Baltimore Polytechnic InstituteNovember 22, 2010

A.P. U.S. HistoryMr. Green

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 FocusA 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.

CHAPTER THEMESAmerican 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.

Mexican War ChartElection Charts 1844 & 1848Decades Chart 1840’s

James K. Polk-The 4 point program1. Lower tariffs-Walker Tariff2. Restore the independent treasury3. Acquisition of California4. Settlement of the Oregon disputeDid not follow the 54 forty or fight“Great Britain is powerful and Mexico is weak”

Senator Benton, MO

California in 184513,000 Spanish Mexicans75,000 Native Americans<1,000 foreigners (Americans)

Polk wanted to buy California from MexicoOnce the U.S. acquired Texas, Mexico ended

diplomatic relationsDispute over the southern boundary, the Rio

Grande or Nueces RiverPolk sent John Slidell to Mexico to offer 25 million

for California, but was not receivedRumor was Britain was about to acquire

California

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 claims2. Slidell’s rejection

April 25, 1846-Mexico kills/wounds 16 AmericansCongressman Lincoln wanted to know the spot on

American soil where American blood had been shed.

Did Polk provoke war?California importantKeep away from BritainGrievances against MexicoTeach Mexico a lessonMexico wanted to humiliate the bullies to the

North

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 TrailCaptain 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

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 landClaims 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?

13,000 American lives, most to diseaseU.S. size increased by a third Trained Civil War military leaders:

1. Captain Robert E. Lee2. Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant

Justified the academies at West Point and Annapolis

SlaveryWilmot Proviso-amendment to ban slavery in any

land acquired from MexicoNever became Federal law, but endorsed

by all but 1 of the free states

Begin reading Chapter 18 5 Question reading check at the beginning

of class on Tuesday Work on Charts.