Manifest Destiny and Sectional Divide

1. Manifest Destiny and Sectional Divide Chapter 13 What factors led to the emergence of Manifest Destiny in the 1840’s, and how would Manifest Destiny contribute to the sectional debate?

2. 1840s = Territorial Expansion • Manifest Destiny – belief that America was destined to expand from coast to coast, occupying entire continent • 4 points of territorial interest • Maine • Oregon Country • Texas • California

3. “Tippecanoe and Tyler, Too!” • 1840 Presidential election – ascension of the Whig party under William Henry Harrison • John Tyler – VP • Daniel Webster – secretary of State • Henry Clay (head of the Whig party) – spokesman of Senate • Harrison dies 4 weeks into office • Tyler (former Jacksonian democrat) assumed Presidency – known as a “Democrat in Whig’s clothing” • Opposed Whig platform of being pro-bank, protective tariff, and internal improvements

4. Tyler-a President without a Party • Whigs revealed nationalistic party platform after election victory (engineered by Clay) • Passed bill ending independent treasury of Van Buren’s 1840 bill hoping to create new BUS • BUS vetoed by Tyler!!!– Whig Party Members ?!?! • Entire cabinet resigned except for Webster • Tyler vetoed initial bill for protective tariff, but passed bill with lower rate realizing politics of situation

5. War of Words with Britain • Deep rooted resentment caused by 2 Anglo-American Wars, death of Federalist Party, ascension to Jacksonian Democrats • Panic of 1837 signaled economic paralysis to relationship as Britain creditors forced to collect from Yankee borrowers • Problem w/ Canada - insurrection led to American support for Canadians • Caroline Incident – American ship supplying insurrection attacked by British ship • Creole ship overtaken by Virginian slaves and promised freedom in British Caribbean (British previously abolished slavery)

6. Maine • Aroostook War (1840’s) – lumberjacks from both Maine and Canada claimed section of land situated upon St. Lawrence River • Ashburton-Webster Treaty – split difference on Maine’s territory and permanently fixed Maine’s boundary • British secured Halifax-Quebec road • U.S. gained territory in Minnesota – Mesabi mountain range provided iron ore

7. Texas • Texas remained an independent republic since 1836 until 1845 • Mexico threatened war if Texas became a state • Texas secured treaties with France, Holland, and Belgium as protective alliance • France and England especially interested for political advantage – foothold for abolitionism, tariff free trade, and cotton supplier

8. Texas and the Presidential Election of 1844 • Texas became leading issue • Pro-expansionist and Democratic candidate James Polk elected to office with “mandate to acquire Texas” over Whig Clay • “Conscience Whigs” – feared the annexation of Texas to perpetuate growth of slavery • “Lame duck” president Tyler annexed Texas in last days via joint resolution – bypassed treaty

9. “Oregon Fever” • Oregon Country – extended from Northern California to Alaska border - 54°40’ line • Oregon Territory – jointly occupied by England and US (Oregon Treaty of 1818) • Oregon Fever (1840’s) – American pioneers traveled Oregon trail and settled the frontier lands • Question of the future and border to be decided by 1844 election

10. Mandate for Manifest Destiny • James Polk (“The Expansionist”) – first “dark horse” candidate elected in presidential campaign • Election of 1844 centered upon Manifest destiny and expansionism – spread of democracy and empire • Liberty Party* funneled much needed votes away from Clay, ensuring Polk victory • Democrats interpreted victory as mandate from the people to expand and realize manifest destiny

11. Polk Administration • Polk’s objectives: • Tariff: Walker Tariff of 1846 – lowered tariff and boosted revenue • Independent Treasury: restored in 1846 against Whig opposition • California and Oregon Territory • Oregon border fixed at 49th parallel thru 1846 Treaty despite democratic yell for “54°40’ or fight” • California – Polk eager to buy from Mexico, but diplomatic relation severed with annexation of Texas • Border dispute – Nueces or Rio Grande? • Rejection of John Slidell and offer to buy CA for $25 mil

12. War with Mexico • Polk ordered US troops to march to Rio Grande River under command of General Zachary Taylor to meet eminent Mexican threat • American casualties led to Polk asking for declaration of war • Issue – American or Mexican soil? • Whig Congressman Abraham Lincoln’s “spot resolutions” – called for exact spot of hostilities to determine justification for war • War seen as necessary to carry out mandate and to secure future of California

13. Mexican-American War (1846-1848) • Return of Santa Anna to power – double crossed Polk and promised to sell CA • Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott provided victorious American campaign in Mexico • Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) – penned by Nicholas Trist, concluded war • Texas recognized as American state • Territory from Texas to Oregon territory ceded to US – including CA (Mexican Cession) – larger than LA Purchase • US to pay $15 mil

