AP U.S. History: Unit 7
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Manifest Destiny in the 1840s
Note: Unless your teacher requires you to know about Tyler’s presidency
and some international incidents regarding Britain and the U.S., skip to
the section on “Manifest Destiny” below. The AP exam never covers the
aforementioned material.
Use space below for
notes
I. President John Tyler
A. 1840 Election: Harrison (Whig) defeated Van Buren (Democrat)
1. Slogan: "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too" (Harrison & Tyler for
President)
2. Prominent Whigs (Webster and Clay) sought to control Harrison
3. Harrison died of pneumonia after 4 weeks in office
4. Vice President Tyler became president; blocked plans of
Webster & Clay
B. Tyler was a Jacksonian in philosophy but did not like Jackson
personally.
1. Opposed Whig Party's support for Clay’s "American System"
2. Vetoed more bills than any single-term president in U.S. history.
C. End of Independent treasury system (Van Buren’s "Divorce
Bill")
-- Tyler signed the bill; Whigs sought a 3rd national bank.
D. Tyler vetoed bill for creation of a 3rd national bank
E. Tyler expelled from his party by congressional caucus of Whigs
F. Whig attempt to impeach him led to resignation of entire cabinet
G. 1842, Tyler signed bill to raise protective tariff to 32%.
II. U.S. Conflict with England in late 1830s & early 1840s
A. Caroline Incident (1837 -- during Van Buren’s presidency)
1. U.S ship set on fire on NY shore and sunk by British; one
American dead
2. 1840, a Canadian man arrested for alleged role in the attack.
-- British stated his execution would mean war as man was part of
a military force
3. U.S. released the Canadian prisoner and tensions subsided
B. Creole incident,1841: British in Bahamas offered asylum to 130
Virginia slaves who had rebelled and captured the U.S. ship Creole
-- US-British relations soured as Southerners wanted compensation
C. Maine boundary dispute
1. British desired to build a road connecting Halifax, Nova Scotia,
and Quebec
-- Road ran through disputed territory in northern Maine.
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HistorySage.com APUSH Lecture Notes
Unit 7: Manifest Destiny
2. "Aroostook War" (1838)
a. Canadian lumberjacks entered Aroostook River Valley to claim
land; were confronted by Maine Militia; conflict was bloodless.
b. Conflict threatened to widen into a real war.
c. British diplomat, Lord Ashburton negotiated with U.S.
secretary of state Daniel Webster.
3. Webster-Ashburton Treaty (1842)
a. U.S. retained over half of the territory while British got the
Halifax-Quebec route
b. Britain expressed regret for the destruction of the Caroline
c. Britain promised to avoid interference in freeing slaves (as in
the Creole incident)
d. Both agreed to cooperate in patrolling the African coast to
prevent smuggling
e. U.S. gained land in Minnesota (later, valuable iron ore was
discovered there)
f. Significance: improved U.S.-British relations
III. Manifest Destiny
A. Millions of Americans in the 1840s & 50s believed that God chose
Americans to control the Western Hemisphere.
1. Felt their mission was to spread democratic institutions from "sea
to shining sea."
2. Land greed and idealism joined into a potent mix for expansion
3. Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton was a leading proponent
of expansionism, free land, and internal improvements.
4. "Manifest destiny" phrase coined in 1844 by John L. Sullivan
5. Movement really began in the 1830s with Jackson & Van Buren
removing the Indians from the southeast to Oklahoma.
B. Election of 1844 was an expression of Manifest Destiny
1. Expansionist Democrats supported "Young Hickory," James K.
Polk
a. Historians often extend "Jacksonian Democracy" through
Polk's presidency (1828-1840)
b. Sought to annex Texas & gain Oregon up to the 54˚40’parallel.
