Ch. 17: Manifest Destiny and its Legacy

Pres. Harrison (9 th ) Whig (dies after 4 wks in office) V.P. Tyler (10 th ) “Democrat in Whig clothing”

Manifest Destiny Reasons & Effects ? 1.New markets needed 2.Increase trade w/Asia if we had western ports 3.Democrats a.Expansionist b.Eco. necessity c.Increase slavery 4.Whigs growth through industrialization not agriculture John O’Sullivan

Aroostook “War” 1839 The only war ever declared by a state.  Between the Canadian region of New Brunswick and the state of Maine.  Cause: The expulsion of Canadian lumberjacks in the disputed area of Aroostook by Maine officials.  Congress called up 50,000 men and voted for $10,000,000 to pay for the “war.”  General Winfield Scott arranged a truce, and a border commission was convened to resolve the issue.

Maine Boundary Settlement, 1842

Texas Declaration of Independence

Key Figures in Texas Independence, 1836 Sam Houston ( ) Steven Austin ( )

The Republic of Texas

The Lone Star State Still considered province of Mexico Independence was not recognized by Mexico but by France, Holland, and Belgium GB toyed with idea of an independent Texas; divide and conquer U.S. and U.S. stop expansion = Free trade at ports, abolition, and cotton production attractive for G.B. Thanks to Pres. Tyler for annexation of Texas

Westward Bound! Should we worry about being attacked by Natives?

>250,000 move between 1840 and 1860

The Oregon Trail – Albert Bierstadt, 1869

Realities

“Oregon Fever” 1.Early on: commercial/fur 2.Convention of 1818: US/GB share territory 3.Settled by a.Farmers b.Fur trappers c.Missionaries 4.Free land & patriotism

Settling Oregon a.Settlers made state constitution – British not happy! b.“54’ 40 or Fight!” Oregon Treaty peacefully settles boundary dispute at the 49 th parallel (1846) under Pres. Polk; too many of us in the territory!

Texas and Election of 1844 Whig Henry Clay Democrat James K. Polk “Young Hickory”

Texas and Election of Issues of election a.Expansion b.Slavery c.Statehood for Texas 2.Liberty Party – 3 rd party James Birney Liberty Party

American Progress, 1872 John Gast

Manifest Destiny John L. O’Sullivan, 1845 ".... the right of our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federaltive development of self-government entrusted to us. It is right such as that of the tree to the space of air and the earth suitable for the full expansion of its principle and destiny of growth." The West: romantic and adventurous?

Goals of “Young Hickory” 1.Established an independent treasury system 2.Acquire Oregon Country 3.Reduce tariffs 4.Acquire California and New Mexico from Mexico From Tennessee!

The Mexican-American War May Feb.1848

Origins Of the Mex-Amer War 1.Border disputes: “I say Rio Grande, you say Nueces!” 2.$25 m offer by Polk to Mex for Rio Grande, N.M., and Ca. = they refused 3. Polk sets the stage: a.Sends Gen. Taylor to Rio Grande Ca. ports if war declared c.Supports Bear Flag Revolt = Ca. Independence April 1846: Exaggerated skirmish = war

Mexican Dictator Santa Anna Double-crosser!

Battle of Buena Vista Feb ,000 American vs. 20,000 Mexicans Lead by Gen. Zachary Taylor

Battle of Mexico City Sept Gen. Winfield Scott

To the victor the spoils!

Mr. Polk’s War 1.Not all in Congress on board a.Lincoln/Whigs – “unnecessary war” b.Presidential war powers questioned 2.Although no military experience, Polk controls strategy = “commander in chief” 3.Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (Feb. 1848) 4.Gadsden Purchase - $10 m for TRR under Pres. Pierce 5.Diplomatic relations worsen between LA and US.

Mexican-American War was practice for what was to come…

Wilmot Proviso (1846) No slavery in any of the territory ceded by Mexico Northern Whigs and Democrats vs. Southern Whigs and democrats

Gadsden Purchase