3. Territorial Expansion
• Expansion dominated American diplomacy and politics in
the 1840s.
• Settlers swarmed the Oregon County aggravating
relations with G.B.
• A desire to annex Texas increased tensions with Mexico.
[Mexico felt Texas was their province in revolt]
• Covetous eyes were cast on California as well erupted in
warfare
• Victory over Mexico and expansion increased the tension
between slave owners and abolitionists leading to the
Civil War in 1860
4. President Harrison
• Newly elected president Harrison was
shocked by the amount of hard-ciderites
descending upon the White House in
1841 demanding Whig spoilsmen
• The real leaders of the Whigs referred to
“Old Tippecanoe” as an impressive
figure head
• Cabinet consisted of:
• Daniel Webster- Secretary of State
• Also had Henry Clay, the Whig party
leader, as the most powerful presence in
the Senate. Both tried to usurp the
presidency
• President Harrison was forced to rebuke
Clay, pointedly telling him that he was
the president of the United States
5. Schemers
• The schemes of Webster and
Clay hit a fatal snag as Harrison
contract pneumonia
• Wearied by official functions
and plagued by office seekers-
Harrison died only 4 weeks into
office
• John Tyler- Vice President to
Henry Harrison; successor as
President following Harrison's
death
6. The Accession of “Tyler
Too”
• 6 ft tall, slender, blue-eyed, and
fair-haired with classical features
• Tyler was from VA and old school
• Gracious, kind yet stubborn
• Earlier resigned from the Senate
rather than accept distasteful
instruction from the VA legislature
Taylor’s enemies portrayed
• A lone-wolf who abandoned him as a Democrat, but
Jacksonian democracy for Whig
Taler was more of a Whig
principles, he did not tolerate
minority who valued
dictatorial policies
Jeffersonian states rights
7. Policies of Tyler
• vetoed Banks of United States
• lowered tariff.
• Instituted financial reform
• The independent treasury system was ended
• A bill for a "Fiscal Bank," which would establish a new Bank of the United
States went through Congress, but President Tyler vetoed it
• The Whigs presented a "Fiscal Corporation" but the president again
vetoed it.
• President Tyler was rejected by his former Whig Party.
• Referred to as “His Accidency” and “Executive Ass”
• Tyler signed the Tariff of 1842 which was a protective Whig tariff
• Raised tariffs to pre-Compromise of 1833 rates
8. A War of Words with
Britain
• During the 19th Century, there was much hatred of Britain.
• Anti-British protests came from the two Anglo-American
wars, and Jacksonian Democrats
• British travelers wrote of American tobacco spitting, slave
auctioneering, lynching, eye gouging and other unsavory
features of America
• This sparked the "Third War with England."
• This war was only fought with paper broadsides.
• In 1837, there was a small rebellion in Canada.
• It failed because it was supported by few Canadians and it
could not enforce unpopular laws in the face of popular
opposition.
9. Yankee Doodle did What?!
• Britain lent America money to pay for canals and
railroads however when the Panic of 1837 hit-
several states defaulted on their loans.
• Englishmen then added a new stanza to Yankee
Doodle:
• Yankee Doodle borrows cash,
• Yankee Doodle spends it,
• And then he snaps his fingers at
• The jolly flat [simpleton] who lends it
10. The Land of
Liberty, 1847
. British
cartoon
reflected the
contemptuou
s view of
American
culture, politic
s, and
diplomacy
that was
common in
early 19th
century
Britain
11. The times get physical
• In 1837, the American ship, the
Caroline, was sunk by a British
force.
• Washington officials made
ineffective protests against the
attack.
• In 1841, British officials in the
Bahamas offered asylum to 130
Virginia slaves who had rebelled
and captured the American ship
Creole.
• Britain had abolished slavery
within its empire in 1833, raising
southern fears that its Caribbean
possessions would become
Canada-like havens for escaped
12. Manipulating the Maine
Maps
• In 1842, the British wanted to build a road westward from
the seaport of Halifax to Quebec, running through
disputed territory.
• Aroostook War [began 1839] Series of clashes between
American and Canadian lumberjacks in the disputed
territory of Maine, resolved when a permanent boundary
was agreed upon in 1842.
• The London Foreign Office sent Lord Ashburton to
Washington to settle the dispute
• He and Daniel Webster negotiated and gave the
Americans 7,000mi2 of the 12,000mi2 of land in dispute.
