Trends in Antebellum America: 1810-1860Trends in Antebellum America: 1810-1860

1.New intellectual and religious movements.

2.Social reforms.

3.Beginnings of the Industrial Revolution in America.

4.Re-emergence of a second party system and morepolitical democratization.

5.Increase in federal power Marshall Ct. decisions.

6.Increase in American nationalism.

7.Further westward expansion.

1.New intellectual and religious movements.

2.Social reforms.

3.Beginnings of the Industrial Revolution in America.

4.Re-emergence of a second party system and morepolitical democratization.

5.Increase in federal power Marshall Ct. decisions.

6.Increase in American nationalism.

7.Further westward expansion.

“Manifest Destiny”“Manifest Destiny”

First coined by newspaper editor, John O’Sullivan in 1845.

First coined by newspaper editor, John O’Sullivan in 1845.

".... the right of our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and . . . of self-government entrusted to us. "

".... the right of our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and . . . of self-government entrusted to us. "

A myth of the West as a land of romance and adventure emerged.

A myth of the West as a land of romance and adventure emerged.

“American Progress” by John Gast, 1872

“American Progress” by John Gast, 1872

Early History of Texas

Original inhabitants were Native Americans.

Soon the Spanish explorers placed claims on Texas lands.

French threw their hat into the Texas ring; Spanish responded with the mission system.

Spanish began to send in missionaries to convert Native Americans to Catholicism and make loyal Spanish subjects.

Mission system would fail; French would ultimately leave.

Americans Move into Texas:The Austin Family Story

1820 - Moses Austin approached Spanish about a plan called the Texas Venture:

– In exchange for land, he would build a colony for the Spanish

Moses died early, son Stephen carried out the plans.

1821—Mexico won independence from Spain

1823 - Austin’s Colony was established and was soon full of farmers, ranchers, slaves, . . . & economic opportunity.

Encouraged the use of empresarios – contractors who were given large amounts of land and who would recruit settlers and establish colonies

Stephen Austin(1793-1836)

Stephen Austin(1793-1836)

The Texas Revolution:

Rising tensions Americans in Texas, who received land grants, had to agree to the following:

– Surrender their American citizenship– Swear allegiance to Mexico– Adopt Roman Catholic religion– Hold the land for 7 years

However, most settlers did not comply with these rules:– Still thought of themselves as Americans– Brought slaves to Texas – Loyalties & economic practices clearly favored the U.S.

Result: Mexico felt that they were losing control of their territory and began to pass & enforce new laws including:

– Stopped American immigration– Cancelled empresario contracts– Placed a high tariff on U.S. goods

International Tensions &

The Texas Revolution Mexican gov. officials grew

weary of U.S. westward expansion policies.

Many Texans began to believe the best solution was if Texas became an independent state.

1836 Texas declared independence, adopted a Constitution & legalized slavery.

Remember the Alamo

Mex. Pres. Santa Anna did not accept TX independenceattacked American folk heroes Davy Crockett & Jim Bowie at the AlamoRally cry in

the greater U.S. General Sam Houston & others rushed to “defend” TX Battle of San Jacinto 1836

Defeated the Mexicans

Davey Crockett’s Last Stand

Davey Crockett’s Last Stand

The Battle of the Alamo

The Battle of the Alamo

The Republic of TexasThe Republic of Texas

The Texas Question

Mexican government refused to accept Texas as an independent state

Texans voted for annexation to the United States

Van Buren refused to act on this for fear that slavery would divide the Democratic Jacksonians.

The Debate over the Annexation of Texas

Americans were split over their support for Texas annexation, but most Americans admired the Texans spirit – Amer. Rev.

Congress also debated—there was nothing in the Constitution about admitting an independent nation to the U.S.

Southerners supported annexation:

– Admitting Texas as a slave state would give the south an edge in political power

Northerners opposed the annexation:

– annexation would spread slavery south & westward and increase slave power in Congress

“Log Cabin & Cider” Campaign

Remember Election 1840…

“Tippecanoe, and Tyler, Too!”

James Polk VS.

DEMOCRATS WHIGS

Henry Clay

Election of 1844Oregon & Texas were the primary issues.

Election of 1844

James K. Polk Gov. of Tennessee Slave owner Favored annexation “Young Hickory” Called for the Re-Occupation

of Oregon & Re-Annexation of Texas

54º40' or Fight!

Trails WestwardTrails Westward

1844 Election Results

Annexation of Texas was a key issue of this election

Election would determine US government’s western policy

1. Lower the tariff.

2. Resolve the Oregon boundarydispute.

3. Restore the independent treasury.

4. Acquire California & Texas.

Goals of Polk’s Administration

Settling the Texas Question

• Polk supported Manifest Destiny & favored annexation.

• Mexico warned any attempt to annex Texas was “equivalent to a declaration of war.”

• March 1845 – Congress finally passed a joint resolution (after some wrangling) annexing Texas.

