MR. LIPMAN’S APUS CHAPTER 17 POWER POINT MANIFEST DESTINY AND THE DRIVE FOR MORE LAND

Keys to the Chapter The issue of Oregon (54/40 or fight) Texas annexation California Mexican – American War - Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago ( ) Wilmot Proviso and the issue of Slavery Issues with England based upon America as a borrower nation and England a lending nation

John Tyler (Whig) President after Harrison dies only 30 days after inauguration – Virginian aristocrat and former democrat – Vetoes attempt to start a new national bank and Whigs mad at him and call him a traitor – His entire cabinet (except Webster) resigns and he is expelled from the Whig Party – Signs Tariff Bill because Govt needs $

British mad at America Panic of 1837 resulted in some states not paying back $ borrowed from Britain Americans provided guns and aid to Canadians to rebel against British rule British had abolished slavery and offered asylum to some escaped slaves in Bahamas British seeks to build road with part of it in Maine on disputed territory so deal made.

Maine Boundary Settlement, 1842

The Issue of Texas Texas gained independence in 1836 – 1839 – 1840 – signs treaties with France, Holland, Belgium as independent nation – England wanted Texas to stay independent to prevent America from getting too strong 1. Would grow cotton for British textile mills 2. Would have “free trade” instead of Tariff like America had

1844 Election issue is Texas & Polk wins Tyler okays annexation of Texas before leaving office and gets Congress to okay by simple majority vote Texas becomes a state in early 1845 and Mexico is very mad

The Battle over Oregon Borders are in dispute – 4 nations originally claimed part of Oregon Spain, Russia, Britain, US – 1819 – Spain gave up its claim to US in Florida Treaty – 1824 – 1825 – Russia moved north of 54° 40’ in treaties with US and Britain – British claim land North of Columbia River

Treaty of 1818 – US and Britain had agreed on 49 th parallel as northern border of Louisiana Purchase – US and Britain would share Oregon Country – 1840s Americans start a rush to Oregon Country using the Oregon Trail – The controversy begins to grow concerning the boundary line of the 49 th parallel and Americans now greatly outnumber British

U.S.-British Boundary Settlement, 1818

The Oregon Controversy 1846

Manifest Destiny A belief that God had destined US to expand from Atlantic to Pacific Oceans – Combination of “empire” and “liberty” US would control land and spread democracy over continent – Heavily influenced the election of 1844 and the election of Polk who promised to fulfill destiny {Texas and Oregon}

Manifest Destiny

Election of 1844 – Polk beats Clay in close election – Clay alienated many abolitionists in North with position on Texas Clay would have won election, but lost New York by 5,000 votes Democrats and Polk believed they had mandate for expansionist policy – Unclear that they did

PRESIDENT POLK Took life seriously and was very hard working – Developed 4-point program and achieved it in his 1 term Lower tariff Restoration of independent treasury (passed 1846) Settlement of Oregon problem with Britain obtained in 1846 with approval of annexation of territory at 49 th parallel. Acquisition of California (offered to purchase it but can’t make deal with Mexico) because in April 1846 Mexican troops fire on Americans and now even North agrees to war with Mexico

The START OF THE WAR August 1846 – General Stephen Kearny takes fort at Santa Fe – then marches to California but Fremont already won the battle there June 1846 – Captain John C. Frémont works with Americans in California and US Navy to overthrow Mexicans – Establishes independent Bear Flag Republic

Result of war is renewed Slavery Issue North claimed that war was fought to expand slavery Most land gained was south of 36° 30’ line – Wilmot Proviso David Wilmot : representative from Pennsylvania in 1846 proposes to ban slavery in any territory taken from Mexico Passed House, but not Senate; southerners refused to give in but North wanted it – Slavery issues brought up by Mexican War will not be settled until Civil War

Major Campaigns of the Mexican War

Two Key Generals win the War 1846 – 1847 – General Zachary Taylor (“Old Rough and Ready”) invades Mexico by land Early 1847 – General Winfield Scott (“old Fuss and Feathers”) lands at Vera Cruz and moves north to Mexico City – September 1847 – American victory at Mexico City under Scott

February 2, 1848 – Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed by negotiator Nicholas Trist and Mexicans – US given official title to Texas – Mexican Cession Land of present-day Southwest, including California to America (key to deal) – US pays $15 million for the land – US pays $3.25 million that Mexico owed to US citizens for prior debts from Texas

Polk submitted treaty to Senate but many in North oppose it: – Northern Whigs opposed war and expansion of southern land (where slavery would be practiced) Had even threatened to cut off funding for war in 1847 – Expansionists (especially Democratic Southerners) wanted to take all of Mexico to expand slavery – Congress eventually compromised and approved treaty

Two Famous Quotes about War Emerson: “Mexico will poison us” Calhoun: “Mexico is to us the forbidden fruit… the penalty for eating it would be to subject our institutions to political death”