Manifest Destiny in the 1840S

AP U.S. History: Unit 7 HistorySage.com Manifest Destiny in the 1840s

Note: Unless your teacher requires you to know about Tyler’s presidency Use space below for and some international incidents regarding Britain and the U.S., skip to notes the section on “Manifest Destiny” below. The AP exam never covers the aforementioned material.

I. President John Tyler A. 1840 Election: Harrison (Whig) defeated Van Buren (Democrat) 1. Slogan: "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too" (Harrison & Tyler for President) 2. Prominent Whigs (Webster and Clay) sought to control Harrison 3. Harrison died of pneumonia after 4 weeks in office 4. Vice President Tyler became president; blocked plans of Webster & Clay B. Tyler was a Jacksonian in philosophy but did not like Jackson personally. 1. Opposed Whig Party's support for Clay’s "American System" 2. Vetoed more bills than any single-term president in U.S. history. C. End of Independent treasury system (Van Buren’s "Divorce Bill") -- Tyler signed the bill; Whigs sought a 3rd national bank. D. Tyler vetoed bill for creation of a 3rd national bank E. Tyler expelled from his party by congressional caucus of Whigs F. Whig attempt to impeach him led to resignation of entire cabinet G. 1842, Tyler signed bill to raise protective tariff to 32%.

II. U.S. Conflict with England in late 1830s & early 1840s A. Caroline Incident (1837 -- during Van Buren’s presidency) 1. U.S ship set on fire on NY shore and sunk by British; one American dead 2. 1840, a Canadian man arrested for alleged role in the attack. -- British stated his execution would mean war as man was part of a military force 3. U.S. released the Canadian prisoner and tensions subsided B. Creole incident,1841: British in Bahamas offered asylum to 130 Virginia slaves who had rebelled and captured the U.S. ship Creole -- US-British relations soured as Southerners wanted compensation C. Maine boundary dispute 1. British desired to build a road connecting Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Quebec -- Road ran through disputed territory in northern Maine.

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2. "Aroostook War" (1838) Use space below for a. Canadian lumberjacks entered Aroostook River Valley to claim notes: land; were confronted by Maine Militia; conflict was bloodless. b. Conflict threatened to widen into a real war. c. British diplomat, Lord Ashburton negotiated with U.S. secretary of state Daniel Webster. 3. Webster-Ashburton Treaty (1842) a. U.S. retained over half of the territory while British got the Halifax-Quebec route b. Britain expressed regret for the destruction of the Caroline c. Britain promised to avoid interference in freeing slaves (as in the Creole incident) d. Both agreed to cooperate in patrolling the African coast to prevent smuggling e. U.S. gained land in Minnesota (later, valuable iron ore was discovered there) f. Significance: improved U.S.-British relations

III. Manifest Destiny A. Millions of Americans in the 1840s & 50s believed that God chose Americans to control the Western Hemisphere. 1. Felt their mission was to spread democratic institutions from "sea to shining sea." 2. Land greed and idealism joined into a potent mix for expansion 3. Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton was a leading proponent of expansionism, free land, and internal improvements. 4. "Manifest destiny" phrase coined in 1844 by John L. Sullivan 5. Movement really began in the 1830s with Jackson & Van Buren removing the Indians from the southeast to Oklahoma.

B. Election of 1844 was an expression of Manifest Destiny 1. Expansionist Democrats supported "Young Hickory," James K. Polk a. Historians often extend "Jacksonian Democracy" through Polk's presidency (1828-1840) b. Sought to annex Texas & gain Oregon up to the 54˚40’parallel. 2. Whigs nominated Henry Clay (his third run for president) -- Clay’s attempt to straddle the Texas issue cost him the presidency 3. Liberty Party: 1st party created for the anti-extension of slavery a. Candidate: James G. Birney, founder of the Kentucky Anti-Slavery Society b. Party ran in both the 1840 and 1844 elections 4. Polk defeated Clay 170-105 a. The Liberty Party took enough votes away from Clay that he lost New York by only 5,000 votes and it cost him the election. © HistorySage.com 2012 All Rights Reserved

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b. Democrats claimed mandate for annexation; moot when Use space below for Tyler annexed Texas notes:

Memory Aid for Manifest Destiny:

“TOM” -- Texas, Oregon, Mexican War

IV. Texas joins the Union A. Republic of Texas lasted nine years 1. Mexico had refused to recognize Texas independence since 1836. a. Threatened war if U.S. should try annexation b. Texas feared Mexico’s larger and superior military forces 2. Texas signed treaties with England, France, and the Netherlands for protection in 1839-1840. a. Britain was interested in Texas as buffer zone against further U.S. expansion. -- Area could be used for European challenge to the Monroe Doctrine b. France also hoped to divide North America.

