The Whigs and Manifest Destiny 1836-1844

Rise of Political Opposition to Andrew Jackson

  • Andrew Jackson's presidency marked a significant shift in American politics.

    • Broke up the status quo established during the "Era of Good Feelings."

    • Established the Democratic Party and became known as the "common man" president.

    • Advocated for universal white male suffrage, granting voting rights to all white males—previously unprecedented.

Major Events During Jackson's Presidency

  • Indian Removal Act:

    • Facilitation of the displacement of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands.

    • Criticism of Jackson for his application of this policy.

  • Nullification Crisis:

    • Controversy arising from South Carolina's declaration to ignore federal tariffs.

    • Jackson's response included threats of civil war, which led to a compromise.

  • Bank War:

    • Jackson's strong opposition to the Bank of the United States, which he deemed as corrupt and unconstitutional.

    • Jackson believed in a monetary system based on coinage (gold/silver) rather than paper money.

    • He perceived banks as exploitative and corrupt, often referring to their practices as "scamming the public."

    • Initiated the removal of federal funds from the Bank of the United States and dispersed them into state banks, termed as "pet banks."

    • The political motivation behind this was favoritism toward banks aligned with his Democratic Party, ignoring sound financial practices.

    • This unregulated banking system led to eventual financial collapse and panic, known as the financial crisis of 1837.

Formation of the Whig Party

  • A political coalition arose in opposition to Jackson, organized primarily by Henry Clay.

    • The party, known as the Whigs, emerged to counteract Jackson's policies, particularly his stance against the national bank.

    • Diverse opinions within the Whig Party, encompassing both northern bankers and southern individuals opposed to Jackson's nullification actions.

  • Views on Slavery:

    • Post-Jackson, the Democratic Party became increasingly associated with pro-slavery policies leading up to the Civil War.

    • Ironically, while the Whig Party opposed Jackson, they took a neutral position on slavery to maintain southern support and avoid internal division.

The Election of 1836 and its Aftermath

  • Jackson's handpicked successor, Martin Van Buren, won the 1836 election but faced immediate economic turmoil exacerbated by Jackson's policies.

Election of 1840 and the Presidency of William Henry Harrison

  • The Whigs managed to win the presidency in 1840.

    • Candidate: William Henry Harrison, a former war hero.

    • Election concerns about Harrison's age and vitality culminated in a lengthy and dramatic inaugural address, leading to his untimely death.

  • John Tyler became president after Harrison's death, representing a faction of the Whig Party that conflicted in ideology.

    • Tyler was pro-slavery, diverging from the Whig's general position.

Manifest Destiny and Expansionism

  • Manifest Destiny emerged as a significant nationalistic sentiment, promoting the idea that Americans were destined to expand westward across North America.

    • Farmers and settlers moved en masse to regions such as Oregon, California, and Texas, struggling against difficult terrains and weather.

  • Oregon Trail:

    • Thousands traveled the Oregon Trail with similar motives for land and agricultural opportunity.

    • American settlers increased demographics in Oregon, overshadowing British settlers.

  • Texas Independence:

    • Following a pro-American settlement initiative led by Stephen F. Austin, Texas became a contentious issue after American settlers drifted from Mexico's control.

    • The rise of tensions culminated in the Texas Revolution against the dictatorship of Santa Ana.

    • Key battles included the Battle of the Alamo and San Jacinto, leading to Texan independence.

    • Texas' independence was recognized, albeit contentiously, with the claim to the Rio Grande as its boundary leading to future conflicts with Mexico.

  • Texas as a Republic:

    • Texas operated as an independent republic from 1836 to 1845 before joining the United States, facing ongoing slavery-related political obstacles.

Political Climate Leading to the Mexican-American War

  • Massive Expansion:

    • John Tyler and later James K. Polk pushed for the annexation of Texas, capitalizing on the wave of Manifest Destiny.

  • Polk's election in 1844 centered on pro-expansionist policies, promoting the idea of Texas' incorporation into the United States.

    • Contrasted with Henry Clay, who originally opposed Texas annexation but later vacillated on his stance, possibly losing the election as a result.

Summary of Repercussions on Slavery

  • Throughout these events, the increasing tensions over slavery emerged as a central issue, affecting political alignments and future legislation.

    • The emergence of the Liberty Party, a minor abolitionist party, foreshadowed growing divisions over slavery within the nation.

  • Ultimately, the expansionist policies, coupled with the Whigs' conflicting stances, set the stage for deeper conflicts surrounding slavery, which would ultimately contribute to the American Civil War.