2. Whigs nominated Henry Clay (his third run for president)
-- Clay’s attempt to straddle the Texas issue cost him the
presidency
3. Liberty Party: 1st party created for the anti-extension of slavery
a. Candidate: James G. Birney, founder of the Kentucky
Anti-Slavery Society
b. Party ran in both the 1840 and 1844 elections
4. Polk defeated Clay 170-105
a. The Liberty Party took enough votes away from Clay that he
lost New York by only 5,000 votes and it cost him the election.
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notes:
HistorySage.com APUSH Lecture Notes
Unit 7: Manifest Destiny
b. Democrats claimed mandate for annexation; moot when
Tyler annexed Texas
Memory Aid for Manifest Destiny:
“TOM” -- Texas, Oregon, Mexican War
IV. Texas joins the Union
A. Republic of Texas lasted nine years
1. Mexico had refused to recognize Texas independence since 1836.
a. Threatened war if U.S. should try annexation
b. Texas feared Mexico’s larger and superior military forces
2. Texas signed treaties with England, France, and the Netherlands
for protection in 1839-1840.
a. Britain was interested in Texas as buffer zone against further
U.S. expansion.
-- Area could be used for European challenge to the Monroe
Doctrine
b. France also hoped to divide North America.
B. Texas became the leading issue in the 1844 campaign (Polk v. Clay)
1. Opponents feared expansion of slavery into a new region
2. Southerners strongly supported annexation of Texas as it would
add another slave state to the Union
C. 1845, Tyler got a joint resolution in Congress for annexation
(required only majority)
1. Didn't push for a treaty as it required 2/3 vote in the Senate; many
Whigs were opposed to Texas’ entry into the Union.
2. Lame-duck Tyler interpreted the (narrow) election as a mandate
for annexation.
3. Therefore, Texas became part of the U.S. by the time Polk took
the oath of office in March, 1845
D. Mexico claimed the U.S. had unjustly taken Texas and refused to
recognize the annexation
V. President James K. Polk
A. One of the most successful one-term presidents in U.S. history
1. Strong proponent of Jacksonian ideals (his supporters called him
“Young Hickory”)
2. Polk was a slave-owner his entire life and owned plantations in
Tennessee and Mississippi.
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notes:
HistorySage.com APUSH Lecture Notes
Unit 7: Manifest Destiny
B. Polk’s 4-point program (achieved in less than four years)
1. Lowered tariff of 1842 from 32% to 25% (Walker Tariff, 1846)
-- Proved to be excellent revenue producer as it was followed by
boom times.
2. Restoration of the Independent Treasury System (1846)
3. Acquisition of California
4. Settlement of the Oregon dispute
Memory Aid for Polk's Presidency:
COIL -- California, Oregon, Independent Treasury System, and
Lower tariff
C. Oregon
1. Region had been disputed in certain sections by Spain, Russia,
Britain, and the U.S.
a. John Jacob Astor: Developed the American Fur Company
into a huge enterprise organizing the fur trade from the Great
Lakes to Oregon.
-- When Astor died in 1848, he was the richest man in America
b. Spain gave away claims to Oregon in Florida Purchase
Treaty in 1819
c. Conflict with Russia
i. Fort Ross established by Russia in 1812 just north of San
Francisco
ii. Monroe Doctrine was intended by John Quincy Adams
partly to reject Russian claims.
iii. Russia retreated to the 54˚40’line due to 1824-25 treaties
with the U.S. and Britain
-- U.S. and Britain became sole possessors of the territory
2. American migration flowed into the Oregon region (south of the
Columbia River)
a. Oregon Trail: 1840’s: flood of pioneers with came to Oregon
on a trail blazed by Jedediah Smith.
i. 2,000 mile trail; average of 17 deaths per mile for pioneers
-- Trail began at Independence, Missouri or Council Bluffs,
Iowa
ii. By 1846, 5,000 U.S. settlers lived south of Columbia River;
British had only 700 people living north of river
b. Britain was concerned about large U.S. migration into the
region
i. A disputed area existed between the Columbia River and the
49th parallel.
