1. Introduction
During the 1840’s territorial expansion dominated diplomacy and politics
Texas, Oregon and California
Key Issue= slavery:
The expansion expands the fracture between pro- slave and anti-slavery

4. The Accession of “Tyler Too”
Election of 1840
Won by William Henry Harrison (Whig) “Tippecanoe & Tyler too”
Dies of pneumonia 4 weeks into his term
John Tyler takes over as President (former Democrat) “His accidency”
He is a Virginian, very old school and stubborn in principal.

5. A President without a Party
Whigs control Congress
Whig Program = very nationalistic
Pro-Bank
Pro-Tariff
Pro-Internal Improvements
WHY DO THESE STANCES MAKE SENSE FOR WHIGS?
It’s a cycle of success
Bank loans money for industry
Tariff protects industry
Internal improvements get goods from East to West

6. The Lone Star of Texas Shines Alone
Texas has gained its independence in 1836
Wants to be annexed to the United States, “Lone Star State”
PROBLEM
America’s foreign policy to be neutral Mexico DOES NOT recognize Texas’ independence
Texas is huge issue in election James K. Polk (Expansion ticket, Democrat) v. Henry Clay (Whig)

7. Polk the Purposeful: our Manifest Destiny president
Polk had 4 goals while president (4 point program)
Lower Tariff (Walker Tariff)
Lowered tariff from 32% to 25%
Restore Independent Treasury (1846)
Acquisition of California
Achieved with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Settle the dispute in Oregon “Fifty Four, Forty or Fight”

9. Profits and Loss in Mexico
POSITIVES
NEGATIVES
America’s land increased by 1/3
Spirit of Manifest Destiny
Justified West Point
Schoolroom for Civil War
Turning point in ugly relations between US and Latin America
Re-aroused slavery issue (new territories)

10. Misunderstanding with Mexico
Polk is very eager to buy California from Mexico
PROBLEM:
We have terrible relations with Mexico
Mexico owes $3 million in damages claimed by Americans.
Texas (Mexico thought we stole it)
Still a border dispute
Mexico thinks it is the Nueces River
US believes it is the Rio Grande

11. American Blood on American Soil
Polk sends Zachary Taylor to the Rio Grande with 4,000 troops.
Is this really the border?
Asks Congress to declare war (on 2 facts)
Unpaid claims ($3 million)
Slidell’s rejection
The Cabinet/Congress want Mexico to fire first

12. American Blood on American Soil
April 25, 1846 Mexican troops crossed Rio Grande and attack US troops.
Is this really the US’s soil?
Patriotic Congress says YES and declares war
Spot resolution: “Show me the exact spot on American soil where blood was shed”
Abraham Lincoln (Whig, Illinois)
Whigs fear the spread of slavery
Did Polk instigate War with Mexico?

13. The Mastery of Mexico Zachary Taylor
“Old Rough and Ready” in charge of Northern campaign.
Buena Vista: Feb 22-23, 1847
5,000 US troops withstood 20,000 Mexican troops and Taylor is dubbed the “Hero of Buena Vista”

14. Slavery and the Territory Issue
Abolitionists thought fighting in Mexico spread the “slavocracy”
Fight goes to Congress
Wilmot Proviso:
Bill which stated that slavery would not exist in the Mexican Cession territory. (David Wilmot, PA)
Passed the House twice but failed in Senate.
Many northern states adopted this on a state by state basis.
Polk’s Legacy:
left the nation with vast territory but ugly slavery dispute.

15. The Mastery of Mexico The War
Americans were 100% successful in the Southwest and California.
Captain John C. Fremont collaborated w/ navy and local Americans to capture California in rebellion from Mexico
Happened before word of American-Mexican War arrived.
California Bear Flag Republic

16. The Mastery of Mexico General Winfield Scott
In command of main American effort on Mexico City
Focus for Americans is right; they try to take Mexico’s heart
Most successful General from Revolution to Civil War
While Taylor was good with small forces he struggled to command large campaigns.

17. Fighting Mexico for Peace
Polk simply wants to meet his territorial goals = anxious for peace.
Sends Nickolas P. Trist to negotiate peace with Santa Anna and Mexico.
Trist and Scott negotiate armistice for $10,000
Santa Anna pockets the money and uses the time to bolster his troops and reorganize.
Polk calls for Trist to come home!

18. Fighting Mexico for Peace
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1848
TERMS:
Confirmed Americas title to Texas
Territory stretching west to Oregon (including CA) was US soil.
US pays $15 million plus it assumes American claims ($3 million)
Remember Polk was willing to pay $25 million before the war.
Needed to happen fast b/c there is a responsible government in place to carry out the treaty in Mexico

19. A President without a Party
Henry Clay tries to push through…
Got rid of Independent Treasury (Pro-bank)
New Bank of US (vetoed twice by Tyler=anti- bank)
Tariff (distributed money among states from sale of Western lands) vetoed.
Tariff of 1842:
No dollar distribution for western lands
lowered to 32% tariff of dutiable imports.
Signed by Tyler b/c there was need for revenue

20. A Mandate for Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny reveals itself in Election of 1844
Henry Clay (Whigs) vs. James K. Polk (Dem.)
Polk won his nomination and election on the expansionist ticket.
The Election of 1844 Issues
Tariff
Bank
Annexation of Texas
Oregon territory
California

21. Oregon Fever Populates Oregon
British Ties to Oregon
US ties to Oregon
Prior Discovery
Exploration
Treaty Rights
Occupation
Hudson Bay Company
Fur Traders
Exploration
Lewis and Clark
Robert Gray names Columbia River
Occupation
Missionaries to Indians

22. Oregon Fever Populates Oregon
Anglo-American Convention 1818
“Joint Occupation” is the compromise
Oregon Fever of 1840’s
Willamette River Valley’s fertile soil attracted Americans
British are more eager to reach compromise before they are completely overtaken.

23. Oregon Fever Populates Oregon
Settling Oregon Dispute
Northern Democrats wanted Oregon
(Southern Democrats had wanted annexation of Texas)
“Fifty-four Forty or Fight”
Polk offers the 49th parallel as a compromise to the British.
At first they want the Columbia River this changes in 1846.
After rejecting Polk’s offer at first the British then offer the 49th parallel themselves.
Senate agrees quickly.
Why all of Texas but only some of Oregon?
Britain is more powerful then Mexico