Harrison’s Death “Tyler Too” John Tyler – More a Democrat, but he was a Whig only b/c he didn’t like Jackson. –Disagreed with party on almost ever major issue Whigs were pro-bank, pro-protective tariff, and pro-internal improvements – Tyler, not so much Clay (Senate) and Webster (SofS) pull out Whig platform –Legislation ending the Nat’l Treasury (set up under Van Buren) – Tyler signs –Legislation establishing a new BUS Tyler Vetoed (Democrat in Whig clothing) –Expelled from party, entire Cabinet resigned (except Sof S Daniel Webster—busy with British negotiations)

Britain Canadian insurrection against the British –Americans provide military supplies and helped fight even though fed. Gov attempted to uphold neutrality 1837 ~ Caroline – U.S. ship carrying supplies to Canadian insurgents across Niagara River. –Attacked by British on New York shore –Unlawful invasion of American soil 1841 ~ British offer asylum to 130 escaped slaves – Captured Creole

Maine 1842 ~ Maine Boundary Dispute –British wanted road from Halifax to Quebec Plans ran through disputed territory –“Aroostook War” – lumberjack clash –“Split-the-difference” – Webster-Ashburton Treaty Line Americans got a bit more land, but British secured the road route.

Texas Not recognized by Mexico as independent Threatened war against U.S. if annexed To maintain protection (costly), Texans were forced to enter negotiations with Britain and France for protectorate status –Why are the British interested?

British Interest in Texas British Interested in Independent Texas – puppeted by Britain –Check Southern movement of America –Abolition If successful in abolishing in Texas, maybe insight rebellion by slave in southern U.S. –Cotton – less dependence on American cotton

Manifest Destiny Sense of mission Almighty God had “manifestly” destined the American people to spread democracy over the entire continent (and perhaps South America) Annexation of Texas became primary issue of 1844 Election –Democrats (pro-expansion)– James K. Polk -- wins –Whigs – Henry Clay

Annexing Texas Texas – Tyler believed he had a “mandate” from the people to annex Texas (pro-expansionist platform) –Election results –Desire to “save” his troubled presidency Not really clear “mandate” – Tyler (Democrat in Whigs clothing) signed 3 days before leaving office Mexico unhappy Was America justified? –1836 vs. 1845? –Could Mexico reclaim? –Threatening Foreign interest?

Oregon 1818 – Americans want to 49 th parallel British wanted Columbia River – vital trade –Joint Occupation 1840s -- U.S. settlement increases –Oregon Trail –British are losing the settlement race – look for negotiations Issue tossed into election of 1844 –Polk offers 49 th parallel (again) – British accept (Columbia River not as vital as once thought) Americans might take over ALL of Oregon someday… “get while the gettin’s good.”

James K. Polk 4 point program –Lower Tariff – 32 to 25% w/ Walker Tariff of 1846 –Restoration of Independent Treasury – dismantled by Clay (signed by John Tyler) –Settlement of Oregon dispute – agreed on 49 th Parallel –Acquisition of California Polk wanted to buy California from Mexico – Manifest Destiny and San Francisco bay –Problem: Diplomatic ties had been severed after annexation of Texas by Tyler right before leaving office Sends John Slidell with $ 25 million Mexican government refuses to allow Slidell to present offer

Mexico Polk orders 4,000 men from the Nueces River to the Rio Grande under General Zachary Taylor April 25, 1846 – Mexican troops crossed the Rio Grande and attack –16 causalities Polk calls for war – “American Blood on American Soil!” –???

Did Polk Provoke War? Bent the truth to bend Am. Public toward war. Mexicans had good reason to regard Mexico as their own Mexico would not sell California – his plan Haste – British might lay claim

Mexico Polk wanted California, but not war –When war came he wanted to limit Main thrust from General Zachary Taylor “Old Rough and Ready” –5,000 against 20,000 –Became “Hero of Buena Vista” On to Mexico City (1847) –General Winfield Scott “Old Fuss and Feathers” –Inadequate #s, terrain, enemy, disease

Peace Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) –U.S. acquires Texas and area westward to Oregon and the Pacific (including California) = 1/2 of Mexico –U.S. pays $15 million Needed congressional approval quickly –Anti-slavery Whigs were threatening –Some expansionists were calling for ALL of Mexico Policing Anti-slaveryites Slidell = $25 million War = 18,250,000 (usually winners don’t pay)

Results U.S. increased land holdings by 1/3 –Greater than the Louisiana Purchase Experience for officers that would later fight in the Civil War –Lee, Grant Increased respect of American military Relations with Latin America deteriorated –“Colossus of the North” – greedy and untrustworthy bully Issue of Slavery Resurfaced –Wilmot Proviso – Slavery should never exist in any of the territory gained from Mexico. Never became federal law