-- A proposed compromise of the 49th parallel was initially
refused by Britain
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notes
HistorySage.com APUSH Lecture Notes
Unit 7: Manifest Destiny
c. Polk abandoned the campaign pledge of a 54˚40’ boundary
i. Some Democrats had advocated "54˚40’or fight!"
ii. Didn't want to tip north-south political balance with new
additional northern states.
iii. Southerners, happy with Texas annexation and the election,
accepted the 49th parallel.
iv. Early in 1846, Britain agreed to the 49th parallel as the new
Oregon border between the U.S. and Canada
3. Oregon Treaty (1846): U.S. received Oregon territory south of
the 49th parallel
a. War with Mexico influenced many senators to seek a quick end
to the dispute
b. Northwestern states were angry that southerners got all of
Texas but the U.S. did not get all of Oregon.
D Mexican War (1846-1848)
1. Polk sought to buy California from Mexico; Mexico not
interested as they were still angry concerning Texas’ annexation
a. California was seen as gateway to the Pacific
b. Texas’ annexation issue caused Mexico to sever diplomatic
relations with U.S.
c. Boundary dispute: Original boundary was the northerly
Nueces River; Texans claimed the Rio Grande to the South
i. Polk honored the Rio Grande as Texas’ boundary
ii. Mexico less concerned over boundary, wanted Texas back
d. U.S. claimed against Mexico $3 million in damages to U.S.
citizens and property during the Texas war for independence
-- Mexico had formally agreed to assume this debt but defaulted
e. Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico City in late 1845 to buy
California for $25 million
i. Mexico refused to allow Slidell to present his proposition
ii. A slighted Polk now looked for a reason to go to war
2. Declaration of War
a. Jan. 1846, Polk ordered Gen. Zachary Taylor to march from
Nueces River to Rio Grande, and ordered the U.S. Navy in the
Gulf of Mexico and the California coast to be ready.
-- Polk was prepared to force a showdown but none occurred
b. April, Mexican troops crossed the Rio Grande and attacked one
of Taylor’s surprised patrols resulting in16 casualties
i. Polk sent his war message to Congress in response
ii. May 13, Congress overwhelmingly voted for a declaration of
war (only 14 Whigs voted “no”).
-- Although many antislavery Whigs joined in, they later
condemned the conflict as "Mr. Polk’s War"
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notes:
HistorySage.com APUSH Lecture Notes
Unit 7: Manifest Destiny
c. “Conscience Whigs”: A majority of Whigs opposed the war in
principle.
i. Some Whigs questioned if the war had begun on U.S.
territory
-- “Spot” Resolutions: Rep. Abraham Lincoln sought the
exact "spot"
ii. Many Whigs believed U.S. had no legal right to land south
of the Nueces River.
iii. Ralph Waldo Emerson feared slavery issue in new
conquered territories would lead to a severe sectional crisis:
"Mexico will poison us!"
iv. Henry David Thoreau went to jail rather than pay taxes to
support the war
-- A few years later he wrote Civil Disobedience (1849)
d. Southern expansionists eager to take more Mexican territory.
e. Mexico hoped U.S. involvement with Britain over Oregon
would erupt into war
-- Wanted to humiliate the U.S. for Texas issue
3. U.S. initiated a three-pronged invasion of Mexico
a. California by land
i. Capt. John C. Fremont captured California, after the state
had earlier won its independence in the Bear Flag Revolt
ii.1846, Gen. Stephen W. Kearny captured Santa Fe and moved
into California
b. California by sea
-- Commodore John D. Sloat seized Monterey & San Francisco
c. Mexico by land
i. Gen. Zachary Taylor victorious at Monterey and Buena
Vista against Mexican General (and president) Antonio
Lopez de Santa Anna
-- Taylor was an overnight hero (elected president in 1848)
ii. Gen. Winfield Scott pushed inland from Vera Cruz and
captured Mexico City.
