“Our manifest destiny is to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions” – John L. O’Sullivan (1845)
-the belief that the U.S. should extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific
Before U.S. acquires the land in the west, many settlers moved on on their own Trails: Santa Fe Trail
California Trail Gila Route Mormon Trail Old Spanish Trail Oregon Trail Wagon trains
Generally, settlers would gather in Independence, Missouri, and join 50-100 other wagons Why?
1. Support 2. Protection 3. Guidance 4. Companionship Wagon – 8 ½ feet high
10 feet wide Conestoga Wagon Drawn by oxen
2 mph/15 miles per day The Trip – 5 to 6 months long
The wagon trains became moving communities Set up laws Appointed officials Tried criminals Had marriages Had funerals Texas
[1821] Mexico revolts against Spanish rule and declares independence
[1823] Mexican government gives a huge tract of land to Stephen Austin. Austin promised to settle the land along with 300 other Americans
The only promise the Americans had to make was to become Roman Catholic and to “Mexicanize” Thousands of Americans begin to steadily populate the area in Texas
Examples: Davy Crockett, James Bowie – inventor of the Bowie knife, Sam Houston – soldier, lawyer, congressman, governor of TN
Some criminals move to Texas as well “G.T.T.” – Gone to Texas [1830] Mexico outlaws slavery – tell Americans to stop bringing more slaves
-Americans largely ignore this
-Many Americans are angry with Mexican soldiers stationed in Texas
[1833] Stephen Austin goes to Mexico City to settle disputes with Mexican government -the Mexican government jails Austin for eight months
[1835] Santa Anna (leader of Mexico) creates an Army to send to Texas [1835] 30 000 Americans are living in Texas
[1836] Texas declares its independence “Lone Star Republic” Sam Houston takes control of the Texan Army
The Alamo – [March 6, 1836]
-6 000 Mexican troops surround 200 Texans at the Alamo
-After 13 days of battle – everyone inside the Alamo is killed, including Davy Crockett, James Bowie, and Colonel Travis (head of Alamo Forces)
Texans use this as a rallying cry, “Remember the Alamo!” The Goliad – [March 27, 1836]
-400 Texans are killed after they surrender “Remember the Goliad”
Battle of San Jacinto
-Houston and the Texan army lead Santa Anna and the Mexican army on a chase through Texas
-As the Mexicans stop for a “siesta”, Houston turns the army around and attacks the Mexican forces and defeats them
-Santa Anna signs an agreement recognizing the independence of Texas, with the Rio Grande as the border
Texas has their independence, and they name Sam Houston as the President of Texas John Tyler
From Virginia (also a senator from Virginia)
He was the Vice President under Harrison – first VP to ascend to the Presidency because of death Whig (in actuality, a Democrat)
Henry Clay and Daniel Webster – leaders of the Whig Party – had hoped to control Harrison and the presidency But Tyler will continue to go against Clay and the Whig Party
-vetoes two bills to create a National Bank -opposes the Whig Platform
-all of his Cabinet members resign, except for Webster -kicked him out of the Whig Party
Three Major Developments of Tyler’s Presidency “A Third War with England”
War with words between England and the U.S. [1840s] [1837] Caroline Affair
-a small uprising in Canada
-some Northern states send supplies aboard the Caroline to the rebellion [1841] New York apprehends a Canadian who was suspected of burning the Caroline
-was acquitted and issues cool down The Webster-Ashburton Treaty [1842]
There was a small war that breaks out in Maine between Maine lumberjackers and some Canadians over the border – called the Aroostook War
Lord Ashburton of Great Britain and Daniel Webster (secretary of state) – negotiate a treaty Split the land, sets a border in Canada
The U.S. receives a small portion of land in Minnesota “Oregon Fever”
[By 1846] 5 000 people had moved to the area south of the Columbia River
Many Americans begin calling for the northern border to extend to the 54° 40’ line “54° 40’ or fight!”
Election of 1844
The major issue is that of expansion Whigs – Henry Clay
-writes a series of letters in which he appears non-committal on the issue of Texas -many anti-slavery groups turn against Clay
-small party in NY “Liberty Party” votes for a third-party election Democrats – James K. Polk “a dark horse candidate”
-on a platform of expansion -wants to annex Texas -wants California -wants the 54° 40’ line -was the governor of Tennessee -Speaker of the House
Polk is elected President
Even though Polk is elected, Tyler is not done yet
-Tyler claims that the people have mandated that the U.S. annex Texas [February 1845] Tyler gets a joint resolution pass in Congress
Texas is officially annexed
Rules: Texas can only be split into a possible four states Move the 36° 30’ line up north (get the Texas border)
James K. Polk (the 11
thPresident) Speaker of the House for four years Governor of Tennessee
Firm believer in Manifest Destiny Extremely hard-working, serious Of moderate intelligence
Goals:
1. wants a lowered tariff – succeeds Walker Tariff [1846]
-lowers tariffs to 25%
2. wants to restore the Independent Treasury – succeeds [1841] Whigs ended the Independent Treasury system [1846] a new Independent Treasury system is established 3. the settlement of Oregon – succeeds
[1846] Great Britain and the U.S. agree to extend the 49th parallel to the Pacific Ocean 4. wants to acquire California
Leads to the Mexican War