Manifest Destiny and Sectional Divide

Chapter 13What factors led to the emergence of

Manifest Destiny in the 1840’s, and how would Manifest Destiny contribute to the

sectional debate?

1840s = Territorial Expansion

• Manifest Destiny – belief that America was destined to expand from coast to coast, occupying entire continent

• 4 points of territorial interestMaine Oregon CountryTexas California

“Tippecanoe and Tyler, Too!”

• 1840 Presidential election – ascension of the Whig party under William Henry Harrison John Tyler – VPDaniel Webster – secretary of StateHenry Clay (head of the Whig party) – spokesman of

Senate• Harrison dies 4 weeks into office• Tyler (former Jacksonian democrat) assumed

Presidency – known as a “Democrat in Whig’s clothing” Opposed Whig platform of being pro-bank, protective tariff, and

internal improvements

Tyler-a President without a Party

• Whigs revealed nationalistic party platform after election victory (engineered by Clay)

• Passed bill ending independent treasury of Van Buren’s 1840 bill hoping to create new BUSBUS vetoed by Tyler!!!– Whig Party Members ?!?!

• Entire cabinet resigned except for Webster• Tyler vetoed initial bill for protective tariff, but

passed bill with lower rate realizing politics of situation

War of Words with Britain

• Deep rooted resentment caused by 2 Anglo-American Wars, death of Federalist Party, ascension to Jacksonian Democrats

• Panic of 1837 signaled economic paralysis to relationship as Britain creditors forced to collect from Yankee borrowers

• Problem w/ Canada - insurrection led to American support for Canadians Caroline Incident – American ship supplying insurrection

attacked by British ship Creole ship overtaken by Virginian slaves and promised freedom

in British Caribbean (British previously abolished slavery)

Maine

• Aroostook War (1840’s) – lumberjacks from both Maine and Canada claimed section of land situated upon St. Lawrence River

• Ashburton-Webster Treaty – split difference on Maine’s territory and permanently fixed Maine’s boundaryBritish secured Halifax-Quebec roadU.S. gained territory in Minnesota – Mesabi mountain

range provided iron ore

Texas

• Texas remained an independent republic since 1836 until 1845Mexico threatened war if Texas became a

stateTexas secured treaties with France, Holland,

and Belgium as protective allianceFrance and England especially interested for

political advantage – foothold for abolitionism, tariff free trade, and cotton supplier

Texas and the Presidential Election of 1844

• Texas became leading issue• Pro-expansionist and Democratic candidate

James Polk elected to office with “mandate to acquire Texas” over Whig Clay

• “Conscience Whigs” – feared the annexation of Texas to perpetuate growth of slavery “Lame duck” president Tyler annexed Texas in last

days via joint resolution – bypassed treaty

“Oregon Fever”

• Oregon Country – extended from Northern California to Alaska border - 54°40’ line

• Oregon Territory – jointly occupied by England and US (Oregon Treaty of 1818)

• Oregon Fever (1840’s) – American pioneers traveled Oregon trail and settled the frontier lands

• Question of the future and border to be decided by 1844 election

Mandate for Manifest Destiny

• James Polk (“The Expansionist”) – first “dark horse” candidate elected in presidential campaign

• Election of 1844 centered upon Manifest destiny and expansionism – spread of democracy and empireLiberty Party* funneled much needed votes away

from Clay, ensuring Polk victory

• Democrats interpreted victory as mandate from the people to expand and realize manifest destiny

Polk Administration

• Polk’s objectives: Tariff: Walker Tariff of 1846 – lowered tariff and boosted revenue Independent Treasury: restored in 1846 against Whig opposition California and Oregon Territory

• Oregon border fixed at 49th parallel thru 1846 Treaty despite democratic yell for “54°40’ or fight”

• California – Polk eager to buy from Mexico, but diplomatic relation severed with annexation of Texas Border dispute – Nueces or Rio Grande? Rejection of John Slidell and offer to buy CA for $25 mil

War with Mexico

• Polk ordered US troops to march to Rio Grande River under command of General Zachary Taylor to meet eminent Mexican threat

• American casualties led to Polk asking for declaration of war Issue – American or Mexican soil?Whig Congressman Abraham Lincoln’s “spot

resolutions” – called for exact spot of hostilities to determine justification for war

• War seen as necessary to carry out mandate and to secure future of California

Mexican-American War (1846-1848)

• Return of Santa Anna to power – double crossed Polk and promised to sell CA

• Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott provided victorious American campaign in Mexico

• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) – penned by Nicholas Trist, concluded warTexas recognized as American stateTerritory from Texas to Oregon territory ceded to US

– including CA (Mexican Cession) – larger than LA Purchase

US to pay $15 mil

Impact of War

• Sharp increase in pursuit of Manifest Destiny• Fighting provided experience for Civil War• Justification for the armed forces• War provided additional fuel to slavery and

sectional debateDefeat of Wilmot Proviso- called for banning slavery

from Mexican CessionMexican War and desire for land foreshadowed Civil

War

Sectional Struggle (1848-1854)

What events led to revival of sectionalism in American politics in the 1850’s?