B. Texas became the leading issue in the 1844 campaign (Polk v. Clay) 1. Opponents feared expansion of slavery into a new region 2. Southerners strongly supported annexation of Texas as it would add another slave state to the Union

C. 1845, Tyler got a joint resolution in Congress for annexation (required only majority) 1. Didn't push for a treaty as it required 2/3 vote in the Senate; many Whigs were opposed to Texas’ entry into the Union. 2. Lame-duck Tyler interpreted the (narrow) election as a mandate for annexation. 3. Therefore, Texas became part of the U.S. by the time Polk took the oath of office in March, 1845

D. Mexico claimed the U.S. had unjustly taken Texas and refused to recognize the annexation

V. President James K. Polk A. One of the most successful one-term presidents in U.S. history 1. Strong proponent of Jacksonian ideals (his supporters called him “Young Hickory”) 2. Polk was a slave-owner his entire life and owned plantations in Tennessee and Mississippi.

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B. Polk’s 4-point program (achieved in less than four years) Use space below for 1. Lowered tariff of 1842 from 32% to 25% (Walker Tariff, 1846) notes -- Proved to be excellent revenue producer as it was followed by boom times. 2. Restoration of the Independent Treasury System (1846) 3. Acquisition of California 4. Settlement of the Oregon dispute

Memory Aid for Polk's Presidency:

COIL -- California, Oregon, Independent Treasury System, and Lower tariff

C. Oregon 1. Region had been disputed in certain sections by Spain, Russia, Britain, and the U.S. a. John Jacob Astor: Developed the American Fur Company into a huge enterprise organizing the fur trade from the Great Lakes to Oregon. -- When Astor died in 1848, he was the richest man in America b. Spain gave away claims to Oregon in Florida Purchase Treaty in 1819 c. Conflict with Russia i. Fort Ross established by Russia in 1812 just north of San Francisco ii. Monroe Doctrine was intended by John Quincy Adams partly to reject Russian claims. iii. Russia retreated to the 54˚40’line due to 1824-25 treaties with the U.S. and Britain -- U.S. and Britain became sole possessors of the territory

2. American migration flowed into the Oregon region (south of the Columbia River) a. Oregon Trail: 1840’s: flood of pioneers with came to Oregon on a trail blazed by Jedediah Smith. i. 2,000 mile trail; average of 17 deaths per mile for pioneers -- Trail began at Independence, Missouri or Council Bluffs, Iowa ii. By 1846, 5,000 U.S. settlers lived south of Columbia River; British had only 700 people living north of river b. Britain was concerned about large U.S. migration into the region i. A disputed area existed between the Columbia River and the 49th parallel. -- A proposed compromise of the 49th parallel was initially refused by Britain © HistorySage.com 2012 All Rights Reserved

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c. Polk abandoned the campaign pledge of a 54˚40’ boundary Use space below for i. Some Democrats had advocated "54˚40’or fight!" notes: ii. Didn't want to tip north-south political balance with new additional northern states. iii. Southerners, happy with Texas annexation and the election, accepted the 49th parallel. iv. Early in 1846, Britain agreed to the 49th parallel as the new Oregon border between the U.S. and Canada

3. Oregon Treaty (1846): U.S. received Oregon territory south of the 49th parallel a. War with Mexico influenced many senators to seek a quick end to the dispute b. Northwestern states were angry that southerners got all of Texas but the U.S. did not get all of Oregon.

D Mexican War (1846-1848) 1. Polk sought to buy California from Mexico; Mexico not interested as they were still angry concerning Texas’ annexation a. California was seen as gateway to the Pacific b. Texas’ annexation issue caused Mexico to sever diplomatic relations with U.S. c. Boundary dispute: Original boundary was the northerly Nueces River; Texans claimed the Rio Grande to the South i. Polk honored the Rio Grande as Texas’ boundary ii. Mexico less concerned over boundary, wanted Texas back d. U.S. claimed against Mexico $3 million in damages to U.S. citizens and property during the Texas war for independence -- Mexico had formally agreed to assume this debt but defaulted e. Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico City in late 1845 to buy California for $25 million i. Mexico refused to allow Slidell to present his proposition ii. A slighted Polk now looked for a reason to go to war

2. Declaration of War a. Jan. 1846, Polk ordered Gen. Zachary Taylor to march from Nueces River to Rio Grande, and ordered the U.S. Navy in the Gulf of Mexico and the California coast to be ready. -- Polk was prepared to force a showdown but none occurred b. April, Mexican troops crossed the Rio Grande and attacked one of Taylor’s surprised patrols resulting in16 casualties i. Polk sent his war message to Congress in response ii. May 13, Congress overwhelmingly voted for a declaration of war (only 14 Whigs voted “no”). -- Although many antislavery Whigs joined in, they later condemned the conflict as "Mr. Polk’s War" © HistorySage.com 2012 All Rights Reserved

