Chapter 17 ~ Manifest Destiny & It’s Legacy

““Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny””““Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny””

First coined by newspaper editor, John O’Sullivan in 1845. First coined by newspaper editor, John O’Sullivan in 1845.

".... the right of our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federaltive development of self-government entrusted to us. It is right such as that of the tree to the space of air and the earth suitable for the full expansion of its principle and destiny of growth."

".... the right of our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federaltive development of self-government entrusted to us. It is right such as that of the tree to the space of air and the earth suitable for the full expansion of its principle and destiny of growth."

A myth of the West as a land of romance and adventure emerged.

A myth of the West as a land of romance and adventure emerged.

I. Territorial expansion dominated American diplomacy and politics in the 1840s.

A.With Harrison’s presidency the Whig leaders Webster and Clay felt they

could control the presidency.

1.Harrison died 4 weeks after taking office ~ pneumonia.

2.John Tyler become president. He was a democrat at heart and vetoed many Whig plans like the Bank.

B.Whigs tried to bring nationalist changes.

1.Financial reform ~ Fiscal Bank was vetoed by Tyler.2.Tyler signed a protective tariff in 1842.

C. During the 19th Century, there was much hatred of Britain.  This sparked the “Third War with England.”

1.Fought on paper. (war of words in magazines)

2. When a small rebellion broke out in Canada against Britain the U.S. gave arms and supplies.

3.In 1837, the British burned the U.S. steamer Caroline in New York.

4. Britain also harbored VA slaves who rebelled and captured the ship Creole in 1841.

Aroostook “War,” 1839Aroostook “War,” 1839Aroostook “War,” 1839Aroostook “War,” 1839 The only war ever declared by a state.

Between the Canadian region of New Brunswick and the state of Maine.

Cause: The expulsion of Canadian lumberjacks in the disputed area of Aroostook by Maine officials.

Congress called up 50,000 men and voted for $10,000,000 to pay for the “war.”

General Winfield Scott arranged a truce, and a border commission was convened to resolve the issue.

The only war ever declared by a state.

Between the Canadian region of New Brunswick and the state of Maine.

Cause: The expulsion of Canadian lumberjacks in the disputed area of Aroostook by Maine officials.

Congress called up 50,000 men and voted for $10,000,000 to pay for the “war.”

General Winfield Scott arranged a truce, and a border commission was convened to resolve the issue.

D. 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 also claimed by Maine. 

1.The British sent Lord Ashburton to Washington to settle the dispute. 

2. He and Daniel Webster negotiated and gave the Americans 7,000mi of the 12,000mi of land in dispute.

E. 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.

1.Mexico threatened war if the America protected Texas.

Key Figures in Texas Independence,Key Figures in Texas Independence, 18361836

Key Figures in Texas Independence,Key Figures in Texas Independence, 18361836

Sam Houston(1793-1863)

Sam Houston(1793-1863)

Steven Austin(1793-1836)

Steven Austin(1793-1836)

2. Texas made treaties with France, Holland, and Belgium.

3. Britain wanted to have relations with Texas because Britain could try to make Texas tear America apart.  (Independent ally)

F. The Belated Texas Nuptials ~ Texas became a leading issue in the presidential campaign of 1844. 

1.The Democrats were pro-expansion and were for annexing Texas.

2. President Tyler signed a resolution in 1845 that invited Texas to become the 28th state in America.

G. Oregon Fever Populates Oregon ~ Four nations claimed Oregon Country at one time: Spain, Russia, Britain, and the United States. 

1.Spain dropped out of America with the Florida Treaty of 1819 and Russia

dropped out with the treaties of 1824 and 1825.

The Oregon Dispute: The Oregon Dispute: 54’ 40º or Fight!54’ 40º or Fight!The Oregon Dispute: The Oregon Dispute: 54’ 40º or Fight!54’ 40º or Fight!

By the mid-1840s,“Oregon Fever” wasspurred on by thepromise of free land.

By the mid-1840s,“Oregon Fever” wasspurred on by thepromise of free land.

The joint British-U. S.occupation ended in1846.

The joint British-U. S.occupation ended in1846.

2. Britain controlled the portion north of the Columbia River.  By 1846, about 5,000 Americans settled south of the Columbia River.