**Popular Sovereignty

• Slavery presented a threat that would lead to purely sectional political parties and certain civil war

• For 1848 election, Democrats nominated War of 1812 hero General Lewis Cass (Polk refused 2nd term due to “chronic diarrhea”)

• Although Democrats sought to remain silent on slavery issue, Cass adopted belief of Popular Sovereignty- the independent people of a given territory have the democratic right to chose status of state as either free or slave Theory of Popular Sovereignty- appealed to people and

politicians alike, tossed slavery issue into their hands and out of politician’s realm; But- possibility for extension of slavery was fundamental flaw of theory

The Whigs and Zachary Taylor

• War hero Zachary Taylor nominated by Whigs who also avoided slavery issue (Taylor himself wealthy plantation owner and slave owner)

• Anti-slaveryites organized Free Soil political party to address slavery questionHeavy support from “conscience Whigs”Nominated ex-President Martin Van Buren

• Taylor won election of 1848

California Gold Rush

• 1848-49 marched in the gold rush in Northern CA (San Francisco 49ers- NFL)

• Lawlessness accompanied pioneers into CA

• 1849 CA Constitution- excluded slavery and sought admission to the union

Sectionalism: Southern Perspective

• The Southern advantage: Boasted of Presidential administrations, from GW to Taylor Held majority in Cabinet and Supreme Court (CJ Roger Taney) Equal Representation in Senate King Cotton reaching climax

• The Southern Disadvantage: Admission of CA destroy sectional balance Mexican Cession being shaped by non-slave owning voices Abolition seemed eminent in D.C. Loss of Runaway slaves – Harriet Tubman and the underground

RR Demand for stricter fugitive slave law

Senatorial Leadership: Clay, Calhoun, and Webster

• Admission of CA encouraged “fire eaters” to threaten secession

• Clay (KY)- proposed N to compromise on CA admission and to grant fugitive slave law in order to preserve union

• Calhoun (SC)- advocated a laissez-faire approach to slavery, stricter fugitive slave law, and restore sectional balance

• Webster (MA)- urged stricter fugitive slave law with teeth and the preservation of union 7th of March Speech- appealed to N to make

compromise and union possible

Congressional Debate of 1850

• Young Guard Congressmen- unionism not first priorityWilliam Seward (NY)- strong anti-slaveryite and non-

concessionist; adhered to principle of “higher law”- God’s law superseded Constitution

• President Taylor vowed to veto any Compromise- threatened union

• Death of President Taylor and succession of Millar Fillmore to office made Compromise possible

• Compromise ushered in 2nd “Era of Good Feelings”- peace before the storm

**Compromise of 1850• Henry Clay- Once again, the “Great Compromiser”• CA admitted as free state- permanently tipped sectional balance in

favor of the North• Popular Sovereignty- opened to territories of New Mexico and Utah• Texas paid $10 mil for disputed territory• Slave trade prohibited in D.C.• South received Fugitive Slave Law of 1850- “Bloodhound Bill”

North responded by passing “personal liberty laws”- denied jails and federal officials ability to enforce terms of fugitive slave law

1850’s strengthened union and abolitionist causes• Compromise clearly benefited North- provided moral and political

cause to win Civil War

Election of 1852

• Whigs nominated 2nd “dark horse” candidate in American history, Franklin Pierce (NH)

• Suffered painful groin injury during M-A War- OUCH!!!!!• Considered to be a pro-Southern Northerner• Fully endorsed Compromise of 1850 and future territorial

expansion• Whigs nominated war hero General Winfield Scott

Nomination of Scott permanently split Whig Party over Slavery issue

Democrats able to “Polk them in ’44, and Pierce them in ’52”, as Southern Whigs refused to support Scott and voted for Webster

Impact of the 1852 Election

• Whig party split and near death• End of national political parties and beginning of

purely sectional parties• Whig Legacy:

Secured Presidency in ’40 and ’48Preserved National unity and unionism due largely to

the efforts of Clay and Webster (both died during ’52 election)- Exs?

