Whig Party leadership issues under Harrison

1. Whig Party leadership issues under Harrison “Real leaders” of the Whig party = Clay, and Webster Harrison = “figurehead” to them Clay rebuked by Harrison for his presumption “Accidental” president Tyler was at odds with Whig ideas on every point: pro-bank, pro-tariff and pro-internal improvements

2. Tariff of 1842 Lower rates: pushed down to moderately protective level Whigs’ 2nd attempt at passing a revenue tariff Tyler signed it into law despite intense dislike of tariffs Helped edge country out of depression

3. Animosity: US v GB Caroline: 1837 American steamer carrying supplies to Canadian insurgents across Niagara River attacked by British, which Americans considered illegal invasion of US soil False, lurid accounts of horror followed about its sinking

4. Animosity: US v GB Creole, 1841 British officials in the Bahamas offered asylum to Virginia slaves who had rebelled and captured American ship Creole British had abolished slavery Southern fear: British would offer safe haven to runaway slaves in Caribbean

5. Animosity: US v GB Aroostook War, 1842 = Maine lumberjack clash over forest land/border Diplomat Lord Ashburton (with American wife) negotiated with Secretary of State, Daniel Webster Split-the-difference agreement settles the Maine boundary

6. Texas Political plight of Texas and Britain Needed protection from Mexico’s military assaults for re-conquest since Mexico threatened US with war if they annexed TX Negotiations/treaties with Great Britain, France, Holland and Belgium

7. Texas: Britain’s interest Check southward expansion of US Could be used as a puppet state to distract US while Europeans defied Monroe Doctrine in Latin America Could challenge slavery in US South by freeing blacks in Texas Texan cotton could supply British looms

8. Texas: 1844 election Fear of British schemes made Texas main issue in presidential election—it was becoming a dangerous hotbed of international intrigue Tyler realized futility of gaining 2/3 vote in the Senate for Texan annexation, and so… …arranged to annex TX through joint resolution, requiring only simple majority (50.1%)

9. Oregon Oregon Territory’s northern border: 54 degrees 40’ British claims: Hudson Bay Company American claims: 1792 Robert Gray exploration and Lewis and Clark expedition US claim strengthened by (1) missionary work; (2) “Oregon fever” of 1840s via Oregon Trail US border offer: 49th parallel refused by GB, who nurtured a right to Columbia River, finally accepted

10. 1844 Campaign and Manifest Destiny James K. Polk—Jacksonian Democrat from TN = “dark horse” (surprise) candidate Campaign = expression of emotional upsurge known as Manifest Destiny…that… ...“God obviously destined the American people for control of the entire western hemisphere and over continent of North America, possibly South America, as well”

11. 1844 Campaign and Manifest Destiny Analyze political, social, and economic implications of Manifest Destiny: Political Social Economic

12. 1844 Campaign and Manifest Destiny Even though he was immensely popular, Henry Clay did not win this election because he chose to “ride two horses” trying to please both South (he “favored annexing Texas”) and North (he “favored postponing Texan annexation”)

13. 1844 Campaign and Manifest Destiny Even then, Clay would have won IF he had won the state of New York, but… The tiny antislavery, anti-Texas LIBERTY PARTY took16,000 votes which he would otherwise have had.

14. 1844 Campaign and Manifest Destiny “Fifty-four forty or fight” Effective slogan—coined after 1844 campaign—but symbolic of Democratic Manifest Destiny mood Northern Democrats and NW states felt this was promised to them as a balance for Southern Democrats & SW states getting “all” of Texas But, when Britain came to negotiate and accept US offer of 49th parallel, with the US at war with Mexico, the Senate accepted the compromise.

15. Polk “the purposeful” (1) Walker Tariff: 32 down to 25%; excellent revenue producer (2) Independent Treasury for national funds (3) Acquisition of California (4) Settlement of Oregon dispute with Britain

16. Polk “the purposeful” (3) Acquisition of California WHY California? Fertile valleys Harbor of San Francisco Gateway to Pacific trade

17. Polk “the purposeful” (3) Acquisition of California Attempted to buy California Rumors about Britain ready to buy/seize California John Slidell sent to Mexico City—snubbed Polk sent Zachary Taylor + troops over the Nueces River to force a showdown and ask for war

18. Polk “the purposeful” In response to Polk’s war message to Congress, Abraham Lincoln introduced resolutions asking exactly what “spot” American blood had been shed = “spot resolutions” = first protest of many protests over this unjust war.

19. California: Bear Flag Republic Captain John C. Fremont: (explorer and opportunist) overthrew Mexican rule with the help of American naval officers and hoisted the flag proclaiming California to be the “Bear Flag Republic”

20. Military actions of War with Mexico Zachary Taylor: Old Rough and Ready Hero of Buena Vista General Winfield Scott: Old Fuss and Feathers Hero of Mexico City

21. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Affirmed US title to Texas About ½ of Mexico’s land making up states today of… New Mexico Arizona Nevada California Utah US paid Mexico $15 million for the land

22. Conscience (or Mexican) Whigs Antislavery Whigs in Congress who denounced this “damnable war” Threatened to vote down supplies for the armies Supported the Wilmot Proviso David Wilmot’s (PA) proposal: No slavery should ever exist in any territory taken from Mexico Passed the House 2x, but never the Senate

23. Legacy of the Mexican War Larger expanse of land than Louisiana spurred Manifest Destiny even more “The appetite comes with eating.” Schoolroom of the Civil War as far as military experience is concerned Foreign powers respect US military ability Begins long-term resentment of US by Mexico and Latin Americans