• December 29, 1845 – Texas became part of the US.

Impact on U.S. & Mexican Relations

Mexico refused to recognize the

independence of the Republic of Texas

Viewed the annexation as a theft of Mexican territory

broke off diplomatic relations with the U.S.

U.S.A. Polk enthusiastically supported

national expansion—Texas was just the beginning

Wanted to acquire more land between Texas & the Pacific Ocean

------------------------------------------------“to enlarge {the United States} is to extend

the dominions of peace over additional territories and increasing millions…my

duty is to assert and maintain…the right of the United States to that portion of out

territory which lies beyond the Rocky Mountains…” --Polk

The Mexican War (1846-1848)

The Mexican War (1846-1848)

As Americans pushed westward, Polk took steps to acquire all of the Southwest.

Zachary Taylor and a U.S. army of 2,000 soldiers headed for disputed territory between the Nueces & Rio Grande rivers.

Orders were clear—soldiers were to “provoke a fight,” and be sure “Mexico started it.”

As Americans pushed westward, Polk took steps to acquire all of the Southwest.

Zachary Taylor and a U.S. army of 2,000 soldiers headed for disputed territory between the Nueces & Rio Grande rivers.

Orders were clear—soldiers were to “provoke a fight,” and be sure “Mexico started it.”

CA: The Bear Flag Republic

Polk dispatched John Fremont to California and deep into Mexican territory.

“Possession is 9/10ths of the law” theory.

encouraged Mexicans there to declare independence and called for peaceful annexation.

The Slidell Mission: Nov., 1845

The Slidell Mission: Nov., 1845

Meanwhile . . . Polk sent diplomat John Slidell on a secret mission to buy land and negotiate the following:

Mexican recognition of the Rio Grande River as the TX-US border.

Up to $30 million for CA & NM

Mexican officials told him to pound sand.

(Which Polk anticipated would be the response!)

Meanwhile . . . Polk sent diplomat John Slidell on a secret mission to buy land and negotiate the following:

Mexican recognition of the Rio Grande River as the TX-US border.

Up to $30 million for CA & NM

Mexican officials told him to pound sand.

(Which Polk anticipated would be the response!)

John SlidellJohn Slidell

Zachary Taylor

• As luck would have it, Mexico DID begin a skirmish just north of the Rio Grande . . . (hmm…)

• In May 1846, Polk’s message to congress stated that, “Mexico had invaded our territory and shed the blood of our fellow-citizens on our own soil.” Congress declared warThe Mexican-American War had begun.

General Scott Enters Mexico City

General Scott Enters Mexico City

• In a matter of months, U.S. forces were able to take California and New Mexico.

• When the Mexican capital of Mexico City fell to the U.S., Mexico was forced to give in to American demands.

The Mexican War (1846-1848)

The Mexican War (1846-1848)

Ended the Mexican-American War. Territory known as the “Mexican

Cession”—nearly half of Mexico at the time—was awarded to the U.S.

Created Rio Grande as international border

U.S. paid $15 million to Mexico for territory.

In 1854 Gadsden Purchase solidified southern boundary and mineral deposits to U.S.

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848

Results of the Mexican War?

Results of the Mexican War?

1. The 17-month war cost $100,000,000 and 13,000+American lives (mostly of disease).

2. New territories were brought into the Union which forced the explosive issue of SLAVERY to the center of national politics. * Brought in 1 million sq. mi. of land (incl. TX)

3. These new territories would upset the balance of power between North and South.

4. Acted as a training ground for future Civil War generals.

5. Manifest Destiny partially realized.

1. The 17-month war cost $100,000,000 and 13,000+American lives (mostly of disease).

2. New territories were brought into the Union which forced the explosive issue of SLAVERY to the center of national politics. * Brought in 1 million sq. mi. of land (incl. TX)

3. These new territories would upset the balance of power between North and South.

4. Acted as a training ground for future Civil War generals.

5. Manifest Destiny partially realized.

Wilmot Proviso, 1846Wilmot Proviso, 1846

“neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory,”

“neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory,” Congr. David

Wilmot(D-PA)

Congr. David Wilmot(D-PA)

Free Soil PartyFree Soil Party

Free Soil! Free Speech! Free Labor! Free Men!

Free Soil! Free Speech! Free Labor! Free Men!

“Barnburners” – discontented northern Democrats.

Anti-slave members of the Liberty and Whig Parties.

Opposition to the extension of slavery in the newterritories!

“Barnburners” – discontented northern Democrats.

Anti-slave members of the Liberty and Whig Parties.

Opposition to the extension of slavery in the newterritories!

WHY?

WHY?

The End of Polk’s “Reign”

The End of Polk’s “Reign” • The wrangling over

slavery in this new territory—and Polk’s vague stance on it—cost him & the democrats the election

• Zachary Taylor—a Whig and a war hero—would win a narrow electoral majority . . . political parties were fragmenting . . .