The Tyler Administration | Manifest Destiny and the Election of 1844

The Mexican War | Slavery in the Territories

1. The Tyler Administration (see Goldfield, pp. 287-290)

Abolitionist movement

John Tyler (1841-1845)

• Former Democrat
• Opponent of Henry Clay
• Vetoed bank bill
• Cabinet resigned in protest

Texas settlement

• Transcontinental Treaty (1819) established Texas as Spanish [later Mexican] territory
• Mexican government offered land; settlers must become Catholic and Mexican citizens
• Americans settlers brought slaves
• Americans in conflict with Mexican government
• Mexican government abolished slavery, prohibited further emigration from US

War for Texas Independence (1835-1836)

• Battle at San Jacinto River
• Santa Anna signs treaty; Republic of Texas established
• Treaty rejected by Mexican congress
• Texas pursued annexation; not admitted to US

2. Manifest Destiny and the Election of 1844 (see Goldfield, pp. 289-290, 381-382)

Texas as a political issue

• Democrats (Lewis Cass, Stephen Douglas) supported annexation to spread benefits of America
• Whigs opposed annexation, addition of slave state

John L. O’Sullivan: Manifest Destiny

• Americans are meant to occupy North American continent

Election of 1844

• James Polk (Democrat)—calls for expansion
• Henry Clay (Whig)

Annexation of Texas (1845)

• Joint resolution submitted by Tyler

3. The Mexican War (1846-1848) (see Goldfield, pp. 374-385)

Boundary dispute

• Mexico claimed Nueces River
• US claimed Rio Grande

Polk’s actions

• General Zachary sent to disputed territory with 3,500 troops
• John Slidell sent on diplomatic mission; failed
• Goals: Rio Grande, California, New Mexico
• Asks for declaration of war after skirmish

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

• Nicholas Trist sent to Mexico City; negotiates treaty
• Rio Grande as border
• California and New Mexico acquired by US
• US pays $15 million

Oregon Treaty (1846)

• Oregon Territory divided between US and Great Britain

4. Slavery in the Territories (see Goldfield, pp. 392-395)

California Gold Rush (1848-1849)

Potential solutions to territorial problem:

• Polk: extend Missouri Compromise line to Pacific
• Cass: popular sovereignty

Election of 1848

• Lewis Cass (Democrat)
• Zachary Taylor (Whig)
• Martin Van Buren (Free Soil)