1. Manifest Destiny and Its Legacy
AP U.S. History
Chapter 17

2. Sam Houston – “Americans regard this continent as their birthright.”
Indians/Mexicans – make room for our “mighty march”
In less than 1,000 days:
U.S. increased land by 50%
# of immigrants (1840s – 1850s) exceeded the nation’s entire population in 1790

3. Immigration/Territorial Expansion were linked
Immigrants were Democrats – voted Democrat in 1844 election (Polk)
Anti-immigrant feelings???
Solution for class/ethnic conflict??
Also – best solution for reducing conflict between sections
Oregon
Texas

4. The Whig Ascendancy Talk of impeachment!
1840 Election: Harrison (Whig). Whigs also majorities in both houses of Congress
Harrison died - John Tyler president
Whig program – American System – Bank, “Revenue” tariff, $ from tariff to states
Tyler - Jacksonian in philosophy
Hated "American System" – vetoes everything (including bill for creation of a 3rd national bank)
Vetoed more bills than any single-term president in U.S. history.
Talk of impeachment!

5. A War of Words with Britain
Caroline incident - U.S ship set on fire, sunk by British; one American dead
Creole incident - British in Bahamas offered asylum to 130 Virginia slaves who had rebelled, captured the U.S. ship Creole - Southerners wanted compensation

6. Maine boundary dispute
Webster-Ashburton Treaty (1842) Webster-Ashburton Treaty with Great Britain that settled the boundary between Maine and New Brunswick.
Significance: improved U.S.-British relations

7. The Lone Star of Texas Shines Alone
Republic of Texas lasted 9 years
Mexico - refused to recognize Texas independence since 1836
Threatened war if U.S. should try annexation
Britain interested…
Texas - leading issue in 1844 campaign (Polk v. Clay)

8. The Belated Texas Nuptials
Democrat Southerners supported annexation -slave states (could be divided into 5 states). Northern Whigs opposed it - another slave state would disrupt the power. Also worried about slavery extending into Mexico, Cuba, etc. Both sides - annexation would lead to war with Mexico.
Tyler got joint resolution in Congress for annexation (required only majority)
Mexico claimed U.S. had unjustly taken Texas; refused to recognize annexation

9. The Election of 1844 Democrats – James K. Polk Whigs – Henry Clay
Polk – annex TX and Oregon
Clay sent conflicting messages on TX issue, lost support to third (Liberty) party
Polk wins
Immigrants played huge part in election, voted Democrat

10. Manifest Destiny
Obvious or undeniable fate – God’s will - America was destined to expand across North America – from sea to sea. The people believed no other nation should keep the U.S. from fulfilling its destiny.

11. John L. O’Sullivan See California as gateway to Asia
Guarantees land for farmers – alternative to factories or we will be like Britain – “bloated wealth” and in “terrible misery”

12. Factors that helped Manifest Destiny:
1. Pressures of migration/settlement
2. New outlets for trade (California and Oregon)
3. Technology, communication, and transportation
4. Politics – Democrats (Southerners) were in favor of expansion

13. Oregon Fever Populates Oregon
Spain, Russia, Britain, & U.S.
Spain - Florida Purchase Treaty, 1819
Russia retreated to 54-40’ line due to treaties with U.S. & Britain

14. American migration into Oregon region (south of Columbia River)
Oregon Trail - 2,000 mile trail; average of 17 deaths per mile for pioneers
Trail began at Independence, Missouri or Council Bluffs, Iowa
By 1846, 5,000 U.S. settlers lived south of Columbia River; British had only 700 people living north of river

15. British concerned about large U.S. migration into the region
Disputed area between Columbia River (British wanted it for access to Pacific Ocean) and 49th parallel
Polk Campaign – “54 40’ or Fight!”
Now President – Britain has to negotiate or go to war over territory…
Oregon Treaty: U.S. received Oregon territory south of 49th parallel

16. Origins of the Mexican War
Mexico owed $2 million in debts to American citizens
Alamo/Goliad memories
TEXAS
Mexico – viewed U.S. in awe/aversion

17. Cause #1 - Texas TX annexed in 1845
Polk – supported Rio Grande as border (greatly increased TX territory, not the TX that gained independence from Mexico!)
Jan. 1846, Polk ordered Gen. Zachary Taylor to march just across Nueces

18. Cause #2 - California Mexico refused Polk wanted CA for its harbors
Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico
City in late 1845 to buy California for $25 million
Mexico refused

19. American Blood on American (?) Soil
Polk ordered Taylor to move further South…
April, Mexican troops crossed Rio Grande and attacked Taylor; 16 casualties.
“American blood has been shed on American soil!”
Polk sent war message to Congress, asks for $10 million to fight war

20. “Mr. Polk’s War”
Polk wanted California. Mexico would not give it to him under any conditions. The only way to get it was to provoke war or wait for an internal revolt. He provoked the war by sending Taylor to the Rio Grande.

21. The Mastering of Mexico
3-pronged attack
California - Capt. John C. Fremont - Bear Flag Revolt
Gen. Stephen W. Kearny - Santa Fe
Gen. Zachary Taylor victorious at Monterey and Buena Vista
Gen. Winfield Scott captured Mexico City -Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant

22. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Feb.2, 1848
Provisions:
U.S. gained CA, and modern-day NM, AZ, UT and NV
U.S. to pay $15 million and assumed claims of U.S. citizens against Mexico of $3,250,000
Mexico gave up its claim to Texas, recognized the Rio Grande as southern border.
Gadsden Purchase (1853) – Mexico sold southern New Mexico and Arizona to the U.S. for $10 million.

24. Results of Mexican War
Slavery or not in new territories?
Wilmot Proviso, David Wilmot - Slavery should
never exist in any of
territory gained from Mexico
Twice passed House but not Senate
- Showed the growing gap between the North and the South.

25. U.S. territory increased by 1/3
Sentiment for Manifest Destiny increased
ALLOWED FOR A LARGE WAVE OF MIGRATION WEST

26. Polk’s Domestic Policies
Restored Independent Treasury (dropped by Whigs who wanted the Bank)
Tariff of 1846 – slashed tariffs to minimum necessary for revenue (25%)
Made a lot of $$ b/c of heavy imports…
Vetoed Internal Improvement bills

27. Questions
1. Analyze several factors that led to American expansion in the 1840’s.
2. To what extent did American expansionists achieve their goals between 1840 and 1848?