Manifest Destiny and Its Legacy 1841-1848

Chapter 18

Introduction

• Territorial expansion dominated politics and diplomacy in the 1840s

• Disputes over Oregon, Texas, California

• Acquisition of new territory revives the slavery issue

The Accession of “Tyler Too”

• William Henry Harrison (Whig) elected president in 1840

• Daniel Webster and Henry Clay hope to exert heavy political influence (Push Whig agenda)

• Harrison dies after 4 weeks in office (pneumonia)

The Accession of “Tyler Too”

• John Tyler takes over as pres.

• Democrat at hear that switched to the Whigs

• Disagrees with Whigs on many issues

John Tyler: A President Without a Party

• Whigs brought an end to the independent treasury

• Clay sought to establish a “Fiscal Bank” (basically another Bank of the U.S.)

• Vetoed by Tyler

• Whig Congress, not surprisingly, turns on Tyler

• Most of his cabinet resigns

• Tyler signed the Tariff of 1842 which was a protective Whig tariff.

A War of Words with Britain

• Hatred of British continues…

• Why?

• American Revolution, War of 1812

• British travelers sneer at American attitudes, manners, culture

• “Third War with England”

A War of Words with Britain

• America the borrower, Britain the lender

• 1837 – Rebellion in Canada

• Americans furnish supplies, support rebels, govt. urges neutrality

• Caroline

• 1841 – British offer asylum to slaves that captured American ship

Manipulating the Maine Maps

• British wanted to build a road Halifax to Quebec; construction went through disputed border territory

• “Aroostook War” ensues

• British send diplomat to work out compromise

• British able to build road; Americans keep much of the land in disputed region

9

Maine Boundary Settlement, 1842

The Lone Star of Texas Shines Alone

• Texas in limbo after gaining independence

• Mexico intent on re-taking

• Texans forced to maintain large military force

• 1839-40: Texas receives protection from…Britain and France???

• Both Britain and France viewed this as an opportunity to “contain” America

The Lone Star of Texas Shines Alone

• British abolitionist influence?

• British foothold in the cotton market?

• If cotton market established, British would no longer have to depend upon American cotton

The Belated Texas Nuptials

• Due to the threat of British influence, Texas emerged as an important issue during the 1844 presidential campaign

• James K. Polk (Democrat) defeats, who else, Henry Clay (Whig)

• Tyler takes this as a “mandate” to acquire Texas

The Belated Texas Nuptials

• Early 1845 – Texas formally invited to become the 28th state

• Mexico cries foul…

Oregon Fever Populates Oregon

• Four nations claimed Oregon Country at one time: Spain, Russia, Britain, and the United States. • Spain dropped out of America with the Florida Treaty of 1819 a

• Russia dropped out with the treaties of 1824 and 1825.

• Britain controlled the portion north of the Columbia River. By 1846, about 5,000 Americans settled south of the Columbia River. The British had a lesser population (around 700) but did not want to give up its claims to the Columbia River. The disputed territory in Oregon Country became an issue in the election of 1844.

A Mandate (?) for Manifest Destiny

• Van Buren’s opposition to immediate annexation hurts his candidacy; “darkhorse” Polk wins nomination and election

• Former Speaker of the House, governor of TN

• Election reflected American public commitment to “Manifest Destiny”

A Mandate (?) for Manifest Destiny

• Manifest Destiny – God had destined Americans to spread their influence over the entire continent…Or further…

• Democrats endorse this idea as part of their platform

• Election viewed as a mandate for annexation of Texas

• What was the 2008 election a “mandate” for according to Democrats?

Polk The Purposeful

• Polk not dynamic or impressive physically.

• Serious and worked very hard.

• Not brilliant, but was dogged, shrewd and well organized. Did not delegate much.

• Four-point program for his presidency

• Only one-term President to make the list of Top-10.

Polk’s Goals (All Accomplished)

Lowered tariff

Acquisition of California

Settlement of Oregon dispute

Restoration of the independent

treasury

19

The Oregon Controversy, 1846

Misunderstandings with Mexico

• The lure of California…

• Polk eager to buy California from Mexico

• Uneasy relations between U.S. and Mexico; Mexico owes U.S. money for damages to Americans, property

Misunderstandings with Mexico

• Dispute over Texas border

• Texans claim Rio Grande as S boundary

• Polk backs Texan claim

• Rumors circulate that British are trying to acquire CA

• John Slidell dispatched to negotiate purchase of CA

• Rejected

American Blood on American Soil

• Polk ready to force a showdown

• 13 January 1846 – 4,000 men under General Zachary Taylor march to disputed Rio Grande region (Hoping to provoke a Mexican military response)

• POLK IS DETERMINED TO GET CA – ONE WAY OR ANOTHER

• 25 April 1846 – Mexican troops cross Rio Grande and attack Taylor

• 16 Americans killed or wounded

American Blood on American Soil

• Congress declares war

• Polk puts the blame on Mexico for inciting war

• The reality…

• “Spot” Resolutions

The Mastering of Mexico

• The return of Santa Anna…

• Captain John C. Fremont (1846) and his men capture CA, establish the Bear Flag Republic

• Zachary Taylor captures Buena Vista

• Taylor elected president in 1848

The Mastering of Mexico

• American strategy focused on capturing capital, Mexico City

• General Winfield Scott put in charge of expedition

• September 1847 – Scott reaches Mexico City

• One of the most brilliant campaigns in American history

26

Major Campaigns of the Mexican War

Howard Zinn’s Take on the War…

Fighting Mexico for Peace

• Polk sends Nicholas Trist to negotiate terms

• Polk recalls Trist

• Trist ignores recall; signs the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on 2 February 1848

• Polk submits to Senate for approval

• For some not enough; for others too much

Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Terms

• American title to Texas confirmed with Rio Grande the border.

• Mexico yielded Arizona, New Mexico, California, Nevada to US. (with Texas, is about ½ of Mexico.) Land referred to as Mexican Cession.

• US to pay $15 million and assume claims of citizens there against Mexico worth about 3 million. (18.5 Mill compared to 25 Mill. prepared to pay for Cal. before the war.)

Profit and Loss in Mexico

• “Small” war

• 13,000 Americans lost (most to disease)

• Size of the country increased by 1/3

• Shot in arm for Manifest Destiny

Profit and Loss in Mexico

• “Blood-spattered schoolroom of the Civil War”

• Souring of U.S. / Latin American relations

• REVIVAL OF THE SLAVERY ISSUE

• Wilmot Proviso