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Manifest Destiny: An Empire for Liberty or Slavery?
Chapter 13 Manifest Destiny: An Empire for Liberty or Slavery? Web
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Growth as the American Way
Growth became watchword of America Land acquired through annexation, negotiation, and war “Young America” movement and “Manifest Destiny” Relentless pressure on limits of Indian settlements Appeal of West as source of expansion Oregon and California were especially attractive Missions and presidios in California Mormon migration to Utah, 1847 Joseph Smith, Zion and polygamy
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©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc
©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license. Overland Trails
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Republic of Texas At first, Mexican leaders encouraged U.S. settlement in Texas Restrictions eventually imposed Texans declared and won independence in 1836 The Alamo Battle of San Jacinto Then petitioned for annexation to the United States Jackson, then Van Buren, refused to act on annexation After assuming office upon Harrison’s death, Tyler was ready to move
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Republic of Texas (cont)
Annexation treaty negotiated Defeated by northerners in Congress who opposed expanding slavery Became an issue in election of 1844 Democrat James K. Polk ran on pro-annexationist platform Both Texas and Oregon Polk won close election Tyler saw election as mandate for annexation Submitted joint resolution to accomplish it Texas became fifteenth slave state in March 1845 Polk peacefully reached compromise with Britain over Oregon in 1846
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Mexican War Polk provoked to acquire California and New Mexico
First sought to purchase territories from Mexico Buttress with show of force on Texas–Mexico border Declaration of war passed in May Almost all Whigs supported, though they had doubts War was a stunning and complete American victory Zachary Taylor Stephen Kearney and Alexander Doniphan John Fremont Winfield Scott
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Mexican War (cont) War generated significant opposition at home
Whigs and Northeasterners opposed Wilmot Proviso tried to prevent expansion of slavery into any territory gained from Mexico Defeated along party line vote in Congress Framed national debate over slavery for next fifteen years Question of slavery made peace treaty with Mexico difficult U.S. gained California, New Mexico, and favorable Texas boundary Paid Mexico $15 million in exchange Wilmot Proviso
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Principal Campaigns of the Mexican War, 1846–1847
©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license. Principal Campaigns of the Mexican War, 1846–1847
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Election of 1848 Many believed election would settle question of slavery Field of potential candidates was crowded Livery Party opposed expanding slavery, endorsed John P. Hale John C. Calhoun articulated extreme states’ rights position James Buchanan was middle-ground Democrat Lewis Cass championed “popular sovereignty” concept Democrats nominated Cass Whigs went with Zachary Taylor Antislavery Whigs bolted and joined Liberty Party Free-Soil Party created to oppose slavery, choose Van Buren Taylor won with solid Southern support, with some backing from North
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Free and Slave States and Territories, 1848
©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license. Free and Slave States and Territories, 1848
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Gold Rush and California Statehood
Discovery of gold accelerated timetable for territorial organization Complicated by questions of slavery Southerners wanted unqualified access for slavery Northerners opposed expansion of slavery into California Issue heated up even further when Taylor proposed immediate statehood Would have allowed for free state status, as slavery not then present
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Compromise of 1850 Henry Clay sought to settle several outstanding questions Paired proposals to unite North and South California as free state; rest of Mexican cession without restrictions on slavery Texas boundary settlement to favor New Mexico; assumption of Texas debt Abolish slave trade in DC; protect slavery there unless Maryland and Virginia consented to abolition Congress affirmed it had no jurisdiction over interstate slave trade, strong fugitive slave law
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Compromise of 1850 (cont) Generated numerous speeches in Congress
Most notable from John C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster, William H. Seward At first, various proposals were lumped together in one bill Senators and representatives voted against it in order to kill parts they disliked Stephen Douglas changed tactics and separated the various components Won support gradually, piece by piece Helped by death of Taylor and replacement by Millard Fillmore Not the final settlement supporters had hoped for
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Fugitive Slave Law Constitution provided for return of escaped slaves, but controversy had always existed over how Antislavery movement hampered state compliance after the 1830s Prigg v. Pennsylvania (1842) ruled that enforcement was entirely a federal responsibility Some Northern states passed personal liberty laws to prevent recapture of fugitive slaves Underground Railroad
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Fugitive Slave Law (cont)
Northerners who did not necessarily oppose slavery opposed return of fugitives Southerners saw return as matter of honor and rights Law created extensive system for capturing and returning runaways Abolitionists vowed to resist Even non-abolitionists were shocked at reality of enforcing the law Led to writing of Uncle Tom’s Cabin in 1851; published in 1852 Runaway best-seller Wide but hostile readership in South Helped shape an entire generation’s view of slavery
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Filibustering Target of Southern interest for expanding slavery
Purchase offer in 1848 rejected by Spain Southerners sought to foster rebellion on the island Several efforts in the 1850s failed Franklin Pierce entered White House in 1853 Plan to wrest Cuba from Spain instead Ostend Manifesto, 1854 Generated international uproar and domestic furor Issue part of presidential campaign in 1860 Secessionist crisis followed South also interested in Central America Exploits of William Walker in Nicaragua Web
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Discussion Questions What is Manifest Destiny? Why was it important to the U.S. in the 1800s? Is it still important today? Scrutinize the Mexican War. Why did it start? What was gained in the war? Was it a justifiable war? What was the Compromise of 1850? What impact did it have on the issue of slavery? How did Northerners resist the Fugitive Slave Law? How effective was this resistance?
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