Chapter 17: Manifest Destiny and Its Legacy (1841-1848)

John Tyler

the 10th president of the US who served from 1841 to 1845 following William Henry Harrison’s death

• member of the Whig party, though eventually expelled for vetoing legislation against the Whigs

• supported the annexation of Texas

states’, expansionism, territorial

John Tyler was a strong advocate of ? rights and ?

• He influenced the future of ? expansion

Caroline

an American steamboat that was used by Canadian rebels to transport supplies during the Upper Canada Rebellion against British rule

• the ship was attacked and burned in New York Waters

  • Led to tensions between the US and Britain

Britain, sovereignty, neutral

The Caroline represents the complex relationship between America and ?

• prompted the US government to emphasis its ? and the principle of ? rights

Aroostook War

A bloodless “war” between the US and Britain over disputed land in the Aroostook Valley in Maine, a boundary between Maine and Canada

• prompted military mobilization on both sides, though no battles occurred

lumber, militia, Webster-Ashburton

The Aroostook war was fueled by ? interests and local ?

• was ultimately resolved by the ? Treaty of 1842 which further established the US-Canada border

Lone Star Republic

an independent state that declared independence from Mexico in 1836

• suffered political instability and conflicts with Mexico

• sought recognition from the US

Manifest Destiny, Mexican-American

The Lone Star Republic became a symbol for ? and played a crucial role in the ? war

• Texas would eventually become an important state during the debates over slavery

James K. Polk

the 11th president of the US, serving from 1845 to 1849

• associated with an expansionist agenda known as Manifest Destiny

• oversaw the Mexican-American War

• Settled the Oregon Treaty of 1846

expansion, continental

James K. Polk was extremely critical towards American ?

• through his decisive leadership style that allowed America to become a ? power

• his overseeing of the Mexican-American War demonstrated to the rest of the world that the US was no joke

Oregon Country

A vast region in the Pacific Northwest that became a focal point for American expansion in the mid-19th century

• one key route to reach this area was the Oregon Trail

  • this was fueled by “Oregon Fever”

Manifest Destiny, exceptionalism

Oregon Country represents the mass belief in ? at the time

• also represents ? as Americans believed it was their God-given right to settle there over the natives

Manifest Destiny

a 19th century doctrine that held the belief that the expansion of the US was justified and inevitable

• God gave the divine right to the US to expand

foreign, nations, Texas, Oregon

Manifest Destiny influenced US ? policy and led to conflicts with ? around/within the US

• justified the annexation of ? and ?

Compromise of 1846

a debate over the northern boundary of the Oregon Territory between Britain and the US

• “54-40 or fight!” was an American slogan for expansion

• eventually, the 49th parallel was established as the border

diplomacy, Manifest Destiny

The Compromise of 1846 exemplified the importance of US expansion through ?

• reflected the fervor of ?

Spot Resolutions

series of resolution introduced by Congressman Abraham Lincoln in 1847, questioning President James K. Polk’s justification for the Mexican-American War

• was American blood actually shed on American territory?

consequences, morals

the Spot Resolutions represented the ? of military action and the importance of seeing conflict with ?

• questions on the war’s legitimacy arose

Zachary Taylor

the 12th president of the US, serving from 1849 until his death in 1850

• national hero of the Mexican-American War

  • Known for his military prowess and rugged demeanor

slavery, sectional

Zachary Taylor notably opposed the extension of ? into new territories, putting him at odds with the Southern states

• increased tensions over slavery overall

• his presidency is seen as the precursor to rising ? conflicts

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

the treaty that ended the Mexican-American War and resulted in significant territorial gains for the US

• Mexico was forced to cede California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico

intensified, Manifest Destiny

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ? debates over slavery and the question of whether these new states should be free or slave states arose

• also represented ? agenda

Wilmot Proviso

legislative proposal introduced by Congressman David Wilmot in 1846

• aimed to ban slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico as a result of the Mexican-American War

• fierce debates over expansion of slavery

divide, Civil War, threatened

The Wilmot Proviso highlighted the growing ? in American politics that ultimately culminated in the ?

• caused the Southerners to feel ?

Californios

Spanish-speaking inhabitants of California during the period before and after US annexation in 1848

• primarily Mexican descent

• faced loss of land and status

oppressed, multicultural

The Californios became an ? group of people

• faced legal challenges and discrimination

• important to California’s ? identity