The American Pageant

Chapter 17:

Manifest Destiny and Its Legacy

1841-1848

Battle of Buena Vista, by Samuel Chamberlain, 1847

An American private, Samuel E. Chamberlain, made this drawing of the Battle of

Buena Vista. Present at the battle, Chamberlain watched as Mexican forces

overran an artillery emplacement. The Americans eventually turned the tide and

the battle came out a draw. Even so, troops under Santa Anna were forced to

retreat into the Mexican interior, spoiling the general's hope for a quick and easy

victory against the invading Americans. (San Jacinto Museum of History

Association)

Battle of Buena Vista, by Samuel Chamberlain, 1847

Congressional Scales, 1850

The question of how a war with

Mexico might unbalance the nation

politically weighed heavily on

people's minds as the nation

entered the 1850s. In this cartoon,

lithographer Nathaniel Currier --

who later would found the famous

graphic art company Currier and

Ives--illustrates the problem.

Trying to balance the Wilmot

Proviso against Southern Rights,

the president seeks to keep

congressional representatives from

the North and the South in balance

as well. (Library of Congress)

Congressional Scales, 1850

Daguerreotype of Soldiers in Mexican American War

This photograph shows General John F. Wool (in the center, wearing a

heavy coat) and his staff at Saltillo, the capital of the Mexican state of

Coahuila, in 1846 or 1847. Wool respected individual Mexicans as

soldiers, but noted Mexico's lack of unity. "Had the nation [Mexico] been

united," he wrote, "we could not have gained a single victory." (Library of

Congress)

Election of 1844, artist unknown

An unknown artist depicted, in rich detail, the election campaign of 1844.

A team of Polk supporters offers a campaign handbill to the seated voter.

Passions were so high and party organization was so extensive that door -

to-door politicking became the norm. (Courtesy of Nathan Liverant and

Son)

Election of 1844, artist unknown

James K. Polk by George Peter

Alexander Healy, 1846

Lacking charm, Polk bored even his

friends, but few presidents could

match his record of acquiring land

for the United States. (James K.

Polk Memorial Association,

Columbia, Tennessee)

James K. Polk by George Peter Alexander Healy, 1846

Mission San Gabriel by Ferdinand Deppe , 1832

The San Gabriel Mission was founded in 1771 in southern California,

partly with the intent of converting the local Indians, shown here settled

in a thatched hut, to Catholicism. In 1781 the Spanish governor set out

from this mission to found El Pueblo de Nuestra Seora la Reina de Los

Angeles' Porcincula , now usually known simply as Los Angeles.

(Courtesy Santa Barbara Mission Archive -Library)

Mission San Gabriel by Ferdinand Deppe, 1832

Mission San Gabriel by Ferdinand Deppe , 1832

Using Indian labor, Franciscan missionaries transformed the dry

California coastal hill country into a blooming garden and built a long

string of missions in which to celebrate their religion. This painting of

Mission San Gabriel conveys the beauty and the awesome size of these

mission establishments. (Santa Barbara Mission Archive)

Mission San Gabriel by Ferdinand Deppe, 1832

Polk and Dallas Flag

This campaign banner celebrating the candidacy of James K. Polk and

George M. Dallas on the Democratic ticket carries a subtle message

conveying the party's platform. Surrounding Polk's picture are twenty -

five stars, one for each state in the Union. Outside the corner box, a

twenty -sixth star stands for Texas, which Polk promised to annex.

(Collection of David J. and Janet L. Frent )

Polk and Dallas Flag

1840 Election

William Henry Harrison

Longest Inaugural

speech - shortest term

in office

John Tyler takes over:

he is a political

independent chosen to

rights party members

Tyler splits from the

party - he had been

added to the ticket

because he believed in

He vetoes the new bank

He is expelled from his

own party

His cabinet resigns in

mass (except Daniel

Webster)

Trouble with Great Britain

Literature pirating plagiarism

Canadian Civil War Caroline Affair

American steamer bringing supplies to the rebels

Captured and burned by British

Creole Affair 1841 - British in Bahamas give asylum to 130 escaped slaves

Aroostook War 1837 lumber dispute on Canadian -Maine border

Webster -Ashburton Treaty 1842

US gave up 5,000 sq. miles in Maine

US gets 6,500 sq. miles in Minnesota

(later iron is found in the region)

Avoided war which seemed

unavoidable

The Lone Star Republic

Mexico threatened that they would

attack the US if Texas is annexed

Texas forced to provide a border defense:

To negotiate with France & Britain

-

After his victory, Tyler calls for a joint -

session of congress to annex Texas 1845