Maine

Territorial Expansion by Mid-19 th CenturyCanada In 1839, fighting broke out between Maine & Canada over the disputed Maine border Webster-Ashburton TreatyWebster-Ashburton Treaty (1842) settled the issue: The U.S. received ½ the disputed land Established a clear border in Maine

War With Mexico

Tyler and Texas In 1844, President Tyler called for the annexation of Texas: –Tyler & Calhoun created a propaganda campaign that England wanted Texas & would end to slavery there –Northern Senators did not fall for it & refused to ratify the treaty to annex Texas –Tyler was not nominated by either party in the 1844 election Tyler needed to make Texas a campaign issue in the election of 1844 because he had been kicked out of the Whig Party & hoped to appeal to the common man

Polk & Texas Annexation In 1844, the Whigs nominated Henry Clay & the Democrats nominated James Polk Polk won on expansionist platform – Called for Texas annexation – Called for an end to the joint U.S.-British control of Oregon Polk & Congress interpreted the election as mandate for expansion & Texas was quickly made a state Appealed to the North Appealed to the South “Dark Horse” candidate

Oregon

Territorial Expansion by Mid-19 th CenturyOregon U.S. & Britain jointly occupied Oregon (Spain relinquished its claims to Oregon in the Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819) Britain claimed a greater stake of Oregon via Hudson Bay Co. (fur trade)

Polk and the Oregon Question In 1846, President Polk notified Britain that the U.S. wanted full control of Oregon England proposed & the Senate approved the division of Oregon along 49 o parallel in 1846 Benefits Benefits: the U.S. gained its 1 st deep-water port in the Pacific & Northern abolitionists saw Oregon as a balance to slave-state Texas Oregon residents wanted the entire territory—“54º40’ or fight!”

Northwest Boundary Dispute 54’ 40º or Fight! England & the U.S. agreed to divide Oregon at the 49 o parallel

Mexican-American War Mexico recognized Texas’ independence & U.S. annexation, but disagreed over Texas’ northern border In May 1846, Polk sent U.S. General Zachary Taylor beyond the Rio Grande River which led to the Mexican-American War

The Mexican-American War Zachary Taylor won in northern Mexico John C Fremont won in California Stephen Kearney captured New Mexico Winfield Scott captured Mexico City

Settling the Mexican-American War Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo In 1848, U.S. & Mexico agreed to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: –Rio Grande became the U.S. southern border Mexican Cession –The U.S. grew 20% by adding the Mexican Cession—present- day NM, AZ, CA, Utah, NV, & parts of CO & WY Gadsden Purchase –Added territory in NM & AZ with the Gadsden Purchase in 1853

The Mexican Cession Not everyone supported the Mexican-American War Whigs opposed it Northerners saw it as a Southern “slave-power” plot to extend slavery

Wilmot Proviso The 1846 Wilmot Proviso was a bold attempt by opponents of slavery to prevent its introduction in the territories purchased from Mexico following the Mexican War. Named after its sponsor, Democratic representative DAVID WILMOT of Pennsylvania, the proviso never passed both houses of Congress, but it did ignite an intense national debate over slavery that led to the creation of the antislavery REPUBLICAN PARTY in 1854.REPUBLICAN PARTY

California

Territorial Expansion by Mid-19 th Century California rancherosIn 1833, the new Mexican gov’t awarded land grants to rancheros who quickly replaced the missionary padres In 1830s, the U.S. was eager to enter the cowhide trade

California settlers used John Fremont’s occupation of California during the Mexican- American War as an opportunity to revolt from Mexico in 1846 The Bear Flag Republic Like Texas, California operated as an independent nation; the California Republic existed for one month from June 1846 to July 1846 when it was annexed by the United States California became a U.S. state as part of the Compromise of 1850

The California Gold Rush The discovery of gold in 1848 led to a massive influx of prospectors in 1849 (the “forty-niners”) : –Few miners struck it rich; Real money was in supplying miners with food, booze, & provisions –Led to a population boom, agriculture, & multicultural society in California

Where the 49ers Came From

San Francisco before the gold rush San Francisco after the gold rush

Conclusions Conclusions: The Costs of Expansion

U.S. Territorial Expansion

The Costs of Expansion The impact of territorial expansion: –Historian Fredrick Jackson Turner noted in the 1890s that expansion shaped Americans into an adventurous, optimistic, & democratic people –But, expansion created sectional conflicts between the North & South, especially over slavery