Chapter 17; (1841-1848) Manifest Destiny & Its Legacy

JQ Adams, Secretary of State, (1824) “[The taking of all of North America by the United States is] as much a law of nature… as that the Mississippi should flow to the sea.”

John L. Sullivan, “Our manifest destiny [is] to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of yearly multiplying millions.”

I. The Accession of “Tyler too” Election 1840

P.396 W.H.Harrison dies w/i 30 days; Clay is unable to enact his policies. Tyler - “Democrat in Whig clothing”

II. John Tyler: A President w/o a party. “His Accidency”

P.397 1) Tyler vetoed Clay’s bank proposal, & vetoes increased tariffs.

2) Entire cabinet [except Daniel Webster who was negotiating the Webster- Ashburton Treaty w/ England] resigned &

3) Tyler was kicked out of the Whig Party.

III. A War of Words w/ England --

P.398 Caroline Affair - Sinking of American steamer supplying weapons to Canadians.

Creole Incident - 1841 England offers asylum to 130 slaves.

IV. Manipulating the Maine Maps

P.399 Aroostook War – a/k/a Lumberjack War. Border dispute. Compromised on Maine border w/ England.

Treaty: Webster-Ashburton Treaty.

V. The Lone Star of Texas Shines Alone/Belated TX Nuptials

P.400 TX not admitted earlier to Union b/c: 1) Mexico threatened war 2) North opposed admitting a slave state. However, TX negotiates w/ Europe. US fears European influence.

1 TX admitted. Note after Polk elected but under Tyler.

VI. James K. Polk P.401-3 A. Election 1844 Clay (W) vs. James K. Polk (D) “Young Hickory”

Issue: Manifest Destiny. The U.S. will spread from sea to shining sea. Clay Against. Polk For. Polk wins.

Liberty Party: 3rd Party opposed to slavery-steals votes from Clay in NY causing him to lose the election.

B. Polks (4 Point Program)

Point #1 - Obtain Oregon

Oregon Boundary Dispute. (w/England).

Slogan: 54’40* or fight. See Map. Almost war.

Compromise: Divide the difference at 49*

Point #2 - Raise Tariffs

Walker Tariff –

Point #3 - Restore Independent Treasury - Successful

Point #4 - Obtain Mexican land to the Pacific Ocean

1) Slidell Offer. (Polk’s envoy to Mexico) Offers to buy CA for $25m. Mexico refuses.

2) Border dispute w/ TX & Mexico.

Mexico claims land north to Nueces River. TX claims southern border to the Rio Grande. See Map P. 409.

Polk, to provoke Mexico, places troops in disputed territory. Mexico attacks. U.S. declares war on Mexico. (1846-1848).

Question: Why all of Texas and not all of Oregon Answer: B/C England is strong and Mexico is weak. (Sen. Benton of MO)

Generals: a) Zachary Taylor (Old rough & ready). b) Winfield Scott (Old fuss & feathers).

2 3) John C. Fremont (R). (1846) Leads band of men w/ help from U.S. navy and overthrows Mexican rule in CA. (Bear Flag Republic)

4) The War. 1846-1848.

A) Battle of Buena Vista. Zachary Taylor w/ 5K troops defeats Santa Anna w/ 20K troops. B) Winfield Scott conquers Mexico City.

5) Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

U.S. gains 1/3 of Mexico. (CA,NM, North to Oregon). Mexico receives $18m.

VII) Profit & Loss in Mexico

1) 13K U.S. dead.

2) Fulfill Manifest Destiny. Dramatically increase size.

3) Schoolroom for Civil War soldiers.

4) U.S. “Colossus of the North” Seen as Big Bully in Americas

5) Increased Slavery Tension.

Wilmot Proviso (Passed House not Senate) “Slavery shall never exist in the land taken from Mexico.”

VIII) War Protests/Opposition

1) In general people who opposed slavery, Whigs, etc.

(OI) 2) Henry David Thoreau: Wrote: “The Duty of Civil Disobedience” (See Handout)

Refused to pay poll tax which paid for the war and, therefore, was jailed.

Why? He believed it was:

A. Immoral to extend slavery. B. Immoral to invade an independent country.

Compare from Global: Gandhi in India

3 3) Ralph Waldo Emerson - Wrote against war.

4) Lincoln. “Spot Resolutions” “Spotty Lincoln”

Conscience Whigs – Oppose War/Slavery.

Wanted precise spot on American soil where Mexicans shed American blood.

Why?

a) Lincoln was a Whig. Opposed to expansion of slavery.

b) Believed it was unconstitutional b/c Congress needs to declare war not the President.

Later, we’ll look at Lincoln’s questionable Constitutional acts in Civil war.

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