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c. “Conscience Whigs”: A majority of Whigs opposed the war in Use space below for principle. notes i. Some Whigs questioned if the war had begun on U.S. territory -- “Spot” Resolutions: Rep. Abraham Lincoln sought the exact "spot" ii. Many Whigs believed U.S. had no legal right to land south of the Nueces River. iii. Ralph Waldo Emerson feared slavery issue in new conquered territories would lead to a severe sectional crisis: "Mexico will poison us!" iv. Henry David Thoreau went to jail rather than pay taxes to support the war -- A few years later he wrote Civil Disobedience (1849) d. Southern expansionists eager to take more Mexican territory. e. Mexico hoped U.S. involvement with Britain over Oregon would erupt into war -- Wanted to humiliate the U.S. for Texas issue

3. U.S. initiated a three-pronged invasion of Mexico a. California by land i. Capt. John C. Fremont captured California, after the state had earlier won its independence in the Bear Flag Revolt ii.1846, Gen. Stephen W. Kearny captured Santa Fe and moved into California b. California by sea -- Commodore John D. Sloat seized Monterey & San Francisco c. Mexico by land i. Gen. Zachary Taylor victorious at Monterey and Buena Vista against Mexican General (and president) Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna -- Taylor was an overnight hero (elected president in 1848) ii. Gen. Winfield Scott pushed inland from Vera Cruz and captured Mexico City. -- Mexico still refused to negotiate and instead carried on guerrilla warfare.

4. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (Feb.2, 1848) a. Provisions: i. U.S. gained California, and modern-day NM, AZ, UT & NV -- Mexico thus lost one-half of its territory ii. U.S. agreed to pay $15 million and assumed claims of U.S. citizens against Mexico of $3,250,000 b. Treaty approved by the Senate 38-14 despite bitter debate i. "Mexican Whigs" disapproved of war & even threatened to cut off supplies to U.S. forces in Mexico © HistorySage.com 2012 All Rights Reserved

HistorySage.com APUSH Lecture Notes Page 7 Unit 7: Manifest Destiny

ii. Expansionists in South clamored for all of Mexico Use space below for iii. Calhoun pushed for the treaty immediately before notes significant opposition mounted.

5. Results of Mexican War a. Most significantly, the slavery issue was ignited: would slavery exist in the new territories? i. In a broad sense, Mexican War contributed to the Civil War ii. Abolitionists saw the Mexican War as conspiracy of southern slave owners. b. Wilmot Proviso, 1848 (proposed law; did not pass Congress) i. Law proposed that slavery should never exist in any of the territory gained from Mexico ii. Twice passed the House but not the Senate; endorsed by all but one free state iii. Southerners resented Northern attempts to prevent the expansion of slavery c. U.S. territory increased by 1/3 (including Texas); bigger than the Louisiana Territory purchased in 1803 d. 13,000 Americans died in the war, mostly due to disease. e. Sentiment for expansionism increased in the U.S. (see 1850s) f. Latin America began to negatively view U.S. as the "Colossus of the North" g. U.S. forces became experienced in war; this would affect the scope of the Civil War

Terms to Know

Manifest Destiny Texas boundary dispute election of 1844 Nueces River

President James K. Polk Rio Grande River Liberty Party General Zachary Taylor Walker Tariff Mexican War John Jacob Astor “Conscience Whigs” Oregon Trail “Spot” Resolutions “54˚40’ or Fight!” “Mexico will poison us!” Oregon Treaty Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo annexation of Texas Wilmot Proviso President John Tyler

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Essay Questions

Note: This sub-unit is a high probability area for the AP exam. In the past 10 years, 4 questions have come wholly or in part from the material in this chapter. Below are some questions that will help you study the topics that have appeared on previous exams.

1. Analyze several factors that led to American expansion in the 1840s.

2. To what extent did American expansionists achieve their goals between 1840 and 1848?

3. Compare and contrast American expansionism during “Manifest Destiny” in the 1840s with expansionism in the years between 1800 and 1840. (You may have to review Unit 4).

4. To what extent was President James K. Polk successful in achieving his political goals during his presidency?

Bibliography:

College Board, Advanced Placement Course Description: History -- United States, College Entrance Examination Board, published annually Foner, Eric & Garraty, John A. editors: The Reader’s Companion to American History, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1991 Hofstadter, Richard, The American Political Tradition, New York: Alfred Knopf, 1948 Kennedy, David M., Cohen, Lizabeth, Bailey, Thomas A., The American Pageant (AP Edition), 13th edition, Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006 McPherson, James, Battle Cry of Freedom, New York: Balantine Books, 1988 Nash, Gary : American Odyssey, Lake Forest, Illinois: Glencoe, 1992 Schultz, Constance G., The American History Videodisc Master Guide, Maryland: Instruction Resources Corporation, 1995 Yanak, Ted, and Cornelison, Pam, The Great American History Fact- Finder, Boston: Houghton-Mifflin, 1993 Zinn, Howard, A People’s History of the United States, New York: Harper and Row, 1980