Chapter 17 Manifest Destiny and its Legacy

(1841-1848)

Questions2. What proof can you give of John Tyler’s unpopularity? What did Tyler do that made the Whigs so angry with him?3. Explain at least four causes of tension between the US and Great Britain in the 1830’s and 18040’s.6. Why did some hesitate to annex Texas? Why was it finally admitted to the Union? 8. What part did Manifest Destiny play in the 1844 election?11. Explain some of the reasons Congress declared war on Mexico.14. What positive and negative outcomes resulted from Mexican-American War?

John Tyler “Tyler Too” (2)● 10th president (Fourth Virginian president)● Became President after Hamilton died after 4 weeks in office● opposed nationalism and supported states' rights ● sought to strengthen and preserve the U.S. through territorial

expansion● Whig Party

o pro-bank, pro–protective tariff, nationalismo Henry Clay manipulated the candidates in order to pass Whig

legislature● was not well received by the Democratic-Republicans at first

because of his refusal to establish a centralized bank (contrary to his own whig party)

● Tyler’s dislike of his own party’s ideals and his refusal to pass a lot of their decisions, made many people resent him and question whether he was right for officeo he was expelled from the Whig partyo given the nickname “His Accidency” (13)

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Tension Between Great Britain and the US (3)

● By 1842, the United States still harbored a strong hatred towards Britaino Main Reasons

Bitter memories from two Anglo-American Wars ● (American Revolution & the War of 1812)

Federalist British sympathizers had all disappeared British travelers spoke bad of American customs

● Both countries engaged in a battle of “words”o British travel guides wrote very negative things about the

slave trade, lynching . etc. about the US in nationally read travel guides

o America in retaliation did not have a copyright law, which denied foreign authors royalties

● Canadian Insurrection o Canadian insurgents began to rebel against Britain, and

America began to furnish them with supplieso The Caroline (US) was carrying supplies when British

forces set it on fire

Caroline- Creole-

Maine

● A great controversy arose in the early 1840s surrounding the Maine boundaries

● As the British remembered from the War of 1812, the St Lawrence River turns into ice and they wanted to build a road from Halifax to Quebec as a safety precaution against the Americans

● The road ran through disputed territory claimed by Maine where Canadian and American lumberjacks went in order to make use of the tall-timbered Aroostook River

● Due to the arising conflicts a rivalry arose which later turned into a small scale lumberjack war which was called the Aroostook War

● In order to avert escalating the already heated situation, England sent the conciliatory financier Lord Ashburton

● He and Daniel Webster, the secretary of state, negotiated and gave the Americans 7,000mi of the 12,000mi of the disputed land

● The British received less of the land but got the Halifax-Quebec road

● Funnily enough, the British surrendered 6,500 square miles while adjusting the US-Canadian border which was where the priceless Mesabi iron ore of MN was

The Annexation of Texas (6)The Lone Star of Texas Shines Alone

Texas was in a very uncertain situation with Mexico ● Texas was considered a revolting province by Mexico who

refused to give it it’s own independence ● America ran the risk of war if it protected Texas although there

were many benefits for annexing TexasIn order to protect themselves, Texas made treaties with France, Holland, and Belgium

● Britain especially wanted relations with Texas because Britain would have the upper hand

● Britain would be able to challenge the Monroe Doctrine● Britain abolitionists could lead the southern states into upheaval ● They could take advantage of Texas’s surplus of resources

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The Annexation of Texas (6)The Belated Texas Nuptials

● In the presidential campaign of 1844, Texas was a leading issue

● The Democrats were pro-expansion and wanted to annex Texas.

● In 1845, President Tyler signed a resolution that invited Texas to become the 28th state

● Many “conscience whigs” believed that Texas would help the slave power’s so Tyler arranged for a joint resolution vote in order to approve the annexation

● Mexico was angry that America was forcefully stealing Texas, although they did not have any claim on Texas anymore

● By 1845, Texas was a very dangerous place to be, it menaced America and it threatened to involve America in a series of wars both in America and in Europe.

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Manifest Destiny (8)● The campaign of 1844 was part of an emotional upsurge known as

the Manifest Destiny. ○ Many citizens in the 1840’s and 50’s believed that God had

“manifestly” destined the American people to conquer the American continent.

○ These citizens would spread their democratic institutions over at least the entire continent, and possibly over South America as well.

● Expansionist Democrats were strongly swayed by the Manifest Destiny.

○ Many proclaimed for the “Reannexation of Texas” and “Reoccupation of Oregon”.

○ Out bellowed Whigs in slogans such as “All of Oregon or none” and Accused Henry Clay of being a corrupt barganier and a slaveowner.

Oregon Country● Everyone wanted the Oregon Country territory

o Spain, Russia, Britain and US all claimed Oregon Country● Spain dropped out with the Florida Treaty of 1819 (Adams-Onis

Treaty)● Russia dropped out with the treaties of 1824 and 1825 (375)● Left England and the US to fight for it

o English inhabited the north of the Columbia river, with the Hudson’s Bay Co. also being established there

o The US inhabited the south of the Columbia river where missionaries and other settlers made their home (helped to gain interest and maintain place for the US)

● English and Americans lived peacefully but before long an influx of Americans with “Oregon fever” began to arrive south of the Columbia river (around 5,000)

● English realized that the best course of action in the midst of the population imbalance was to make a peaceful treaty with the US (376)

The Mexican War (1846 to 1848)● The Mexican War was fought mainly because the United

States wanted California, and after offering $25 million, Mexico didn’t take the deal.

● James Polk, president at the time, was made aware that the British wanted California, so he was in a rush to seize California before the British were able to, whether he bought it or forced it out of Mexico’s hands.

● Both sides were itching for a fight, and both wanted to prove how much better they were than the other. The war was quick fought; all America wanted was Califonia.

● Mexico ended up with half the land it had in the first place, but were “grateful” for not losing all of their land to America.

● James Polk ended up still paying $18,250,000 for the land taken.

James K. Polk● Served as the United States 11th president, and was the last of the

Jacksonians to be President. ● Known as the “dark horse” because no one expected him to

become president over the Whig Henry Clay. ● Unlike prior presidents, Polk focused on foreign policies

(westward expansion and foreign trade)● Goals as President

o To lower the infamous Tariff of 1842; this made the colonists happy and increased revenue

o Restoration of the national treasury (was not accepted by the Whigs who were pro-national bank)

o Acquisition of Californiao Settlement of Oregon dispute

● When in war with Mexico, all he wanted was California, and was only willing to go to war in order to capture the land. Once seized he pulled out of the Mexican War.