The Accession of “Tyler Too”
Whig leaders Henry Clay and Daniel Webster planned to control newly elected President William H. Harrison.
Harrison died of pneumonia just four weeks after taking office, leading to John Tyler becoming president.
Tyler didn't support the Whig party's pro-bank and tariff policies, aligning more with Democratic views.
John Tyler: A President Without a Party
After Harrison's win, Whigs pushed for financial reform and ending the independent treasury system, which Tyler signed.
A new Bank of the U.S. bill was vetoed by Tyler after Clay failed to work with him.
Tyler's cabinet almost entirely resigned, and he vetoed a proposed Whig tariff.
Revised Whig tariff was signed by Tyler out of necessity but at lower rates (32%).
A War of Words with England
Anti-British sentiment grew in the U.S. due to historical conflicts.
The Caroline incident in 1837 heightened tensions but was not a military conflict.
Events escalated when British officials in the Bahamas offered asylum to revolting slaves from the ship Creole.
Manipulating the Maine Maps
Maine and England had border disputes, which led to the “Aroostook War”.
The Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842 resolved some of these issues, giving the U.S. land and allowing a route for Britain.
The Lone Star of Texas Shines Alone
Texas, independent since 1836, made treaties with European countries, causing concern in the U.S.
Tensions existed over Texas’s potential alignment with Britain which could threaten American expansionism.
The Belated Texas Nuptials
James K. Polk's election in 1844 was seen as a mandate for westward expansion.
Texas was formally invited in 1845 to join the U.S. as its 28th state.
Oregon Fever Populates Oregon
Oregon stretched from California to the 54° 40' line, contested by both the U.S. and Britain.
The Oregon Trail became a popular route for settlers in the 1840s.
A Mandate (?) for Manifest Destiny
James K. Polk campaigned on manifest destiny, the idea of U.S. expansion.
He won the election against Henry Clay, who couldn't clearly define his position on Texas.
Polk the Purposeful
Polk outlined a 4-point mission to lower tariffs, restore the treasury, settle the Oregon border, and acquire California.
He succeeded in these goals, including lowering the tariff and settling the Oregon border at the 49th parallel.
Misunderstandings with Mexico
Following Texas's annexation, relations with Mexico deteriorated.
Polk sent John Slidell to propose buying California, but Mexico refused his mission.
American Blood on American (?) Soil
Tension led to the Mexican-American War beginning in April 1846 after Mexican troops engaged American soldiers.
Lincoln questioned the reasons for the war in his “Spot Resolution”.
The Mastering of Mexico
Polk aimed to end the war and obtain California by defeating Mexico.
U.S. forces achieved key victories under leaders like Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott.
Fighting Mexico for Peace
Negotiations resulted in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in February 1848, where Mexico ceded significant territory to the U.S. for $15 million.
Profit and Loss in Mexico
The Mexican-American War had old wounds exposed regarding slavery, paving the way for the Civil War.
The Wilmot Proviso aimed to prevent slavery in the Mexican Cession territories but failed in the Senate.
Bitter feelings remained in Mexico over lost land as it contributed to future conflicts in the U.S.