years following 1836 - Mexico considered Texas one of their provinces that was in revolt Refused to recognize Texas's independence Threatened war if America protected Texas Texas made treaties with France, Holland, and Belgium. Britain interested in independent Texas Fragment and weaken America Or, trading partner Texas

More Texas Texas leading issue in 1844 presidential race Democrats - pro-expansion and supported the annexation of Texas Whigs - opposed Democrats won - Polk Lame duck President Tyler acquired Texas before he left the presidency 1845 resolution - invited Texas to become the 28th state in America More Texas

Four nations claimed parts of the Oregon Country at one time: Spain, Russia, Britain, and the United States.  Spain gave up territory with the Florida Treaty of 1819, Russia gave land with treaties of 1824 and 1825. Britain controlled Oregon territory north of Columbia River America controlled southern territory Became an issue in 1844 election Oregon

A Mandate for Manifest Destiny Election of 1844 Whigs - Henry Clay Democrats -  James K. Polk. Polk won election Known as "Young Hickory Would protect Texas, and avoided the issue of slavery. 1840s and 1850s - idea of Manifest Destiny spread across America God had destined them to spread their democratic institutions over the entire continent and South America Democrats strongly supported idea of Manifest Destiny A Mandate for Manifest Destiny

President Polk Polk had four main goals for his presidency: Lower tariff Restore independent treasury, which the Whigs dropped in 1841 because the Whigs won the presidency Acquire California Deal with disputed territory in Oregon without violence Robert J. Walker: Secretary of Treasury to James Polk -  Walker Tariff of 1846 tariff-for-revenue bill that reduced the tariff from 32% to 25% Independent treasury restored in 1846 Britain presented Polk with Oregon Country up to the 49th parallel President Polk

Misunderstand-ings with Mexico Population of California in 1845 consisted of Spanish- Mexicans and Indians Polk wanted to buy California (The Bear Flag Republic) from Mexico but relations with Mexico were poor due to annexation of Texas. John Slidell: sent by Polk to Mexico City in 1845 to buy California for $25 million Offer was rejected Misunderstand-ings with Mexico

 Jan 13, 1846, Polk ordered 4,000 men under General Taylor to Rio Grande.  May 9, 1846, Polk asked Congress to declare war on Mexico  Unpaid claims and Slidell's rejection of purchasing California Prior to request, Mexican troops had already attacked American troops War was subsequently declared. Many people accused Polk of provoking war. Mexico not willing to sell California Polk willing to end war if they got California Mexican American War

End of the War Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed on February 2, 1848. Ceded Texas and the area that included California to America for $15 million. This area was about half of Mexico. Antislavery Whigs in Congress ("Conscience Whigs") opposed treaty because they had originally opposed war. Expansionists also opposed the treaty because they wanted all of Mexico, not just part of it. End of the War

Profit and Loss in Mexico Mexican War provided field experience for officers who became generals in Civil War, including Captain Robert E. Lee and Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant David Wilmot: proposed an amendment that stated that the territory from Mexico should remain slave-free – Wilmot Proviso Never passed Senate because Southern members did not want to remove possibility of future slave states from this territory Profit and Loss in Mexico