The Lone Star of Texas Shines Alone

This section covers the complex issue of Texas annexation and its impact on U.S. politics.

The Belated Texas Nuptials

Texas annexation became a major political issue in the 1844 presidential campaign:

• Democrats supported expansion, while Whigs opposed annexation
• President Tyler arranged a joint resolution for annexation
• Texas was formally invited to join the Union in 1845

Definition: Manifest Destiny was the belief that American settlers were destined to expand across North America, which greatly influenced expansionist Democrats.

Oregon Fever Populates Oregon

The Oregon Country was claimed by multiple nations:

• Spain and Russia eventually backed out of their claims
• Britain and the United States had strong competing claims
• By 1845, only a small segment of Oregon was still in dispute

A Mandate (?) for Manifest Destiny

The 1844 presidential election centered on expansion:

• James K. Polk was chosen as the Democratic candidate
• Henry Clay represented the Whigs
• Polk's victory was seen as a mandate for Manifest Destiny

Example: Polk's goals included lowering tariffs, acquiring California, and settling the Oregon dispute.

Polk the Purposeful

James K. Polk's presidency was marked by a clear expansionist agenda:

• He sought to lower tariffs, resulting in the Walker Tariff of 1846
• He aimed to settle the Oregon boundary dispute at the 49th parallel
• Acquiring California became a major objective

Misunderstandings with Mexico

This section details the deteriorating relations between the United States and Mexico, leading to war.

American Blood on American (?) Soil

Tensions with Mexico escalated due to the Texas annexation and U.S. desire for California:

• Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico City in 1845 to negotiate the purchase of California
• Mexico refused to hear the proposal
• Polk ordered troops to the Rio Grande, leading to a Mexican attack on April 25, 1846

Quote: Polk declared that "American blood has been shed on American soil," using this as justification for war.

The Mastering of Mexico

The Mexican-American War unfolded with several key events:

• The short-lived California Bear Flag Republic in 1846
• American victories at Buena Vista and Mexico City

Fighting Mexico for Peace

The war concluded with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on February 2, 1848:

• Confirmed American title to Texas
• Yielded California and the Southwest to the U.S.
• The U.S. paid $15 million and assumed claims against Mexico

Highlight: The Mexican-American War satisfied the concept of Manifest Destiny but also resurfaced the issue of slavery expansion, leading to the controversial Wilmot Proviso.

Profit and Loss in Mexico

The war had significant consequences:

• Fulfilled the vision of Manifest Destiny
• Provided military experience for future Civil War officers
• Damaged relations between the U.S. and Latin America
• Intensified debates over slavery expansion in new territories

The Accession of "Tyler Too"

This section discusses John Tyler's unexpected rise to the presidency and his conflicts with the Whig Party.

John Tyler: A President Without a Party

John Tyler became president in 1841 after William Henry Harrison's death, just four weeks into his term. Despite being elected as a Whig, Tyler's Democratic leanings caused significant friction with his party.

Highlight: Tyler vetoed two Whig-sponsored bills to establish a new Bank of the United States, leading to his expulsion from the Whig party and the resignation of most of his cabinet.

Financial Reform and Party Conflict

Tyler's presidency was marked by conflicts over financial policy:

• He ended the independent treasury system
• Vetoed Whig attempts to create a new national bank
• Initially vetoed a Whig tariff proposal
• Eventually signed the more moderate Tariff of 1842

A War of Words with Britain

This period saw increased tensions between the United States and Britain:

• Anti-British sentiment was high due to bitter memories of past wars
• The Caroline incident of 1837 and the Creole affair in 1841 further strained relations
• These conflicts were dubbed the "Third War with England," fought with "paper and ink"

Vocabulary: The Aroostook War refers to a bloodless confrontation between the United States and Britain over the Maine-New Brunswick border.

Manipulating the Maine Maps

The boundary dispute between Maine and Canada led to the Aroostook War. Lord Ashburton and Daniel Webster negotiated a compromise on the Maine boundary, helping to ease tensions between the two nations.