MANIFEST DESTINY
AGITATION AND ACTIONS TO EXPAND U.S.TERRITORY TO
CONTINENTAL LIMITS GAVE RISE TO POLITICAL AND
SECTIONAL CONTROVERSIES.
CANADA:
WEBSTER-ASHBURTON TREATY – 1842: SETTLED A
BORDER DISPUTE BETWEEN MAINE AND CANADA AND
BETWEEN MINNESOTA AND CANADA
ALSO PROVIDED JOINT U.S.-BRITISH PATROLS TO SUPPRESS
THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE
OREGON: JOINT OCCUPATION BY BRITAIN AND THE U.S.
SINCE 1818
JOHN JACOB ASTOR’S AMERICAN FUR COMPANY had set
up trading stations in the Columbia River area before the War of 1812
WILLAMETTE VALLEY: 1830’S settled by Methodist
missionaries and settlers
54 40’ OR FIGHT! Expansionist presidential slogan used during
Polk’s campaign
US agreed to accept the extended 49th parallel in the 1846 treaty with
Britain
THE PACIFIC: significance of clipper ships
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: Whaling ships and missionaries arrived
in the 1830’s
1854 attempt to annex the islands/dropped due to foreign and
domestic protests
OPIUM WARS: EXTRATERRITORIALITY: 1844 US secured
trading rights in some Chinese ports/unequal treaties
COMMODORE MATTHEW PERRY and his “black ships” were
sent by Japan by President Fillmore in 1853. “Show of force” led to
trade treaty 5 years later and westernization.
THE CARIBBEAN: TARGET: CUBA
Southern extremists were interested in the prospect of new slave
territory. In 1848 Spain rejected our offer to buy Cuba. Private
soldiers of fortune attempted to seize Cuba in 1848 and Nicaragua in
1855-1860. American diplomats in Europe issued the Ostend Manifesto,
threatening to seize the island.
GADSDEN PURCHASE: 1853
The U.S. bought this “slice of land” from Mexico for possible railroad
construction. This completed the acquisition of contiguous territory on
the North American continent.
ALASKA: 1867 Purchased from Russia for $7.2 million.
William Seward was Secretary of State for President Andrew Johnson.
“worthless icebox”/Seward’s Folly
THE TEXAS PROBLEM:
CLAIMS TO TEXAS: The U.S. gave up claims to Texas in the 1819
Florida treaty with Spain, which defined the border of the Louisiana
territory.
1821: Mexican Independence from Spain
Twice Mexico rejected U.S. offers to purchase Texas.
AMERICAN SETTLERS: Offers of large tracts of free land.
Stephen F. Austin
1825 Colonization Law: settlers were expected to become Roman
Catholics and Mexican citizens. Some brought slaves to the area, but
Mexico banned slavery in 1830.
Mexico tried to close its borders, but illegal American immigrants
continued to enter Texas.
REBELLION: General Santa Anna attempted to centralize control
after he seized power. Rebellious Texans declared their right to secede.
March 1836 – Independence declare and a constitution was drawn up.
THE ALAMO: Santa Anna defeated the defenders in San Antonio.
BATTLE AT SAN JACINTO: Defeat of Mexicans by Sam Houston’s
forces.
TEXAS INDEPENDENCE: July 1836
U.S. recognition
LONE STAR REPUBLIC: President Sam Houston
Request for U.S. annexation/9 years of independence
Recognition by Britain and France for trade purposes
ANNEXATION TREATY: Annexation was opposed by Americans who
feared the expansion of slave territory.
Since the necessary 2/3rd approval of the Senate was not achieved,
approval was achieved by joint resolution(a simple majority vote) just
before the inauguration of Polk in March 1845.
Mexico broke diplomatic relations with the U.S.
March 1846-Mission by John Slidell failed to negotiate a settlement
including purchase of California
CAUSES OF THE MEXICAN AMERICAN WAR:
General Zachary Taylor and American troops entered disputed
territory between the Rio Grande and Nueces Rivers and were attacked
by Mexican troops.
WAR MESSAGE: May 11, 1846 President Polk claimed Mexico was
the aggressor.
“(Mexico) has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded
our territory, and shed American blood upon the American soil.”
War vote: 40-2 in the Senate/174-14 in the House
All opposition votes were from the North. Opposition to the war grew
immediately, especially in the North among anti-slavery groups.
Mexican advantages:
1.
2.
3.
AMERICAN VICTORIES:
General Zachary Taylor:
American fleet
General Winfield Scott
Americans took Mexico City.
OPPOSITION TO THE WAR:
Congressman Abraham Lincoln:
Henry David Thoreau
Wilmot Proviso:
TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO:
1.
2.
3.
EFFECTS OF THE WAR
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
CALIFORNIA:
Bear Flag Republic June 1846
Significance of the gold rush:
Applied for Admission:
DEBATE:
THE COMPROMISE OF 1850: 5 SEPARATE BILLS
1. California
2. New Mexico
3.Utah territory
4.District of Columbia
5.FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW
REACTION TO THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW
“personal liberty laws”
Underground railroad
Mobs
Abelman v. Booth 1859