14. I am- Iron ORE!
• British got less land but won
the desired Halifax-Québec
route.
• The Caroline affair was also
patched up
• As a bonus, the British, in
adjusting to the U.S.-
Canadian boundary farther
west, surrendered 6,500 sq.
miles.
• Area contained priceless
Mesabi iron ore in
Minnesota
15. The Lone Star of Texas
Shines Alone
• In the 8 years since
1836, Mexico considered Texas
as a province in revolt and
refused to recognize Texas's
independence.
• Mexico threatened war if the
America protected Texas.
• Texas made treaties with
France, Holland, and Belgium.
• Britain wanted to have relations
with Texas because Britain could
try to make Texas tear America
apart.
• Britain wanted Texas as an
independent ally.
16. Covert Ops
• Britain used Texas as a puppet as a
smokescreen diversion
• The purpose was for foreign powers to
move into the Americas and challenge
the insolent Monroe Doctrine
• French schemers were also attracted
to this divide and conquer stratagem
• British abolitionists were trying to
influence Texas to inflame the South
• Texas land was one of the great
cotton-producing areas of the future
• An independent Texas would relieve
British looms of their dependence on
American fiber- a supply that could be
cut off in time of crisis because of
embargo and war
17. Texas or Disunion!
• Texas became a leading issue in the presidential
campaign of 1844.
• The foes of expansion assailed annexation, while
southern hotheads cried: “Texas or Disunion!”
• Pro-expansion Democrats under James K. Polk
finally triumphed over the Whigs under Henry
Clay, the hardy perennial candidate.
• Lame duck president Tyler thereupon interpreted the
narrow Democratic victory, with dubious
accuracy, as a “mandate” to acquire Texas
18. The Belated Texas
Nuptials
• Tyler wanted to shepherd Texas into the
Union to end his troubled administration on
a high note.
• Whigs worried that Texas in the Union
would be exactly what the South wanted to
increase “slave power”
• Tyler despaired of securing the needed ⅔’s
Senate vote for a treaty.
• Therefore he arranged for annexation by a
joint resolution.
19. Highway to the Danger
Zone
• Mexico angrily charged
that the Americans had
despoiled it of Texas
• While true in 1836, not in
1845- since Texas was not
Mexico’s
• 1845 the Lone Star
Republic became a danger
zone, inviting foreign
intrigue that menaced
Americans
20. Uncle Sam’s Song to Miss
Texas
• If Mexy back’d by secret foes,
• Still talks of getting you, gal;
• Why we can lick ‘em all you
know
• And then annex ‘em too, gal.
President Tyler signed a resolution in 1845 that invited
Texas to become the 28th state in America.
21. Oregon Fever Populates
Oregon
• Four nations claimed Oregon Country at one time:
• Spain
• Russia
• Britain
• U.S.A
• Spain dropped out of America with the Florida Treaty of 1819
• Russia dropped out with the treaties of 1824 and 1825.
• Britain controlled the portion north of the Columbia River.
• By 1846, about 5,000 Americans settled south of the Columbia River.
• The British had a lesser population but it did not want to give up its claims
to the Columbia River.
• The disputed territory in Oregon Country became an issue in the election
of 1844.
23. Manifest Destiny
John L. O’Sullivan influential columnist remembered for his use of the
phrase- “Manifest Destiny” to advocate the annexation of Texas and
Oregon
24. A Mandate for Manifest
Destiny
• In the election of 1844, the Whig party chose Henry
Clay, and the Democrats chose James K. Polk.
• James K. Polk was the Speaker of the House of
Representatives for four years and governor of
Tennessee for two terms.
• Campaign of 1844 was in part an expression of Manifest
Destiny- [1840s & 1850s] Belief that the United States
was destined by God to spread its “empire of liberty”
across North America. Served as a justification for
mid- 19th century expansion
• Expansionist democrats were swayed by Manifest
Destiny and their platforms included: “Reannexation of
Texas” and “Reoccupation of Oregon”
25. The Slogans
• Fifty-four forty or fight- [1846] slogan adopted by mid-19th
century expansionists who advocated the occupation of
the Oregon territory, jointly held by Britain and the United
States. Though President Polk had pledged to seize all of
Oregon to 54°40’, he settled on the 49th parallel as a
compromise with the British
• Condemned Clay as a “corrupt bargainer”- a dissolute
character and slave owner [even though Polk owned slaves]
• Whigs: “Polk, Slavery, and Texas or Clay, Union and Liberty”
• Also spread a lie that a gang of Tennessee slaves had been
seen on their way to a southern market branded with J.K.P
• Clay wrote confusing letters personally favoring annexing
slaveholding Texas and postponement- straddling both sides to
get votes
26. Election of 1844
• “Dark Horse” Polk beat Clay 170
Votes to 105 in the Electoral
College
• Liberty Party- [1844-1848]
Antislavery party that ran
candidates in the 1840 and
1844 elections before merging
with the Free Soil party.