-- Mexico still refused to negotiate and instead carried on
guerrilla warfare.
4. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (Feb.2, 1848)
a. Provisions:
i. U.S. gained California, and modern-day NM, AZ, UT & NV
-- Mexico thus lost one-half of its territory
ii. U.S. agreed to pay $15 million and assumed claims of U.S.
citizens against Mexico of $3,250,000
b. Treaty approved by the Senate 38-14 despite bitter debate
i. "Mexican Whigs" disapproved of war & even threatened to
cut off supplies to U.S. forces in Mexico
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HistorySage.com APUSH Lecture Notes
Unit 7: Manifest Destiny
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ii. Expansionists in South clamored for all of Mexico
iii. Calhoun pushed for the treaty immediately before
significant opposition mounted.
5. Results of Mexican War
a. Most significantly, the slavery issue was ignited: would slavery
exist in the new territories?
i. In a broad sense, Mexican War contributed to the Civil War
ii. Abolitionists saw the Mexican War as conspiracy of
southern slave owners.
b. Wilmot Proviso, 1848 (proposed law; did not pass Congress)
i. Law proposed that slavery should never exist in any of
the territory gained from Mexico
ii. Twice passed the House but not the Senate; endorsed by all
but one free state
iii. Southerners resented Northern attempts to prevent the
expansion of slavery
c. U.S. territory increased by 1/3 (including Texas); bigger than
the Louisiana Territory purchased in 1803
d. 13,000 Americans died in the war, mostly due to disease.
e. Sentiment for expansionism increased in the U.S. (see 1850s)
f. Latin America began to negatively view U.S. as the "Colossus
of the North"
g. U.S. forces became experienced in war; this would affect the
scope of the Civil War
Terms to Know
Manifest Destiny
election of 1844
President James K. Polk
Liberty Party
Walker Tariff
John Jacob Astor
Oregon Trail
“54˚40’ or Fight!”
Oregon Treaty
annexation of Texas
President John Tyler
Texas boundary dispute
Nueces River
Rio Grande River
General Zachary Taylor
Mexican War
“Conscience Whigs”
“Spot” Resolutions
“Mexico will poison us!”
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Wilmot Proviso
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Use space below for
notes
HistorySage.com APUSH Lecture Notes
Unit 7: Manifest Destiny
Essay Questions
Note: This sub-unit is a high probability area for the AP
exam. In the past 10 years, 4 questions have come
wholly or in part from the material in this chapter. Below
are some questions that will help you study the topics
that have appeared on previous exams.
1. Analyze several factors that led to American expansion in
the 1840s.
2. To what extent did American expansionists achieve their
goals between 1840 and 1848?
3. Compare and contrast American expansionism during
“Manifest Destiny” in the 1840s with expansionism in the
years between 1800 and 1840. (You may have to review
Unit 4).
4. To what extent was President James K. Polk successful in
achieving his political goals during his presidency?
Bibliography:
College Board, Advanced Placement Course Description: History -United States, College Entrance Examination Board, published
annually
Foner, Eric & Garraty, John A. editors: The Reader’s Companion to
American History, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1991
Hofstadter, Richard, The American Political Tradition, New York:
Alfred Knopf, 1948
Kennedy, David M., Cohen, Lizabeth, Bailey, Thomas A., The American
Pageant (AP Edition), 13th edition, Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006
McPherson, James, Battle Cry of Freedom, New York: Balantine Books,
1988
Nash, Gary : American Odyssey, Lake Forest, Illinois: Glencoe, 1992
Schultz, Constance G., The American History Videodisc Master Guide,
Maryland: Instruction Resources Corporation, 1995
Yanak, Ted, and Cornelison, Pam, The Great American History FactFinder, Boston: Houghton-Mifflin, 1993
Zinn, Howard, A People’s History of the United States, New York:
Harper and Row, 1980
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