manifest destiny vocab

caroline

an American steamboat attacked and burned by British forces while in NY, it sparked tension and anti-british outrage.

creole

an American ship where enslaved people staged a revolt successfully and sailed to british-controlled Bahamas, Britain freed the captives, angering pro-slavery americans

aroostook war

a border dispute between American and Canadian lumberjacks in Maine. Though no actual war broke out, it led to the webster-ashburton treaty, which peacefully resolved the boundary.

manifest destiny

the belief that the U.S. was destined by God and history to expand westward across the continent. This idea justified territorial expansion and contributed to conflicts such as the Mexican-American war.

“54 40’ or fight”

a slogan associated with the Oregon boundary dispute asserting that the U.S. should control the northern boundary of the Oregon Territory at latitude 54 degrees 40 minutes. The dispute was settle peacefully at 49th parallel.

liberty party

a political party formed in the 1840s that opposed the expansion of slavery into the territories of the United States. It was one of the first parties to advocate for abolition and played a key role in electing James K. Polk as president because they drew away votes from Henry Clay.

Spot Resolutions

a series of proposals made by Congressman Abraham Lincoln in 1847 asking President Polk to provide the exact location where American blood had been shed, questioning the justification for the Mexican-American War.

california bear flag republic

a short-lived republic declared by American settlers in California who revolted against Mexican rule. With u.s. troops arriving shortly after, the region came under american control during the mexican-american war.

battle of Buena vista

A significant battle during the Mexican-American War, fought in 1847, where American forces under General Zachary Taylor achieved a decisive victory against Mexican troops led by Santa Anna.

treaty of Guadalupe hidalgo

The treaty that ended the Mexican-American War in 1848, ceding large territories in the southwest, including California and New Mexico (Mexican cession), to the United States.

conscience whigs

A faction of the Whig Party in the mid-19th century that opposed the Mexican-American War and were particularly concerned that it would help the expansion of slavery into new territories.

wilmot proviso

An1846 proposal by David Wilmot to ban slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico during the Mexican-American War. It highlighted the growing tensions between free and slave states.

william Henry harrison

The ninth President of the United States, who served only 31 days in 1841 before dying of pneumonia. He was a military hero known for his role in the Tippecanoe War and the Battle of the Thames.

james tyler

The tenth President of the United States, who assumed office after Harrison's death in 1841. He was a former Democrat who joined the Whig Party but often clashed with Whig leadership, leading to his expulsion from the party.

james k. polk

The eleventh President of the United States, serving from 1845 to 1849. He was a strong proponent of Manifest Destiny and led the nation during the Mexican-American War, significantly expanding U.S. territory. Heavily influenced by Andrew Jackson. He created independent treasury, he was a dark horse candidate, he lowered tariffs, gained the Mexican cession, and established the 49th parallel.

popular sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, typically through their elected representatives; it was particularly applied to the issue of slavery in the territories.