Immigration, Expansion and Sectional Conflict

New Wave of Immigrants: Between 1815 to 1860, more than 5 million immigrants arrived Majority from Ireland Potato famine forced them to search for better living Second largest group- Germans Growth of nativism- hostility toward foreigners

Manifest Destiny: Westward movement Manifest Destiny - idea that God had given the continent to Americans and wanted them to settle western land Settlers move out west for land, new life Overlanders-People who traveled in wagon trains to settle the west

Texas Revolution Mexico gains independence from Spain in 1821 Invites Americans to settle Texas under certain requirements: –Become Mexican citizens –Follow Mexican law– which did not allow slavery –Convert to Roman Catholicism Americans refused to follow requirements Eventually leads to rebellion American settlers and dissatisfied Mexicans fought for their independence against Mexico’s dictator, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna

The Alamo: 1836 Sam Houston leads the Texan army In 1836, Santa Anna attacks the Alamo, an abandoned Spanish Mission in San Antonio Later, the Texan defeat at the Alamo and Goliad prompted a surprise attack at the Battle of San Jacinto Lone Star Republic formed– 1836 Sam Houston elected a president Famous Americans such as Davy Crockett, James Bowie and 180 other Texan rebels were defeated at the Alamo in San Antonio

Texas: Slave or Free State Tensions brewing for a long time between U.S. and Mexico By Congress annexing Texas, risked war Some in Congress wanted Texas admitted because it was populated with southern slave owners Northerners did not want it admitted to Union as slave state Van Buren rejected annexation, but eventually approved by a joint resolution of Congress in the last day of the Tyler administration (1845), not by treaty

Election of 1844 DemocratsWhigs James K Polk – Tennessee -- Running Mate: George Dallas Henry Clay – Kentucky -- Running Mate: Theodore Freylinghuysen Polk – 1,339,494 votes – 49.5% Clay – 1,300,004 votes – 48.1 %

Texas Enters the Union: 1845 Texas joined Union in 1845 Mexico outraged, didn’t acknowledge Texas independence Mexico broke diplomatic relations with U.S. Dispute over the borders also began Pres. Polk sent an envoy to Mexico Mexican president refused to meet with envoy

The Mexican War 1. Polk sent General Zachary Taylor to the Mexican Border (Nueces River at Corpus Christi)

The Mexican War 1.Polk ordered Taylor to advance the Rio Grande. Taylor begins to construct fortifications at across from Matamoros. 2.Polk also ordered Commodore David Connor to the coast of Vera Cruz 3. Mexican General Arista crossed the Rio Grande and attacks an American scouting party. 4. April Taylor tells Polk that “hostilities have commenced” 5. May 1846 – war declared; Taylor crosses Rio Grande and occupies Mataoros

The Mexican War June 1846 – Colonel Stephen Kearny to move troops from Leavenworth, Kansas Territory to occupy New Mexico and then proceed to California July 4, 1846 – Americans in California declare the Bear Flag Republic under Captain John Fremont. July 7, 1846 – American fleet takes Monterey, California –“Bear Flaggers” declare allegiance to the U.S. February 1847 – Battle of Buena Vista –4500 American troops defeated 20,000 Mexican troops March,1 847 – General Winfield Scott captured Vera Cruz

The Mexican War September 1847 – Scott took possession of Mexico City

U.S. Gains Feb., Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo –California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona New Mexico gained –U.S. assumption of Mexican debts –Rio Grande established as southern boundary of Texas

Dispute Over Oregon: Peaceful Resolution During Texas dispute, U.S. split Oregon Territory peacefully with Britain U.S. owned Oregon south of the 49 th parallel Canadian border formalized

New Territory Opens Old Conflicts Wilmot Proviso: August, 1846 –Attached to a funding bill for negotiations with Mexico –Required that slavery be banned from all new territories –Defeated in the Senate, but had a popular following.

New Territory Opens Old Conflicts John C Calhoun– –Proposed that all territory was commonly held all states. –Every America citizen should be allowed to take his property in any territory or states –The Compromise of 1820 was unconstitutional

New Territory Opens Old Conflicts Lewis Cass – proposed “squatter rights” – i.e. Popular Sovereignty.

Election of 1848 Whigs -- Taylor Democrats -- Cass Free Soilers - -Van Buren