Manifest Destiny and Its Legacy Chapter 17

Gone to Texas Americans want Texas, remote backwater of Spanish Empire US abandoned claim in 1819 1823- new Mexican government gives land to Stephen Austin to bring settlers 2 conditions settlers had to become Mexican citizens, become Catholic Ignored by settlers, annoyed by presence of Mexican soldiers and government Settlers typical American individualist, did not want to be pushed around Slavery an issue, outlawed in Mex., settlers brought slaves anyway 1836 Mex. Leader Santa Ana attempts to repress Texans independence

The Lone Star Rebellion Early 1836 Texans declare independence Santa Anna attacks Alamo and Goliad become rallying cries for Texans, galvanized Americans behind Texas cause Gen. Sam Houston lures Mexicans east to San Jacinto (near present day Houston), and defeats Santa Anna Forces Santa Anna to sign treaty giving land to Rio Grande to Texas and removing troops from region Mex. Does not recognize agreement Texas becomes an independent republic but wanted to be part of the United States Refused admission, abolitionists did want new slave state Seen as a plot against slavery to Southerners

I. The Accession of “Tyler Too” 1840’s territorial expansion dominated politics, diplomacy War with Mexico, gained territory from Texas to California and questions of status of slavery 1841 William Henry Harrison (Whig) elected and died in office Real leaders of Whigs Clay, Webster tried to push agenda, thwarted by John Tyler (VP, now president) Tyler supporter of states rights Clay and others tried to push nationalistic political agenda Whigs pushed for new bank, tariffs; all vetoed by Tyler

II. War of Words with Britain British looked down on Americans, increased tension with America Americans borrowed extensively from British banks (many defaulted on loans during Panic of 1837) 1837 Caroline incident with Canada, 1841 slaves offered asylum in Bahamas (southern fear of Caribbean becoming haven for escaped slaves), 1842 border disputes in Maine (settled by Webster- Ashburton Treaty)

III. Texas and Oregon 1836- Texas achieves independence, not recognized by Mexico Britain, France interested in Texas as place for cotton production, check American power Texas as independent nation threatened US Presidential campaign 1844 issue of expansion Texas annexed by joint resolution of Congress 1844 James K. Polk won election on expansion platform Texas became state 1845 Oregon country enormous wilderness Claimed by many different countries until 1825, then only US and Britain British claims based on occupation American claims based on exploration and occupation 1830’s American missionaries settle Willamette Valley, stimulates interest of Americans 1840’s number of Americans increases, came over Oregon Trail British had few settlers, weaker claim than Americans

IV. Manifest Destiny and the Election of 1844 Election of 1844 between Henry Clay and James Polk Major election issue Manifest Destiny Feeling that America’s duty was to spread ideals of democracy across continent (idea of expansion and liberty) Expansion ignored national boundaries, came at the expense of others Expansionist Democrats won election felt they had a mandate to take Texas and Oregon New President James K. Polk had 4 point program – lower tariff, create independent treasury, acquire Oregon and California 1846 US and Britain compromise on Oregon territory border (dying fur trade made British lose interest in Oregon)

V. War with Mexico Americans wanted San Francisco and San Diego Bays as ports on Pacific and to expand American trade to Asia Americans saw weakness in Mexican control of borderlands Polk eager to buy California, Mexicans would not sell Wanted California to balance admission of Texas with a free state US/Mexico issues over boundary of Texas Mexican claim was boundary at Nueces River, American claim was Rio Grande Rumors of British wanting to purchase California, could not be tolerated under Monroe doctrine 1846 Polk sends troops to Texas, march from Nueces River to Rio Grande April 1846 US soldiers killed and Polk asks for war, Congress overwhelmingly supports it

V. War with Mexico Many northerners and Whigs saw this as a land grab and war for extension of slavery Lincoln (then Rep. from Illinois) pushes “spot resolutions” to show where blood was shed on American soil Both sides wanted war, America to teach Mexicans a lesson, Mexicans saw US a bully to the north South and West supported war The US unprepared for the war. Ill equipped volunteers filled the American army Advantages over the Mexican military that had outdated equipment and little motivation to fight. American industrial base to prepare and equip an army, superior leadership United States won easily over the Mexican forces in 1847 California- John Fremont led a revolt against Mexican rule and declared the state “The Bear Flag Republic”

V. War with Mexico 1848- War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Gave US vast new territory, paid Mexico $15 million dollars for land Many Americans thought that US should not stop with Mexico European countries had new respect for American military The Mexican American War was a blatant war of conquest that would have occurred through migration eventually The war also trained the next generation of generals (Lee, Grant) to fight America’s next war – the Civil War Turning point in US relations with Latin America, became suspicious of “Colossus of the North” War aroused issue of slavery and its expansion 1846- David Wilmot tries to introduce amendment that slavery should not exist in new territory, never passed the Senate but symbolized issue of slavery in territories (Wilmot Proviso)