Day 56: Manifest Destiny and Its Legacy

1. Day 56: Manifest Destiny and Its Legacy Baltimore Polytechnic Institute November 22, 2010 A.P. U.S. History Mr. Green

2. Rise of a Mass Democracy Objectives: explain the spirit and meaning of the Manifest Destiny that inspired American expansionism in the 1840s. Outline the major conflicts between Britain and the United States over debts, Maine, Canada, Texas, Oregon, and growing British hostility to slavery. Explain why the U.S. government increasingly saw the independent Texas Republic as a threat and sought to pursue annexation AP Focus A member of the Democratic Party, John Tyler, becomes the Whig’s vice-presidential candidate in 1840. When President William Henry Harrison dies just one month into his term, Tyler, much to the distress of Whig party loyalists, such as Henry Clay, is elevated to the presidency. Manifest Destiny, the belief that the United States is divinely inspired to spread across the continent, becomes the rationale for widespread territorial expansion. Critics repudiate it as nothing short of unbridled imperialism.

3. Chapter Focus Chapter Themes American expansionism gained momentum in the 1840s, leading first to the acquisition of Texas and Oregon, and then to the Mexican War, which added vast southwestern territories to the United States and ignited the slavery question American international prestige grows as the United States expands. Successful military campaigns against Mexico along with well-negotiated treaties with Britain force Europe to respect America more, while Latin America begins to be wary of the Colossus of the North.

4. Announcements Mexican War Chart Election Charts 1844 & 1848 Decades Chart 1840’s

5. Polk the Purposeful James K. Polk-The 4 point program 1. Lower tariffs-Walker Tariff 2. Restore the independent treasury 3. Acquisition of California 4. Settlement of the Oregon dispute Did not follow the 54 forty or fight “Great Britain is powerful and Mexico is weak” Senator Benton, MO

6. Misunderstandings with Mexico California in 1845 13,000 Spanish Mexicans 75,000 Native Americans <1,000 foreigners (Americans) Polk wanted to buy California from Mexico Once the U.S. acquired Texas, Mexico ended diplomatic relations Dispute over the southern boundary, the Rio Grande or Nueces River Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico to offer 25 million for California, but was not received Rumor was Britain was about to acquire California

7. American Blood on American (?) Soil Polk dispatched General Zachary Taylor to march from the Nueces River to the Rio Grande-provocatively near Mexican forces No clash started by May 9, 1846 and he wanted to declare war on 2 grounds: 1. unpaid claims 2. Slidell’s rejection April 25, 1846-Mexico kills/wounds 16 Americans Congressman Lincoln wanted to know the spot on American soil where American blood had been shed.

8. Cont’d Did Polk provoke war? California important Keep away from Britain Grievances against Mexico Teach Mexico a lesson Mexico wanted to humiliate the bullies to the North

9. Mastering of Mexico Exiled Santa Anna tricked the U.S. into allowing him to slip into Mexico. Southwest and California operations a complete success General Stephen W. Kearny-Santa Fe Trail Captain John C. Fremont-overthrew Mexican rule in California with help from local Americans-California Bear Flag Republic Buena Vista turning point for Taylor the U.S. Feb. 22-23, 1847 General Winfield Scott battled to Mexico City by September 1847

10. Fighting Mexico for Peace Nicholas P. Trist-Chief clerk at the State Department negotiated the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Confirmed American title to Texas and yielded the area westward to Oregon U.S. paid 15 million for the land Claims of its citizens against Mexico ($3,250,00) Why did the U.S. offer to pay an indemnity to Mexico, especially after it had been forced on them?

11. Profit and Loss in Mexico 13,000 American lives, most to disease U.S. size increased by a third Trained Civil War military leaders: 1. Captain Robert E. Lee 2. Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant Justified the academies at West Point and Annapolis Slavery Wilmot Proviso-amendment to ban slavery in any land acquired from Mexico Never became Federal law, but endorsed by all but 1 of the free states

12. Homework • Begin reading Chapter 18 • 5 Question reading check at the beginning of class on Tuesday • Work on Charts.