Fugitive slave law proved to be decisive factor in killing Whig unity

Expansionism South of the Border?

• Central America- site of potential for future control of Atlantic-Pacific trade routes

• Treaty b/w U.S. and New Grenada (Columbia) signed in 1848, guaranteed American transit across isthmus in return for protecting sovereignty of route and neutrality Treaty provided backbone for TR to acquire land for construction

of canal• Clayton-Bulwer Treaty (1850)- stipulated that neither

U.S. or England could fortify or seek exclusive control over future trans-isthmian waterway

• William Walker- American adventurer who attempted to seize control of Nicaragua with aid of South; hoped to spread slavery

Cuba

• Polk’s offer to buy island from Spain for $100 mil refused

• “Filibustering Expeditions”- southern attempts to seize island by force, but failed

• Ostend Manifesto (1854)- Pierce proposed plan to secretly but Cuba for $120 mil, but justified war if offer refusedPlan leaked and Northern Free Soilers quick to

publicize plan and crush and hopes of annexing Cuba

The Far East

• Treaty of Wanghia (1844)- first treaty b/w U.S. and ChinaNegotiated under Tyler’s administration by Caleb

CushingSecured “Most favored nation” status as well as

“extraterritoriality” for American citizensTreaty opened up trading and missionary

opportunities

• 1852- President Millard Fillmore sent Commodore Matthew Perry to forcibly open up Japan to trading

The RR and the Gadsden Purchase

• Transportation in Mexican Cession emerged as problem following M-A War

• Trans-continental RR solution to problem (not proposed camels) RR construction sure to set off sectional debate- who would

build it, and where would it terminate- N or S?

• Gadsden Purchase (1853): James Gadsden negotiated purchase with Santa Anna for small

section of land necessary for RR construction for $10 mil Purchase secured fate of RR to run through south- Texas

already a state and New Mexico being organized for admission Northerner’s responded with please to organize Nebraska

territory for admission and RR construction

The Gadsden Purchase

Douglas and the Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)

• Senator Stephen Douglass (Illinois)- known as the “Little Giant”

• Determined to organize Nebraska territory to realize construction of RR that would terminate in home city of Chicago

• Proposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act: Nebraska Territory to be divided into 2 territories Status of slavery to be determined via popular sovereignty Anticipated Kansas to become slave, and Nebraska to become

free Act required repeal of Missouri Compromise and 36°30’ line

Impact

• President Pierce fully endorsed Act (seemed to benefit S) but strongly opposed by Free Soilers

• Douglass indifferent to slavery, yet act had potential to severe union

• Act passed by Congress and ushered in period of sectional intensity and bloodshed Required repeal of Missouri Compromise and Compromise of

1850 Act would lead to demise and split within Democratic Party Act would lead to emergence of Republican Party- represented

disgruntled Whigs, Democrats, Free- Soilers, Know-Nothings, and opponenents of k-N Act; although emerged as purely sectional party, contributed to legacy of 2 Party System

Civil War eminent

How did the events of the late 1850’s make civil war a reality?

Uncle Tom’s Cabin

• Uncle Tom’s Cabin published in 1852 Inspired by Fugitive Slave Law, 2nd Great Awakening, and

personal loss of child Novel extremely popular, and evolved into political tool “So you’re the little woman who wrote the book that made this

great war”- Abraham Lincoln, 1862 Novel made international impact in drawing attention to evils of

slavery

• Hinton Helper’s The Impending Crisis of the South- non-aristocrat from N.C. that argued that slavery was hurtful to non-slave owning whites

• Both books banned and even burned in South

Kansas

• Both pro and anti-slavery groups moving into Kansas territory to participate in popular sovereignty

• 1855 election for legislative representatives resulted in pro-slavery “border ruffians” from Missouri pouring into Kansas to vote several times overShawnee Mission- puppet govt established by pro-

slaveryitesTopeka- govt established by free soilers

• Tensions resulted in bloodshed at Lawrence- free soil town destroyed by pro-slaveryites

“Bleeding Kansas”

• John Brown- abolitionist from Ohio who moved into Kansas; sought revenge for recent attack at Lawrence Led band of followers to Pottawatomie Creek in 1856, where

they mutilated 5 pro-slaveryites Resulted in Civil War within Kansas (1856-65)

• 1857- Kansas ready to apply for statehood Pro slaveryites devised Lecompton Constitution- people to vote

on Constitution wither with, or without slavery Existing slavery allowed to continue, regardless of outcome

