THIS IS THE IMPENDING CRISIS FOR THE UNITED STATES SASSO US I Manifest Destiny

Until the 1840’s the tensions between the North and South remained somewhat contained Two issues will wreck the delicate balance between the sections- territorial expansion and the expansion of slavery The North- home of the growing and increasingly powerful abolitionist movement The South- ardent defender of slavery The battleground will become the West

Manifest Destiny What is Manifest Destiny? Kind of like the perfect storm of American patriotism and arrogance Belief that America was destined, both religiously and historically, to expand it’s boundaries from sea to sea Some proponents wanted even more- thoughts of Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, and the Pacific enter some minds Others, particularly Henry Clay, warned that territorial expansion could be very dangerous His advice is overlooked

Manifest Destiny Two immediate areas of interest #1 Texas- The United States had been infatuated with Texas since the LA Purchase Property of Mexico- Mexican govt. makes a huge mistake in the 1820’s by encouraging American immigration Stephen F. Austin- American empresario General Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana- Mexican dictator War for Texas Independence Alamo/Goliad/San Jacinto Santa Ana forced to sign a treaty (Velasco) giving Texas its independence

Manifest Destiny As soon as Texas “won” its independence, Texan President Sam Houston sent delegates to Washington Many Southern Congressmen were excited by the prospect of acquiring Texas; Many Northerners were not President Jackson BLOCKED annexation of Texas, Van Buren ignored it (shocker), and Harrison did not live long enough to deal with it Texas will cast out on its own- The Lone Star Republic- and becomes an interesting player in world affairs The issue will come down to a man nobody really voted for- President John Tyler

Manifest Destiny Tyler will persuade Texas to apply for statehood again in 1844 His Sec. of State (Calhoun) presents an annexation treaty that seems like the sole purpose would be to expand slavery- gets defeated Texas will be one of the key issues in the Election of 1844

Manifest Destiny Area #2- Oregon The Oregon Territory was huge- extended well into Canada We had a “joint occupation” with England, but neither nation really settled the territory Mostly made up of American and Canadian fur traders

The Election of 1844 Most feel that the election will be between two old rivals: Henry Clay and Martin Van Buren Both are pretty non- committal on expansion Ends up ending Van Buren’s run- the Democrats will pass him over in favor of a “dark horse” candidate James K. Polk (TN)

The Election of 1844 The Whigs portray Polk as being some obscure candidate- “Who IS James K. Polk?” Not that obscure- spent 14 years in the House, 4 as the Speaker He and the Democrats will combine the issues of Texas and Oregon as a way to appeal to both the North and South Democrats- “54-40 or FIGHT!” Closer election than it appeared in favor of Polk, but the popular vote was very close

The Election of 1844 One of Polk's goals is actually accomplished by Tyler on his way out the door Seeing the election of Polk as a mandate for the annexation of Texas, Tyler was able to win Congressional approval in February, 1845 Polk inaugurated in March, Texas becomes a state in December British and Americans come to an agreement on the Northern border of the Oregon territory in June of th parallel, where it remains today