3. Oregon Trail was a common route to Oregon in the 1840s (over 2000 mi long)

Overland Immigration to the WestOverland Immigration to the WestOverland Immigration to the WestOverland Immigration to the West

Between 1840 and 1860, more than250,000 people made the trekwestward.

Between 1840 and 1860, more than250,000 people made the trekwestward.

Trails WestwardTrails WestwardTrails WestwardTrails Westward

The Doomed Donner PartyThe Doomed Donner PartyThe Doomed Donner PartyThe Doomed Donner Party

April, 1846 – April, 1847April, 1846 – April, 1847

The Doomed Donner PartyThe Doomed Donner PartyThe Doomed Donner PartyThe Doomed Donner Party

James Reed & WifeJames Reed & Wife

Margaret Patrick John Breen Breen Breen Margaret Patrick John Breen Breen Breen

Of the 83 members of the Donner Party, only 45 survived to get to California!

Of the 83 members of the Donner Party, only 45 survived to get to California!

CANNIBALISM ! ! CANNIBALISM ! !

II. A Mandate for Manifest Destiny ~ In the election of 1844, the Whig party chose Henry Clay, and the Democrats chose James K. Polk.

Polk Clay

A.James K. Polk was the Speaker of the House of Representatives for four years and governor of Tennessee for two terms. He beat Henry Clay to win the election of 1844;

1.“Young Hickory”; said he would protect Texas; he avoided the issue of slavery.

2. In the 1840s and 1850s, many Americans felt that God had “manifestly” destined the American people to spread their democratic institutions over the entire continent and over South America as well.

3. Democrats strongly supported the idea of Manifest Destiny.

B. Polk had four main goals for his presidency –

1. A lower tariff.  ~ the Walker Tariff of 1846, a reduced the rates 1842 from 32% to 25% (ad valorem ~ according to value)

2. Restore the independent treasury, which the Whigs dropped in 1841 because the Whigs won the presidency.

3. The acquisition of California.

4. Settlement of the Oregon Territory. A compromise divided the terr. at the 49’ par.

C. The population of California in 1845

consisted of Spanish-Mexicans

and Indians. 

1.Polk wanted to buy California (The Bear Flag Republic) from Mexico but relations with Mexico were poor due to the annexation of Texas.

The Bear Flag RepublicThe Bear Flag RepublicThe Bear Flag RepublicThe Bear Flag Republic

John C. FrémontJohn C. Frémont

The Revolt June 14, 1845

The Revolt June 14, 1845

2. John Slidell- due to rumors of Britain preparing to buy California, was sent to Mexico City in 1845 by Polk to buy California for $25 million-the offer was rejected.

The Slidell Mission: The Slidell Mission: Nov., 1845Nov., 1845The Slidell Mission: The Slidell Mission: Nov., 1845Nov., 1845

Mexican recognition of the Rio Grande River as the TX-US border.

US would forgive American citizens’claims against the Mexican govt.

US would purchase the New Mexicoarea for $5,000,000.

US would California at any price.

Mexican recognition of the Rio Grande River as the TX-US border.

US would forgive American citizens’claims against the Mexican govt.

US would purchase the New Mexicoarea for $5,000,000.

US would California at any price.

John SlidellJohn Slidell

D. American Blood on American Soil ~ On January 13, 1846, Polk ordered 4,000 men under General Zachary Taylor to the Rio Grande. 

1.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. Rather, Mexican troops attacked American troops that night and war was declared.

E. The Mastering of Mexico ~ Polk wanted California, not war.  But when the war came, he hoped that America could pull out with California.

The Mexican War The Mexican War (1846-1848)(1846-1848)The Mexican War The Mexican War (1846-1848)(1846-1848)

1.Generals in Mexican-American War:

a. General Stephen W. Kearny- led 1,700 troops to Santa Fe.

b. General Zachary Taylor- won many victories including a great victory over a large Mexican force at Buena Vista ; future President

General Zachary Taylor at Palo AltoGeneral Zachary Taylor at Palo AltoGeneral Zachary Taylor at Palo AltoGeneral Zachary Taylor at Palo Alto

“Old Rough and Ready”“Old Rough and Ready”

c. 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.

General Scott Enters Mexico CityGeneral Scott Enters Mexico CityGeneral Scott Enters Mexico CityGeneral Scott Enters Mexico City

“Old Fuss and Feathers”“Old Fuss and Feathers”

F. Fighting Mexico for Peace ~ Nicholas P. Trist- chief clear of the State Department; signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on February 2, 1848.