• 1856 Presidential Election- Democrat James Buchanan won Supported Lecompton Constitution, whereas Stephen Douglass

opposed due to violation of popular sovereignty Rift b/w Buchanan and Douglass permanently split Democratic

party b/w Northern and Southern Democrats-

Kansas Territory

Sumner and “Southern Chivalry” 1856

• Senator Charles Sumner from MA beaten with cane by Senator Preston Brooks from SC in 1856 over Kansas issue Brooks resigned, but was

re-elected and presented with golden cane

Sumner sought medical attention in Europe for damage to nervous system

1856 Election

• Democrats nominated James Buchanan- enemy less, but was a bachelor and did have an “eye defect”

• Republican Party burst onto scene by nominated explorer/adventurer John Fremont (enemy less) rather than “higher law” Seward

• Know-Nothing Party nominated ex-President Millard Fillmore in wake of Irish-German immigration and growth of Nativism

• Although Buchanan won election, 2 important results: Republicans made strong showing Civil War avoided for 4 more years- need for stronger President

(Lincoln would fill shoes)

1856 Election Map

Dred Scott

• Dred Scott vs. Sanford (1857)• Dred Scott sued owner for freedom after

spending years in Northern free soil territory• Chief Justice Roger Taney (MD) ruled in favor of

Sanford Declared slaves to be property, not citizens, therefore without

political right to appear in court Decision in effect declared Missouri Compromise

unconstitutional- property allowed anywhere in U.S., therefore Congress had no authority to legislate on slavery

Stephen Douglass upset that ruling contradicted democratic principle of popular sovereignty

Republican party cemented with objective of preventing slavery from spreading into west

Panic of 1857

Causes:• CA gold = inflation• Grain overproduction• Over speculation• RR construction

Impact:• North hit hardest• South remained

untouched due to “king cotton”

• Farmers demanded 160 acres of free land (Homestead Act of 1860)

• Treasury surplus led to reduced tariff

• Farmer and industrial support for Republican Party

Lincoln Douglas Debates (1858)

• Lincoln challenges Douglas to series of debates for 1858 Illinois senatorial seat to increase Republican visibilityFreeport Doctrine- most famous debate where Lincoln

prompted Douglas to discuss popular sovereignty vs. Dred Scott decision: which prevails?

Douglas responded that popular sovereignty should always prevail- further split Democratic party

Douglas won seat, but secured Lincoln’s nomination for 1860 presidential election

John Brown at Harper’s Ferry, VA (1859)

• Objective: seize federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, VA and incite massive slave uprising to create slave sanctuaryPlan failed miserably and John Brown capturedConvicted for treason and murder, and subsequently

hanged

• Martyrdom: the aftermath of John BrownExecution of John Brown cemented conviction of free

soilers and abolitionists to stop spread of slavery; abolitionist movement took on moral cause as well

Democratic Split

• 1860 Democratic Presidential nomination convention split b/w N & S

• Democrats nominated 2 presidential candidates securing Republican victoryNorthern Democrats nominated DouglasSouthern Democrats nominated John Breckinridge

• Constitutional Union Party- nominated John Bell- sought to preserve union and constitution

1860 Presidential Election

• Republican candidate able to establish platform that appealed to all non-southern groups: Non-extension of slavery for free soilers Protective tariff for NE manufacturers Pacific RR for NW Internal improvements Free homesteads for farmers

• Election results: Lincoln won despite being minority President (40% of popular

vote, absent from polls tickets in 10 S states) Although Lincoln won, S still held political advantage in Supreme

Court and Congress Was there a need for secession?

1860 Electoral College

The South and Secession

• The symbolism of Lincoln’s win: no possibility for compromise or co-existenceSouth’s goal: create independent nation where

slavery could exist peacefully?!?!• Following election of Lincoln, SC led charge

seceding from union, followed by 6 other states (11 in total)

• Southern states created Confederate States of America, named Jefferson Davis as President, and based the capital out of Richmond, VA

• Buchanan and Lincoln powerless during “lame duck period”**- pursued “wait and see” policy

Compromise and Disunion

• Crittenden Compromise/Amendments- designed to appease South by prohibiting slavery north of the 36°30’ line, but fed govt to preserve and protect slavery south of line, even with further acquisitions (Cuba??) Future states would use popular sovereignty to decide Compromise flatly rejected by free soiler Lincoln

• Reasons for Southern Secession: Political balance tipped against them (majority free states) Triumph of Republican party was threat to future of slavery Wanted to separate themselves from Northern Abolitionism Did not anticipate war due to importance of cotton Viewed themselves as culturally distinct from North Justified by principles of Declaration