14. Impact of War • Sharp increase in pursuit of Manifest Destiny • Fighting provided experience for Civil War • Justification for the armed forces • War provided additional fuel to slavery and sectional debate • Defeat of Wilmot Proviso- called for banning slavery from Mexican Cession • Mexican War and desire for land foreshadowed Civil War

15. Sectional Struggle (1848-1854) What events led to revival of sectionalism in American politics in the 1850’s?

16. **Popular Sovereignty • Slavery presented a threat that would lead to purely sectional political parties and certain civil war • For 1848 election, Democrats nominated War of 1812 hero General Lewis Cass (Polk refused 2nd term due to “chronic diarrhea”) • Although Democrats sought to remain silent on slavery issue, Cass adopted belief of Popular Sovereignty- the independent people of a given territory have the democratic right to chose status of state as either free or slave • Theory of Popular Sovereignty- appealed to people and politicians alike, tossed slavery issue into their hands and out of politician’s realm; But- possibility for extension of slavery was fundamental flaw of theory

17. The Whigs and Zachary Taylor • War hero Zachary Taylor nominated by Whigs who also avoided slavery issue (Taylor himself wealthy plantation owner and slave owner) • Anti-slaveryites organized Free Soil political party to address slavery question • Heavy support from “conscience Whigs” • Nominated ex-President Martin Van Buren • Taylor won election of 1848

18. California Gold Rush • 1848-49 marched in the gold rush in Northern CA (San Francisco 49ers- NFL) • Lawlessness accompanied pioneers into CA • 1849 CA Constitution- excluded slavery and sought admission to the union

19. Sectionalism: Southern Perspective • The Southern advantage: • Boasted of Presidential administrations, from GW to Taylor • Held majority in Cabinet and Supreme Court (CJ Roger Taney) • Equal Representation in Senate • King Cotton reaching climax • The Southern Disadvantage: • Admission of CA destroy sectional balance • Mexican Cession being shaped by non-slave owning voices • Abolition seemed eminent in D.C. • Loss of Runaway slaves – Harriet Tubman and the underground RR • Demand for stricter fugitive slave law

20. Senatorial Leadership: Clay, Calhoun, and Webster • Admission of CA encouraged “fire eaters” to threaten secession • Clay (KY)- proposed N to compromise on CA admission and to grant fugitive slave law in order to preserve union • Calhoun (SC)- advocated a laissez-faire approach to slavery, stricter fugitive slave law, and restore sectional balance • Webster (MA)- urged stricter fugitive slave law with teeth and the preservation of union • 7th of March Speech- appealed to N to make compromise and union possible

21. Congressional Debate of 1850 • Young Guard Congressmen- unionism not first priority • William Seward (NY)- strong anti-slaveryite and non-concessionist; adhered to principle of “higher law”- God’s law superseded Constitution • President Taylor vowed to veto any Compromise- threatened union • Death of President Taylor and succession of Millar Fillmore to office made Compromise possible • Compromise ushered in 2nd “Era of Good Feelings”- peace before the storm

22. **Compromise of 1850 • Henry Clay- Once again, the “Great Compromiser” • CA admitted as free state- permanently tipped sectional balance in favor of the North • Popular Sovereignty- opened to territories of New Mexico and Utah • Texas paid $10 mil for disputed territory • Slave trade prohibited in D.C. • South received Fugitive Slave Law of 1850- “Bloodhound Bill” • North responded by passing “personal liberty laws”- denied jails and federal officials ability to enforce terms of fugitive slave law • 1850’s strengthened union and abolitionist causes • Compromise clearly benefited North- provided moral and political cause to win Civil War

23. Election of 1852 • Whigs nominated 2nd “dark horse” candidate in American history, Franklin Pierce (NH) • Suffered painful groin injury during M-A War- OUCH!!!!! • Considered to be a pro-Southern Northerner • Fully endorsed Compromise of 1850 and future territorial expansion • Whigs nominated war hero General Winfield Scott • Nomination of Scott permanently split Whig Party over Slavery issue • Democrats able to “Polk them in ’44, and Pierce them in ’52”, as Southern Whigs refused to support Scott and voted for Webster

24. Impact of the 1852 Election • Whig party split and near death • End of national political parties and beginning of purely sectional parties • Whig Legacy: • Secured Presidency in ’40 and ’48 • Preserved National unity and unionism due largely to the efforts of Clay and Webster (both died during ’52 election)- Exs? • Fugitive slave law proved to be decisive factor in killing Whig unity

