Manifest Destiny and Its Legacy 1841-1848

Chapter 17

John Tyler• William Henry Harrison (Whig) won election of 1841

– Daniel Webster and Henry Clay were the real leaders of Whigs but Harrison died

• John Tyler “His Accidency” becomes President, – many Whigs did not trust him– Was put on ballot to attract southern states’ rights

supporters, not to rule• Opposed nationalistic programs, but joined Whigs

because he did not like Andrew Jackson’s tactics– Tyler’s politics opposed Webster/Clay

• Whig platform– Financial Reform, Tariff, – Tyler vetoed Clay’s bill for a “Fiscal Bank” (a new Bank

of US)• Tyler kicked out of Whig Party and his cabinet

resigned in protest (except for Webster)• House also tried to impeach Tyler

– Tyler vetoed tariff that would have given states revenue from sale of federal land in west

• “Log Cabin” Bill allowed settlers to claim 160 acres of federal land before it was offered for sale

War of Words With Britain• Rise of Jacksonian-Democrats reduced sympathetic feelings towards Britain

– British press criticized America for slavery, uncivilized, base behavior• America had to borrow money and Britain was lending it

– Panic of 1837 led to default of many American loans, causing Anglo-American tensions

• Canadian Rebellion 1837– Americans supported it, but it failed– Caroline (American steamship) attempted to bring supplies to Canada, but was

attacked and sank by British in Niagara River• McLeod (British Canadian) was arrested for murder (in 1840), British

threaten war if this happened• Creole

– Britain offer asylum to slaves who revolted on slave ship

– Created anger in South against Britain• Aroostook War

– British and American militias fought over disputed border between Maine and Canada

– Webster-Ashburton Treaty• Established boundary.• Allowed Britain to build Halifax-Quebec Road• Gave US territory in Minnesota

Annexation of Texas

• Mexicans never recognized independence of Texas– Texas turned to France, Holland, Belgium and

Britain for help• Saw as opportunity to limit American

political and economic growth• Britain could gain alternative to southern

cotton• European powers could use Texas as way

to challenge Monroe Doctrine and create diversions for America

• Polk defeats Clay in 1844 election, so Tyler annexes Texas

Oregon Territory

• Both Britain and America claimed Oregon– Britain claimed based on exploration and

colonization by Hudson Bay Company– America claimed based on exploration of

Captain Robert Gray and the Lewis and Clark Expedition

• Both sides wanted control of Columbia River, so allowed joint occupation

• Oregon Trail in 1840s significantly increased number of Americans in region

Election of 1844• James Polk (D) defeated Henry Clay (Whig)

– Dark horse candidate (not nationally known)• Was supported by Andrew Jackson• Former Speaker of House and governor of TN

– Both sides tried to taint opponent with slavery• Manifest Destiny

– Belief it is God’s will to spread America and democracy across continent

– Supported annexation Texas and Oregon (Fifty Four Forty or Fight)

• Would extend US to Pacific• Walker Tariff 1846

– Lowered tariff rates which encouraged trade and generated a lot of money for US

• Polk also restored independent Treasury• After initial resistance Britain agreed to 49th parallel as

border of Canada/Oregon– Avoided war with Britain at same time US was fighting

Mexico

Cause of Mexican American War:•Mexico never recognized Texan independence

•US said Mexico owed $3 million from Mexican Revolution

•Mexico also rejected American offers by John Slidell to buy California

•Dispute over border between Texas and Mexico

US said border was at Rio Grande

Mexico said border was at Nueces River

Mexican – American War• January 13, 1846 US sent army led by Zachary Taylor

to Rio Grande to provoke Mexico– Mexicans attack the US army on April 25, 1846

• Polk used attack on “American” soil to justify declaration of war– “Spot Resolution” Abraham Lincoln (Whig)

demanded to know exactly where in America Mexico attacked.

– Lincoln and Whigs opposed war as an attempt to expand slavery

• Polk was motivated to war as means to get California from Mexico and prevent British access to California

• South and west support war, northeast opposed it

• Whigs oppose war– Opposition ends Whigs as a political party

Bear Flag Revolt

• John Fremont led a rebellion of Americans in California against Mexico in 1846

• By 1847, United States controlled California

End of War

• General Zachary Taylor “Old Rough and Ready” invaded Mexico from Texas won many battles including Buena Vista

• General Winfield Scott – invade Veracruz and pushed to Mexico City

• Mexico City falls in September 1847

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1848 • Mexico recognize Rio Grande as southern border of Texas• Mexico recognize Texas as part of United States• Mexican Cession

– Mexico gave US all land from Texas to Pacific• US give Mexico $15 million

• Opposition came from “Mexican” or “Conscience” Whigs who did not want to expand slavery

• Opposition also came from expansionists who wanted all of Mexico

• Treaty was pushed through Congress and ratified

Effects of Mexican War

• Expanded America by 1/3• Encouraged Manifest Destiny• Provided military training for future Civil War leaders

– US Military Academy (West Point) and Naval forces proved their value; Naval Academy created in 1846

– Marines were successful• Proved to European nations America’s ability to

overcome logistic and tactical difficulties fighting• Changed Latin American attitude towards US

– US now seen as a threat and a bully• Increased tensions over slavery

– Wilmot Proviso – attempted to ban slavery in all new territory

Californios• Mexican residents of California (Califonios)

– were descendants of Spanish and Mexican settlers and conquistadores– Established missions along coast– Following Mexican Revolt, more Mexicans arrived and ranchers took power from

missions

• Following Mexican American War and Gold Rush, Californios fell to only 15% of population by 1850– Lost political power– Lost rights to land – Suffered from laws that favored miners instead of ranchers

Gadsen Purchase 1853

• US purchased southern New Mexico and Arizona from Mexico

• Purchased for land for railroads• Ends continental US expansion