unit 5 chapter 16

creole

An American ship captured by a group of rebelling Virginia slaves in 1841. They successfully sought asylum in the Bahamas.

aroostook War

Series of clashes between American and Canadian lumberjacks in the disputed territory of northern Maine, resolved when a permanent boundary was agreed upon in 1842.
- "battle fo the maps"

manifest destiny

A notion held by a nineteenth-century Americans that the United States was destined to rule the continent, from the Atlantic the Pacific.

“fifty-four forty or fight”

slogan used in the 1844 presidential election as a call for us annexation of the oregon territory

liberty party

The tiny anti-slavery party, got 16,000 votes in the 1844 election.

spot resolution

Measures introduced by Abraham Lincoln questioning President James K. Polk's justification for war with Mexico. He requested for Polk to clarify precisely where the Mexican forces had attacked American troops.

California flag Republic

Declaring independence from Mexican control, this republic was declared in 1846 by American settlers living in California; this political act was part of a larger American political and military strategy to wrest Texas and California from Mexico.

battle of Buena Vista 

Zachary Taylor repulsed the Mexicans overnight. It was 5000 Americans vs. 20,000 Mexicans and Santa Anna.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

1848
- Mexico recognized Rio grande as southern border of Texas
- US took possession of California and New Mexico -} Mexican cession
- US paid $15 million and took responsibility for any claims of Americans against Mexico

- some Whigs opposed treaty bc they saw it as an attempt to expand slavery
- some expansionists and southern democrats were unhappy bc they wanted to take all of Mexico

“Conscience Whigs”

Northern Whigs who opposed slavery on moral grounds. They sought to prevent the annexation of Texas as a slave state.

Wilmot Proviso

1846 proposal that outlawed slavery in any territory gained from the War with Mexico

John Tyler

elected Vice President and became the 10th President of the United States when Harrison died 1841-1845, President responsible for annexation of Mexico after receiving mandate from Polk, opposed many parts of the Whig program for economic recovery
- southern whig (so not really much of a whig)

James K. Polk

The President of the United States from 1795-1849. He was a democrat and was was often referred to as "Young Hickory" or the "Dark Horse" president.

Stephen W. Kearny

American General, led a detachment of 17 hundred troops over the Santa Fe trail from Fort Leavenworth. Captured the fort.

John C. Fremont

Explorer, collaborated with American Naval officers and local Americans, who hoisted the banner of the short-lived California Bear Flag Republic.

Winfield Scott

The main expedition was commanded by him, succeeded in battling his way up to Mexico City.

Nicholas P. Trist

The chief clerk of the State Department. Together with General Scott, he arranged for a armistice with Santa Anna at the cost of $10,000.

David Wilmot

The Pennsylvania representative of Congress who introduced the Wilmot Proviso.