25. Expansionism South of the Border? • Central America- site of potential for future control of Atlantic-Pacific trade routes • Treaty b/w U.S. and New Grenada (Columbia) signed in 1848, guaranteed American transit across isthmus in return for protecting sovereignty of route and neutrality • Treaty provided backbone for TR to acquire land for construction of canal • Clayton-Bulwer Treaty (1850)- stipulated that neither U.S. or England could fortify or seek exclusive control over future trans-isthmian waterway • William Walker- American adventurer who attempted to seize control of Nicaragua with aid of South; hoped to spread slavery

26. Cuba • Polk’s offer to buy island from Spain for $100 mil refused • “Filibustering Expeditions”- southern attempts to seize island by force, but failed • Ostend Manifesto (1854)- Pierce proposed plan to secretly but Cuba for $120 mil, but justified war if offer refused • Plan leaked and Northern Free Soilers quick to publicize plan and crush and hopes of annexing Cuba

27. The Far East • Treaty of Wanghia (1844)- first treaty b/w U.S. and China • Negotiated under Tyler’s administration by Caleb Cushing • Secured “Most favored nation” status as well as “extraterritoriality” for American citizens • Treaty opened up trading and missionary opportunities • 1852- President Millard Fillmore sent Commodore Matthew Perry to forcibly open up Japan to trading

28. The RR and the Gadsden Purchase • Transportation in Mexican Cession emerged as problem following M-A War • Trans-continental RR solution to problem (not proposed camels) • RR construction sure to set off sectional debate- who would build it, and where would it terminate- N or S? • Gadsden Purchase (1853): • James Gadsden negotiated purchase with Santa Anna for small section of land necessary for RR construction for $10 mil • Purchase secured fate of RR to run through south- Texas already a state and New Mexico being organized for admission • Northerner’s responded with please to organize Nebraska territory for admission and RR construction

29. The Gadsden Purchase

30. Douglas and the Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) • Senator Stephen Douglass (Illinois)- known as the “Little Giant” • Determined to organize Nebraska territory to realize construction of RR that would terminate in home city of Chicago • Proposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act: • Nebraska Territory to be divided into 2 territories • Status of slavery to be determined via popular sovereignty • Anticipated Kansas to become slave, and Nebraska to become free • Act required repeal of Missouri Compromise and 36°30’ line

32. Impact • President Pierce fully endorsed Act (seemed to benefit S) but strongly opposed by Free Soilers • Douglass indifferent to slavery, yet act had potential to severe union • Act passed by Congress and ushered in period of sectional intensity and bloodshed • Required repeal of Missouri Compromise and Compromise of 1850 • Act would lead to demise and split within Democratic Party • Act would lead to emergence of Republican Party- represented disgruntled Whigs, Democrats, Free- Soilers, Know-Nothings, and opponenents of k-N Act; although emerged as purely sectional party, contributed to legacy of 2 Party System • Civil War eminent

33. How did the events of the late 1850’s make civil war a reality?

34. Uncle Tom’s Cabin • Uncle Tom’s Cabin published in 1852 • Inspired by Fugitive Slave Law, 2nd Great Awakening, and personal loss of child • Novel extremely popular, and evolved into political tool • “So you’re the little woman who wrote the book that made this great war”- Abraham Lincoln, 1862 • Novel made international impact in drawing attention to evils of slavery • Hinton Helper’s The Impending Crisis of the South- non-aristocrat from N.C. that argued that slavery was hurtful to non-slave owning whites • Both books banned and even burned in South

35. Kansas • Both pro and anti-slavery groups moving into Kansas territory to participate in popular sovereignty • 1855 election for legislative representatives resulted in pro-slavery “border ruffians” from Missouri pouring into Kansas to vote several times over • Shawnee Mission- puppet govt established by pro-slaveryites • Topeka- govt established by free soilers • Tensions resulted in bloodshed at Lawrence- free soil town destroyed by pro-slaveryites

36. “Bleeding Kansas” • John Brown- abolitionist from Ohio who moved into Kansas; sought revenge for recent attack at Lawrence • Led band of followers to Pottawatomie Creek in 1856, where they mutilated 5 pro-slaveryites • Resulted in Civil War within Kansas (1856-65) • 1857- Kansas ready to apply for statehood • Pro slaveryites devised Lecompton Constitution- people to vote on Constitution wither with, or without slavery • Existing slavery allowed to continue, regardless of outcome • 1856 Presidential Election- Democrat James Buchanan won • Supported Lecompton Constitution, whereas Stephen Douglass opposed due to violation of popular sovereignty • Rift b/w Buchanan and Douglass permanently split Democratic party b/w Northern and Southern Democrats-