Supporters of the Liberty
Party sought the eventual
abolition of slavery, but in the
short term hoped to halt the
expansion of slavery into the
territories and abolish the
domestic slave trade. [gained
16,000 votes]
27. “Young Hickory"
• said he would protect Texas
• he avoided the issue of slavery.
• Polk had four main goals for his presidency
–
• 1. A lower tariff.
• Robert J. Walker- Secretary of Treasury to
James Polk; devised the Walker Tariff of
1846, a tariff-for-revenue bill that reduced
the rates of the Tariff of 1842 from 32% to
25%.
• 2. The second goal of Polk was to restore
the independent treasury, which the Whigs
dropped in 1841 because the Whigs won
the presidency.
• 3./4. The third and fourth goals of Polk
were the acquisition of California and the
settlement of the Oregon dispute without
violence.
28. Oregon Dispute
• Reoccupation of the whole of
Oregon had changed to a
compromise settling on the 49th
parallel
• The British minister in Washington
spurned this olive branch even
though Britain came up with the
line of 49°
• Polk then threw the decision to the
Senate
• Antislavery groups complained:
“Why all of Texas but not all of
Oregon?”
• Expansionist Sen. Benton of
Missouri’s reply: “Great Britain is
powerful and Mexico is weak”
29. Misunderstandings with
Mexico
• Polk and the U.S. due to Manifest • Mexico had defaulted on most of
Destiny began to covet California its payments
• The population of California in • Mexico also recalled its minister
1845 consisted of Spanish- from Washington after Texas’
Mexicans and Indians annexation
• Polk wanted to buy California • Texas and Mexico also argued
(The Bear Flag Republic) from about boundaries, Mexico
Mexico believing Texas ended at the
Nueces River, but Texas stating it
• relations with Mexico were poor ended at the Rio Grande
due to the annexation of Texas.
• Polk felt a moral obligation to
• U.S. had claims against Mexico defend Texas
for $3 million in damages to
American citizens and their
property
30. California on my mind
• Ill-founded rumors of Britain
wanting to buy or seize
California became a thorn in the
side of the Monroe Doctrine
• Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico
City in 1845 to buy California for
$25 million
• the offer was rejected.
• The proud Mexican people
would not even allow Slidwell to
present his “insulting”
proposition
31. American Blood on
American Soil
• On January 13, 1846, Polk ordered 4,000 men
under General Zachary Taylor to the Rio Grande.
• On May 9, 1846, Polk asked Congress to declare
war on Mexico of the basis of unpaid claims and
Slidell's rejection of the purchasing of California
• 2 cabinet members stated they would feel better if
Mexico opened fire first
• As fate would have it- on April 23rd, 1846- Mexican
troops crossed the Rio Grande and attacked
General Taylor’s command with 16 being killed or
wounded
32. This means war!
• Polk sent a war message to
Congress declaring despite “all
our efforts” to avoid a clash-
hostilities erupted and the
shedding of “American blood
upon the American soil” must be
avenged
• A patriotic Congress declared war
• Volunteers yelled: “Ho for the
halls of the Montezumas” and
“Mexico or death!”
• Whigs even joined in, however
turned against it calling it “Jimmy
Polk’s war”
33. Spot Resolutions
• Polk felt justified in bending • Spot resolutions– [1846]
the truth if it pushed a Measures introduced by
reluctant public into war Illinois congressman
Abraham
• Polk neglected to mention Lincoln, questioning
that the spilled American President James K. Polk’s
blood had been on soil that justification for war with
Mexico had good reason to Mexico. Lincoln requested
believe was theirs that Polk clarify precisely
where Mexican forces had
• Whig attacked American troops
Congressmen, Abraham
Lincoln from Illinois • “spotty Lincoln” and his
introduced resolutions that antislavery supporters, many
requested information as to Whigs, branded the
the precise “spot” where president a liar- “Polk the
blood was shed. Mendacious”
34. The Truth of the matter
• Did Polk provoke war?