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848

Nicholas Trist,American Negotiator

Nicholas Trist,American Negotiator

1.The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo a. gave to America all territory from Mexico

to California north of Rio Grande (Mexican Cession) b. Paid Mexico $15 million. 

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848

Mexico gave up claims to Texas above the Rio Grande River.

Mexico gave the U. S. California and New Mexico.

U. S. gave Mexico $15,000,000 and agreed to pay the claims of American citizens against Mexico(over $3,500,000).

Mexico gave up claims to Texas above the Rio Grande River.

Mexico gave the U. S. California and New Mexico.

U. S. gave Mexico $15,000,000 and agreed to pay the claims of American citizens against Mexico(over $3,500,000).

The Treaty was basically forced on Mexico!

2. The Mexican War provided field experience for the officers destined to become generals in the Civil War, including Captain Robert E. Lee and Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant.

3. The Mexican War brought about the conflict of slavery between the states. 

4.Wilmot Priviso ~ David Wilmot- proposed the amendment that stated that the territory from Mexico should remain slave-free.  Never passed.

Wilmot Proviso, 1846Wilmot Proviso, 1846Wilmot Proviso, 1846Wilmot Proviso, 1846

Provided, territory from that, as an express and fundamental condition to the acquisition of any the Republic of Mexico by the United States, by virtue of any treaty which may be negotiated between them, and to the use by the Executive of the moneys herein appropriated, neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory, except for crime, whereof the party shall first be duly convicted.

Provided, territory from that, as an express and fundamental condition to the acquisition of any the Republic of Mexico by the United States, by virtue of any treaty which may be negotiated between them, and to the use by the Executive of the moneys herein appropriated, neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory, except for crime, whereof the party shall first be duly convicted.

Congr. David Wilmot(D-PA)

Congr. David Wilmot(D-PA)

Results of the Mexican War?Results of the Mexican War?Results of the Mexican War?Results of the Mexican War?1. The 17-month war cost $100,000,000 and 13,000+

American lives (mostly of disease).

2. New territories were brought into the Union which forced the explosive issue of SLAVERY to the center of national politics. * Brought in 1 million sq. mi. of land (incl. TX)

3. These new territories would upset the balance of power between North and South.

4. Created two popular Whig generals who ran for President.

5. Manifest Destiny partially realized.

1. The 17-month war cost $100,000,000 and 13,000+American lives (mostly of disease).

2. New territories were brought into the Union which forced the explosive issue of SLAVERY to the center of national politics. * Brought in 1 million sq. mi. of land (incl. TX)

3. These new territories would upset the balance of power between North and South.

4. Created two popular Whig generals who ran for President.

5. Manifest Destiny partially realized.

The 1848 Presidential Election ResultsThe 1848 Presidential Election ResultsThe 1848 Presidential Election ResultsThe 1848 Presidential Election Results

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The Mexican CessionThe Mexican CessionThe Mexican CessionThe Mexican Cession

GOLD!GOLD! At Sutter’s Mill, 1848 At Sutter’s Mill, 1848GOLD!GOLD! At Sutter’s Mill, 1848 At Sutter’s Mill, 1848

John A. Sutter John A. Sutter

California Gold Rush, 1849California Gold Rush, 1849California Gold Rush, 1849California Gold Rush, 1849

49er’s49er’s

Two Views of San Francisco, Early 1850sTwo Views of San Francisco, Early 1850sTwo Views of San Francisco, Early 1850sTwo Views of San Francisco, Early 1850s

By 1860, almost 300,000people had traveled theOregon & CaliforniaTrails to the Pacificcoast.

By 1860, almost 300,000people had traveled theOregon & CaliforniaTrails to the Pacificcoast.

Territorial Growth to 1853Territorial Growth to 1853Territorial Growth to 1853Territorial Growth to 1853

Westward the Course of EmpireWestward the Course of Empire

Emmanuel Leutze, 1860Emmanuel Leutze, 1860

Westward the Course of EmpireWestward the Course of Empire

Emmanuel Leutze, 1860Emmanuel Leutze, 1860

Expansionist Young America in the Expansionist Young America in the 1850s1850s

Expansionist Young America in the Expansionist Young America in the 1850s1850s

America’s Attempted Raids into Latin America

America’s Attempted Raids into Latin America