2. Territorial expansion dominated American diplomacy and politics in the 1840’s.
Expansionism aggravated relations with both Mexico and Britain. And when Americans
began casting covetous eyes on Mexico’s northern most province, the great prize of
California, open warfare erupted between the U.S. and Mexico.
Victory over Mexico added vast new domains to the U.S., but it also raised thorny
questions about the status of slavery in the newly acquired territories – questions that
would be settled in blood in the Civil War of the 1860’s.
3. THE ACCESSION of “TYLER TOO”
William Henry Harrison won the election
of 1840, but he died one month after his
inauguration.
Webster & Clay, leaders in the Whig
Party, had viewed Harrison as an
impressive figurehead.
The “Tyler Too” part of the Whig ticket
now claimed the spotlight.
4.
5. John Tyler was a former Senator from Virginia, who was added to the Harrison ticket to entice the
vote of the southern states who advocated states-rights. He was accused of being a “Democrat in
Whig clothing,” and Tyler was opposed by the Whig leaders, Clay and Webster.
Tyler, as president, proved to be more Democrat than Whig. He opposed most of the Whigs major
positions:
1. Whigs were pro-BUS Tyler was against the BUS
2. Whigs favored a protective tariff Tyler opposed a high tariff
3. Whigs were pro-internal improvements Tyler was a strict constructionist
The biggest rift between Tyler and the Whig leadership was over the BUS. The Whigs wanted to re-
establish the National Bank, but Tyler vetoed the measure on constitutional grounds. Tyler was
ostracized by the Whigs, and the House considered impeachment. Tyler’s entire cabinet resigned,
except Webster.
After vetoing one tariff bill, Tyler reluctantly signed a compromise tariff in 1842.
6.
7. A WAR of WORDS with BRITAIN
Hatred of Britain during the 19th century came to a head periodically. Identify the
components of the anti-British passions.
Describe the Caroline attack and the Creole incident as enflaming relations between
Britain and the U.S.
8. MANIPULATING the MAINE MAPS
An explosive controversy of the early 1840’s involved the Maine boundary dispute.
Describe the dispute and how it nearly led to war.
9. London sent Lord Ashburton to negotiate with Secretary of State Daniel Webster. The
result of these negotiations was the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842. What were the
main provisions of the agreement? What was the overlooked bonus?
Lord Ashburton
10. TEXAS
During the eight years since 1836, Texas had led a precarious existence. Mexico, refusing
to recognize Texas’s independence, regarded the Lone Star Republic as a province in
revolt, to be re-conquered in the future. Mexican officials threatened war if America
annexed it.
Rebuffed by the U.S., what moves was Texas
forced to protect itself from a hostile Mexico?
Why was Britain so interested in an independent
Texas? Why did this worry the U.S.?
The Texas “issue” became the dominant issue in the
1844 presidential election.
11. A MANDATE (?) for MANIFEST DESTINY
The presidential election of 1844 featured the Democrat “dark horse” candidate, James
Polk and the Whig leader, Henry Clay. Describe Polk’s personal and political profile.
Polk ran on a platform supporting the annexation of Texas – how did Clay hurt his
election chances?
Polk wins by advocating manifest destiny – explain
this emotional sense of mission.
The lame-duck President Tyler interpreted Polk’s
victory as a mandate for expansion.
In 1845, Congress, with pressure from Tyler, asked
Texas to join the Union. What was Mexico’s
reaction?
12.
13. The spirit of manifest destiny swept the nation in the 1840’s. The flood of American
settlers westward would create problems with Britain and Mexico.
14.
15. For settlers swept westward by Manifest Destiny, it was a long and dangerous journey.
16. THE POLK ADMINISTRATION
President Polk developed a four-point program that he achieved within four years. His
first goal was to lower the tariff. The subsequent Tariff of 1846 was devised by
Treasury Secretary Robert Walker. It lowered average tariff rates from 32% to 25%.
A second objective of Polk was the restoration of the independent treasury, which
was re-established in 1846.
17. THE OREGON QUESTION
Another goal of President Polk was resolution of the the disputed Oregon Territory, a
vast expanse of land claimed by both the U.S. and Britain. In the 1840’s more Americans
were settling into Oregon.
The Treaty of 1818 had called for the joint occupation of the Oregon Territory, but
the influx of Americans posed a clear threat to the British. Why did they choose to
negotiate with the U.S., rather than fight for the disputed area?
18.
19.
20. The U.S. govt. had repeatedly offered the 49th parallel as the northern boundary, but the
British had repeatedly spurned this compromise line. Expansionist Democrats called for
“54-40 or fight,” but Polk supported the compromise line. Why did the British decide
to accept the compromise line that they had so often rejected? Thus, in 1846, the
49th parallel was approved by the U.S. Senate.
21. MISUNDERSTANDINGS with MEXICO
The last of Polk’s four primary goals was the acquisition of California. Why did Polk and his
supporters covet California?
Polk wanted to buy California from Mexico, but what were the sources of friction between the
two nations that soured relations?
What rumor concerned the American govt. regarding California that created a sense of urgency
in the U.S.? How did Polk respond? How did the Mexican govt. respond?
22. AMERICAN BLOOD on AMERICAN (?) SOIL
In January, 1846, what move did Polk make to provoke a showdown with Mexico?
How did the Mexicans react? What was Polk’s next move?
How did war with Mexico begin?
What was the basis of Whig
opposition? Did Polk provoke war?
How were both sides inspired by
moral indignation?
23. THE MASTERING of MEXICO
Describe Polk’s war goals. How did he get duped by Santa Anna?
24. How successful were U.S. military operations? Who emerged as the war heroes for the
U.S.?
Gen. Zachary Taylor
Gen. Winfield Scott
25. When the initial battles along the border did not induce the Mexicans to negotiate, Polk
ordered the army to seize the northern territories of Mexico, hoping these losses would
force the Mexican govt. to negotiate.
26. Initially, many Americans took pride in their country’s new-found military prowess,
despite the questionable tactics employed by Polk. But as expectations of a quick victory
evaporated and casualties mounted, the “politics of war” burdened Polk.
27. FIGHTING MEXICO for PEACE
Polk was eager to end the war as soon as possible so he could secure his territorial gains.
He dispatched Nicholas Trist to negotiate with Santa Anna.
28. Explain the course of events involving Trist. Regarding the negotiated Treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo, identify its key provisions. Did the treaty experience “smooth sailing” in the
Senate?
29.
30. PROFIT and LOSS in MEXICO
As wars go, was the Mexican War a large or small one? How did most U.S.
soldiers die during the war? Identify the “pluses” gained by America from the
war. Identify the “negatives” for the nation following the war. Describe the
Wilmot Amendment and its significance.
Rep. Wilmot
