Manifest Destiny and Its Legacy

AP U.S. History

Chapter 17

• 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

• 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

The Whig Ascendancy• 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!

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

• 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

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)

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.

• 1845 - Tyler got joint resolution in Congress for annexation (required only majority)

• Mexico claimed U.S. had unjustly taken Texas; refused to recognize annexation

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 170-105• Immigrants played huge part in election, voted Democrat

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.

• 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”

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

Oregon Fever Populates Oregon

• Spain, Russia, Britain, & U.S.

• Spain - Florida Purchase Treaty, 1819

• Russia retreated to 54-40’ line due to 1824-25 treaties with U.S. & Britain

• 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

• 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

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

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

Cause #2 - California• Polk wanted CA for its harbors

• Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico

City in late 1845 to buy California for $25 million

–Mexico refused

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

“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.

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

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.

Results of Mexican War

• Slavery or not in new territories?

• Wilmot Proviso, 1848 - 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.

• U.S. territory increased by 1/3

• Sentiment for Manifest Destiny increased

• ALLOWED FOR A LARGE WAVE OF MIGRATION WEST

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

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?