37. Kansas Territory

38. Senator Charles Sumner from MA beaten with cane by Senator Preston Brooks from SC in 1856 over Kansas issue Brooks resigned, but was re-elected and presented with golden cane Sumner sought medical attention in Europe for damage to nervous system Sumner and “Southern Chivalry” 1856

39. 1856 Election • Democrats nominated James Buchanan- enemy less, but was a bachelor and did have an “eye defect” • Republican Party burst onto scene by nominated explorer/adventurer John Fremont (enemy less) rather than “higher law” Seward • Know-Nothing Party nominated ex-President Millard Fillmore in wake of Irish-German immigration and growth of Nativism • Although Buchanan won election, 2 important results: • Republicans made strong showing • Civil War avoided for 4 more years- need for stronger President (Lincoln would fill shoes)

40. 1856 Election Map

41. Dred Scott • Dred Scott vs. Sanford (1857) • Dred Scott sued owner for freedom after spending years in Northern free soil territory • Chief Justice Roger Taney (MD) ruled in favor of Sanford • Declared slaves to be property, not citizens, therefore without political right to appear in court • Decision in effect declared Missouri Compromise unconstitutional- property allowed anywhere in U.S., therefore Congress had no authority to legislate on slavery • Stephen Douglass upset that ruling contradicted democratic principle of popular sovereignty • Republican party cemented with objective of preventing slavery from spreading into west

42. Causes: CA gold = inflation Grain overproduction Over speculation RR construction Impact: North hit hardest South remained untouched due to “king cotton” Farmers demanded 160 acres of free land (Homestead Act of 1860) Treasury surplus led to reduced tariff Farmer and industrial support for Republican Party Panic of 1857

43. Lincoln Douglas Debates (1858) • Lincoln challenges Douglas to series of debates for 1858 Illinois senatorial seat to increase Republican visibility • Freeport Doctrine- most famous debate where Lincoln prompted Douglas to discuss popular sovereignty vs. Dred Scott decision: which prevails? • Douglas responded that popular sovereignty should always prevail- further split Democratic party • Douglas won seat, but secured Lincoln’s nomination for 1860 presidential election

44. John Brown at Harper’s Ferry, VA (1859) • Objective: seize federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, VA and incite massive slave uprising to create slave sanctuary • Plan failed miserably and John Brown captured • Convicted for treason and murder, and subsequently hanged • Martyrdom: the aftermath of John Brown • Execution of John Brown cemented conviction of free soilers and abolitionists to stop spread of slavery; abolitionist movement took on moral cause as well

45. Democratic Split • 1860 Democratic Presidential nomination convention split b/w N & S • Democrats nominated 2 presidential candidates securing Republican victory • Northern Democrats nominated Douglas • Southern Democrats nominated John Breckinridge • Constitutional Union Party- nominated John Bell- sought to preserve union and constitution

46. 1860 Presidential Election • Republican candidate able to establish platform that appealed to all non-southern groups: • Non-extension of slavery for free soilers • Protective tariff for NE manufacturers • Pacific RR for NW • Internal improvements • Free homesteads for farmers • Election results: • Lincoln won despite being minority President (40% of popular vote, absent from polls tickets in 10 S states) • Although Lincoln won, S still held political advantage in Supreme Court and Congress • Was there a need for secession?

47. 1860 Electoral College

48. The South and Secession • The symbolism of Lincoln’s win: no possibility for compromise or co-existence • South’s goal: create independent nation where slavery could exist peacefully?!?! • Following election of Lincoln, SC led charge seceding from union, followed by 6 other states (11 in total) • Southern states created Confederate States of America, named Jefferson Davis as President, and based the capital out of Richmond, VA • Buchanan and Lincoln powerless during “lame duck period”**- pursued “wait and see” policy

49. Compromise and Disunion • Crittenden Compromise/Amendments- designed to appease South by prohibiting slavery north of the 36°30’ line, but fed govt to preserve and protect slavery south of line, even with further acquisitions (Cuba??) • Future states would use popular sovereignty to decide • Compromise flatly rejected by free soiler Lincoln • Reasons for Southern Secession: • Political balance tipped against them (majority free states) • Triumph of Republican party was threat to future of slavery • Wanted to separate themselves from Northern Abolitionism • Did not anticipate war due to importance of cotton • Viewed themselves as culturally distinct from North • Justified by principles of Declaration