• California was imperative to Polk’s program
• Mexico would not sell it at any price
• Only options: force or wait for internal American revolt
• Grievances against Mexico were tolerable
• America endured worse, but in 1846 patience was thin
• Polk pushed the quarrel into a bloody showdown
• Both sides were spoiling for a fight
• Expansionists and South wanted to teach Mexico a lesson
• Mexicans wanted to humiliate “the bullies of the North”
• Boasted of invading U.S., freeing the black slaves and
lassoing whole regiments of Americans
• Hoped to get British involved due to the Oregon disputes
• Both sides viewed each other as the aggressor
35. The Mastering of Mexico
Generals in Mexican-American
War:
General Stephen W. Kearny- led
1,700 troops to Santa Fe.
General Zachary
Taylor- won many victories
including a great victory over a
large Mexican force at Buena
Vista ; future President
General Winfield Scott-
succeeded in battling his way up
to Mexico City by September
1847; 1st choice of President
Abraham Lincoln to lead the
Union army in the Civil War.
36. Let the games begin:
• Polk wanted California, not war. But when
the war came, he hoped that America could
pull out with California.
• The dethroned Mexican dictator Santa
Anna, then exiled with his teenage Bride in
Cuba stated if the American blockade
squadron let him into Mexico he would sell
out his country
• Polk agreed, however Santa Anna double-
crossed America and rallied his countrymen
to a desperate defense of their soil
38. Battle of Buena Vista
• Battle of Buena Vista [1846] Key American
victory against Mexican forces in the Mexican-
American War. Elevated Gen. Zachary Taylor to
national prominence and helped secure his
success in the 1848 presidential election
• Taylor’s force was weakened [5,000 men] however
he repulsed Santa Anna’s 20,000 march-weary
troops.
39. Fighting Mexico for
Peace
• Polk was anxious to end the war as soon as he could secure
his territorial goals
• He sent the chief clerk of the State Dept., Nicholas P.
Trist, along with Gen. Scott’s invading army.
• Trist and Scott arranged an armistice with Santa Anna at a cost
of $10,000.
• Santa Anna pocketed the money and used the time to bolster
his defenses
• A disgusted Polk recalled Trist
• Trist replied with a 65 page letter explaining why he was not
coming home infuriating Polk more
40. Treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo
• Trist signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on
February 2, 1848
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo- ended the war with
Mexico. Mexico agreed to cede territory reaching
north-west from Texas to Oregon in exchange for
$18.25 million in cash and assumed debts
• Included California; Treaty approved by Senate 38 to 14
• Southerners realized that the South would do well not to
want all of Mexico because Mexico was anti-slavery.
• The treaty was opposed by those who wanted all of
Mexico and those who wanted none of it.
41. Profit and Loss in Mexico
• The Mexican War provided field experience for the
officers destined to become generals in the Civil War,
• Captain Robert E. Lee
• Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant.
• The Mexican War brought about the conflict of slavery
between the states.
• David Wilmot- proposed the amendment that stated that
the territory from Mexico should remain slave-free.
• This Wilmot Amendment never passed the Senate
because the Southern members did not want to be
robbed of possible slave states to arise in the future from
the land gain in the Treaty of Guadalupe.
42. Wilmot Proviso
• Wilmot Proviso [1846]- Amendment that sought to prohibit
slavery from territories acquired from Mexico, introduced by
Pennsylvania congressman David Wilmot, the failed
amendment ratcheted up tensions between North and South
over the issue of slavery.
• The opening shots of the Mexican War were the opening shots of
the Civil War
• President Polk left the nation the splendid physical heritage of
California and the Southwest, but also the ugly moral heritage of
the slavery dispute
• Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Mexico will poison us”
• John C. Calhoun- “Mexico is to us the forbidden fruit… the penalty
of eating it would be to subject our institutions to political death”
• Mexico would later take satisfaction in knowing their territory
would be a venomous apple of discord called Santa Anna’s
revenge
43. A mandate for Manifest destiny
Cartoon lampoons proslavery Democratic presidential candidate Lewis
Cass as a veritable war machine, bent on the conquest of territory
ranging from New Mexico to Cuba and even Peru
