Manifest Destiny

1
Manifest Destiny

• Chapter 17

2
The Accession of Tyler too

• 1840s expansionism issue dominated politics
• Oregon territory, annexation of Texas and war
  with Mexico dominated the limelight
• 1840 William Henry Harrison was elected but
  died of pneumonia after only 4 weeks in office

3
John Tyler A President Without a Party

• Whig platform pro-bank, pro-tariff, and
  pro-internal improvements
• Tylers platform was the opposite
• Democrat at heart but against Jacksons policies
• Tyler vetoes bank bill and tariff bill

4
Problems with Britain

• British were snobs when it came to America
• War of words between America and British
  publications
• Rebellion in Canada Americans give rebels
  weapons
• Carolina Incident
• 1841 Britain offered asylum in the Bahamas to 139
  Virginia slaves who had rebelled and captured a
  ship to escape
• Maine boundary disputes

5
Problems with Mexico

• Mexico considered Texas a territory in revolt
• Mexico threatened war if US took Texas under
  their protective wing
• European powers hoped to use Texas to divide and
  conquer edge their way back into the western
  hemisphere
• 1845 Texas officially becomes the 28th state

6
Oregon Fever

• Americans and British both claim Oregon
• British claim Columbia River Americans claim up
  to the 49th parallel
• American missionaries settling in the Willamette
  River Valley strengthen American claims
• By 1846 Oregon Fever 5000 settlers in Oregon
  to farm
• After much debate British offer Oregon at the
  49th

7
War with Mexico

• Polk wins presidency in 1844 committed to
  expansion
• Growing idea in America Manifest Destiny
• America show extend from sea to shining sea
• Polk wants California but after the annexation of
  Texas Mexico recalled ambassador from Washington

8
Border Disputes with Mexico

• Texas border had always been the Nueces River but
  Texans were claiming a more southern border Rio
  Grande
• Polk sends John Slidell to Mexico City to
  negotiate the purchase of California
• Mexican government will not receive Slidell
• Polk forces a show down sends 4000 troops into
  the disputed area between the Nueces and Rio
  Grande.

9
Declaring War

• Finally after much anticipation the Mexican
  troops fire on America troops
• Americans are victorious in all battles Santa
  Fe, California, Buena Vista, Vera Cruz march on
  to Mexico City
• Mexico signs Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
  America receives all land stretching from Texas
  to California and Oregon

10
War with Mexico
Profits Loss
Obtained a vast amount of land 13,000 lives lost
Priceless field experience for the military Strained relations with Latin America nations
opposing armies emerged with increasing respect Slavery issue revived
11
Slavery Issue

• Northerners feared slavery would expand into the
  territories
• Wilmont Proviso proposed that slavery would be
  outlawed in all territory obtained from Mexican
  American War.
• Defeated in the Senate