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

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

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

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

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

Caroline incident- 1837

McLeod’s Murderous Boast

Creole incident- 1841

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

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

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

H. Mandate (?) for Manifest Destiny James K. Polk- Dem. (dark horse() Henry Clay- Whig Main issue expansion- manifest destiny Texas Oregon- 54 40 Whigs against expansion Clay straddled the fence on TX annexation Anti-TX Liberty Party Mandate? Tyler’s decision

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- 54 40 or fight!

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

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

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

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

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

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 1846- 16 American casualties Polk’s war message Lincoln’s spot resolutions

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

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

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

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

Mexican War as Training ground for Civil War

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

Gadsden Purchase