manifest destiny
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Manifest Destiny. The American Pageant: Chapter 17. MANIFEST DESTINY. The belief that it was God’s will that the U.S. expand from sea to shining sea - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
MANIFEST DESTINY
The belief that it was God’s will that the U.S. expand from sea to shining sea
Market revolution, advancements in transportation and increasing nationalism drove Americans to seek opportunities and spread the virtue of America across the continent
Harrison (Whig elected)› Figurehead president: Clay ran most of
show› Died 4 weeks after being elected
John Tyler (his V.P.) replaced him› Switched from Jacksonian Democrat to
Whig (a democrat in Whig’s clothing)› “Tyler Precedent”
The Webster-Ashburton Treaty-1842
Britain and US still have poor relations Brits want to build a road from Halifax
to Quebec through disputed ME land claim
Aroostook War Settled by Webster-Ashburton Treaty Divided the territory and settled
boundary line PLUS settled Northern boundary of Minnesota
Mexico believed that Texas was a territory in revolt
Texas negotiated with Britain and France for protection
Britain wanted an independent Texas to control American southward expansion. France was thinking the same thing.
Texas was also an area without Tariffs.
The North against the south for Before Polk took office, he called for a
joint resolution to annex Texas because he could not get a 2/3rds Senate vote. › A joint resolution meant that each house
must have a majority vote (a simple majority) to pass an annexation.
› Texas was invited into the Union in 1845. Mexico was NOT happy
Oregon was a territory under much dispute with Spain, Russia, Britain, the US,
Spain backed out after the Adams-Onis Treaty (Florida Purchase) and the Russians backed above the 54*40’ line after treaties with Britain and the US.
Treaty of 1818 – Joint territory: US/Britain Major issue of 1844 Campaign. Polk’s
slogan: “Fifty-four forty or fight!”
Oregon- The Results
Polk negotiates with Britain US settles on the 49th parallel Cedes Vancouver Island to Britain Gives them navigation rights on
Columbia River
James A Polk wins 1844 election vs. Clay› Polk is Expansionist Democrat
Democrats were passionate about Manifest Destiny › (expansion from east to the west and the
north to the south) Democrats view their victory as a
“mandate” to take Texas
Polk wanted to purchase CA but Mexico was mad at U.S., diplomatic relations over
Rumor that California was being eyed by the British. › If the British acquired it, then the Monroe
Doctrine would be violated › Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico City to
propose up to $25 million to buy CA.› The Mexicans felt insulted by this act.
Polk sent Gen. Zachary Taylor to Mexico
April 25, 1846 - Mexican troops crossed the Rio Grande and attacked Taylor’s command, 16 casualties
Polk asked Congress to declare war and they did› Everyone did not want war (Whigs)› Lincoln and Spot Resolutions
California fell easily, aided by explorer John Freemont
Gen Zachary Taylor in charge of main thrust. › At Buena Vista, Taylor and 5,000 troops defeat
20,000 strong Mexican Army. General Winfield Scott was sent to Mexico City
› Defeats Mexicans in brilliant campaign-1847
Trist signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on Feb 2, 1848› Terms gave Texas and California to
America› Plus most of Southwest (NM, AZ, UT, NV)› America would pay $15 million for the land
and assumed the claims of its citizens in amount of $3,250,000
Small war, large land gains for U.S. Training ground for Civil War leaders Foreign countries gained respect for
U.S. and its army The Mexican war was a factor that led
to the Civil War (sectionalism and slavery)
Revived the issue of slavery
Wilmot Proviso-Splits North and South
1846 by PA Representative David Wilmot
Proposed amendment forbid slavery in any new lands acquired by war with Mexico
Passed in House, failed in Senate Signaled start of a deep crisis pitting
North vs. South over slavery, states’ rights, and representation