“Manifest Destiny” Causes and Effects of the War with Mexico

Expansion and Slavery Clay vs. Tyler. Tyler—states rights’ Southerner, Clay and Northern Whigs wanted federal internal improvements Clay vs. Tyler. Tyler—states rights’ Southerner, Clay and Northern Whigs wanted federal internal improvements –Tyler vetoes new Bank bill, all of Cabinet except Webster resigns Webster-Ashburton Treaty: settled border between Maine and Canada Webster-Ashburton Treaty: settled border between Maine and Canada

The Texas Problem Annexation of Texas: slavery question Annexation of Texas: slavery question –Americans settling despite Mexico’s attempts to stop them. Escalates in 1835 to rebellion –Mexican President Santa Anna meets William B. Travis and met at Alamo near San Antonio, 1836 –Mexicans finally kill everyone—even wounded! –Similar raid at Goliad –“You can go to hell, and I will go to Texas.” –Davy Crockett

The Alamo Today Isn’t there something I’m supposed to “remember” here?

Texas Becomes a Republic October 1836: Sam Houston leads troops to force Mexicans back across Rio Grande October 1836: Sam Houston leads troops to force Mexicans back across Rio Grande Jackson and Van Buren did not want to start war with Mexico by admitting TX Jackson and Van Buren did not want to start war with Mexico by admitting TX Tyler appoints Abel P. Upshur to secretary of State, orders him to annex—he is accidentally killed, and replaced by John C. Calhoun Tyler appoints Abel P. Upshur to secretary of State, orders him to annex—he is accidentally killed, and replaced by John C. Calhoun 1844: Whigs and Democrats oppose annexation or war with Mexico 1844: Whigs and Democrats oppose annexation or war with Mexico

Manifest Destiny California California Oregon Oregon

Election of 1844 Whigs nominate Clay, ignore TX issue Whigs nominate Clay, ignore TX issue Democrats split over Van Buren and Calhoun—so a dark horse, James Polk, got nomination Democrats split over Van Buren and Calhoun—so a dark horse, James Polk, got nomination Liberty Party and James G. Birney: votes in NY cost Clay election Liberty Party and James G. Birney: votes in NY cost Clay election Polk considered victory a mandate for expansion: Dec 1845 TX became a state, and allowed slavery Polk considered victory a mandate for expansion: Dec 1845 TX became a state, and allowed slavery

War with Mexico Polk orders Zachary Taylor to defend border—location in dispute Polk orders Zachary Taylor to defend border—location in dispute Polk sends John Slidell on secret mission to iron out border dispute, cancel Mexican debt in exchange for TX: Mexico refuses Polk sends John Slidell on secret mission to iron out border dispute, cancel Mexican debt in exchange for TX: Mexico refuses Polk orders Taylor to Rio Grande March 1846 Polk orders Taylor to Rio Grande March 1846 Relatively easy victory for U.S. Relatively easy victory for U.S.

Results? Zachary Taylor turning political Zachary Taylor turning political Some (Lincoln) questioned Polk’s motives Some (Lincoln) questioned Polk’s motives Fear of expansion of slavery Fear of expansion of slavery June 1846: American settlers in Sac. Valley raise Bear Flag of Republic of CA June 1846: American settlers in Sac. Valley raise Bear Flag of Republic of CA By February 1847, Americans won control of all of Mexico North of Mexico City, Winfield Scott leads troops By February 1847, Americans won control of all of Mexico North of Mexico City, Winfield Scott leads troops Winfield Scott takes Veracruz, March 1847 Winfield Scott takes Veracruz, March 1847

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Nicholas Trist, chief clerk of State Dept. does negotiating, joins Winfield Scott Nicholas Trist, chief clerk of State Dept. does negotiating, joins Winfield Scott Mexico accepted Rio Grande as border, Upper CA given to U.S.—paid $15 million Mexico accepted Rio Grande as border, Upper CA given to U.S.—paid $15 million Abolitionists enraged Abolitionists enraged “invasion…waged solely for the detestable and horrible purpose of extending and perpetuating American slavery.” --W.L. Garrison “invasion…waged solely for the detestable and horrible purpose of extending and perpetuating American slavery.” --W.L. Garrison