Download - AP Chapter 17
-
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