1. Manifest Destiny & Its Legacy (1841-1848)
Chapter 17

2. A. The Accession of “Tyler Too” in 1841
Harrison’s Hard-Ciderites- Whigs
John Tyler- VP-> Pres.
Harrison weak war hero
Clay- Senate
Webster- Sec. of State

3. Harrison died- Tyler as Pres.
Not respected as a Whig or Democrat

4. B. John Tyler: Pres. w/out a party
Clay’s nationalistic plan
Financial reform
End independent treasury- signed
New national bank- vetoed twice
New tariff plan- vetoed
Tyler expelled from Whigs

5. C. War of Words w/ Britain
Hatred for British- 2 wars
British hatred for Americans
No American copyright laws
America- borrower/ Britain- lender

6. Caroline incident- 1837

7. McLeod’s Murderous Boast

8. Creole incident- 1841

9. D. Manipulating the Maine Map
Disputed Maine territory
Proposed British road
Aroostook War- 1842
Lord Ashburton & Sec. of State Webster

10. E. The Lone Star of TX Shines Alone
Mexico’s stance
TX negotiations w/ GB & Fr- protection
GB & an independent TX
Stop US expansion
Cotton

11. F. The Belated TX Nuptials
Election of 1844
Whigs- Henry Clay
Liberty Party – Birney – killed Clay’s chances in NY
Democrats- James K. Polk- winner

12. H. Mandate (?) for Manifest Destiny
James K. Polk- Dem. (dark horse()
Henry Clay- Whig
Main issue expansion- manifest destiny
Texas
Oregon
Whigs against expansion
Clay straddled the fence on TX annexation
Anti-TX Liberty Party
Mandate?
Tyler’s decision

14. Tyler- mandate for expansion- annexed TX in 1845
Joint Res. Instead of Treaty
Belief of a southern conspiracy to spread slavery
Plans to expand North- Oregon Territory or fight!

16. G. Oregon Fever Populates Oregon
Oregon Terriotry
Treaties of 1819, 1824, & 1825
GB & US main claimants
GB in North
US in South
Oregon fever- 1840s
Willamette River Valley
2,000 mile Oregon Trail
Being populated by Americans

17. I. Polk the Purposeful Polk’s personal goals Lower tariffs
Restore independent treasury
Annex all of Oregon
Annex California
SUCCESS!!

18. Southerners quieted after TX annexation
Polk proposed 49th parallel for OR June 1846
US already at war with Mexico
Northerners felt betrayed, but no war w/ GB

19. J. Misunderstandings With Mexico
Mixed population of CA
Mexicans, Indians, Americans
Polk’s desire for CA- offer of $3 million

20. Rumors of British in California John Slidell- $25 million offer
Texas question
Border- Nueces or Rio Grande
Rumors of British in California
John Slidell- $25 million offer

21. K. American Blood on American (?) Soil
Polk wanted to declare war on Mexico
Cabinet wanted Mexico to start it
General Zachary Taylor in disputed territory
April American casualties
Polk’s war message
Lincoln’s spot resolutions

22. L. The Mastering of Mexico
Santa Anna’s return- by Polk
General Stephen Kearny from Ft. Leavenworth, KS to Santa Fe, NM a

23. “Capt.” John C. Fremont & the Bear Flag Republic
Gen. Zachary Taylor to Buena Vista (1847)
Gen. Winfield Scott to Mexico City (1847)

24. M. Fighting Mexico for Peace
Nicholas Trist- sent by Polk, then recalled
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo- 2 Feb. 1848 TX
Mexican Cession
$15 million + US citizens’ claims against Mexico
Groups against treaty
Anti-expansionists
Super-expansionists
Polk had to move quickly- treaty passed

26. N. Profit & Loss in Mexico
13,000 American lives
Increased US territory by 1/3
Mexican Military Academy at Chapultepec- los ninos
Mexican (& Latin American) sentiment toward US

27. Mexican War as Training ground for Civil War

28. Slavery issue
Wilmot Proviso (beginning of war)- never passed

29. Gadsden Purchase