Ch 17 Notes

Territorial expansion significantly influenced American diplomacy and politics.
The Oregon Country attracted settlers, influencing relations with Britain, which claimed land in the Pacific Northwest.
The desire to annex Texas heightened tensions with Mexico, which viewed Texas as a rebellious province.
The pursuit of California as a prize led to warfare between the United States and Mexico.
The Mexican-American War resulted in extensive territorial gains for the U.S., raising critical questions about the status of slavery in these territories.

In 1841, a large number of hard-cider Whigs clamored for governmental positions post-Harrison's election.
President William Henry Harrison, perceived as a figurehead, was overshadowed by influential Whig leaders, Daniel Webster and Henry Clay.
Harrison's presidency was extremely short; he died of pneumonia after only four weeks, leading to John Tyler's ascension to the presidency.

John Tyler, a Virginia gentleman, was described as tall, slender, and principled, with a contentious political background.
Tyler had switched from the Democratic Party to the Whig Party, which diluted his loyalty to the Whig platform.
His presidency stood out because he conflicted with major Whig priorities, notably regarding a national bank and protective tariffs.
After vetoing key pieces of Whig legislation, including a national bank and a tariff set for revenue generation, Tyler faced significant backlash, leading to expulsions from the Whig Party and tension with Congress.

Anti-British sentiment was pervasive in the U.S. during the early 19th century, exacerbated by memories of the Anglo-American wars.
This animosity included cultural critiques from British travelers regarding American society.
Moreover, a failed Canadian insurrection broadly rallied American support whilst inflaming U.S.-British tensions, notably due to incidents like the Caroline affair.
The Aroostook War over Maine boundaries nearly escalated tensions further, but was resolved diplomatically through the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842.

Texas existed independently after its revolution in 1836 but faced ongoing threats from Mexico and thus sought alliances with European powers.
British interest in Texas was partly defensive, seeking to curb American expansionism and support the region as a counterbalance.
Congress ultimately passed a joint resolution for Texas annexation under Tyler, leading to tensions with Mexico, which claimed the territory.

Texas’s annexation led directly to heightened tensions with Mexico, which refused to recognize Texas’s independence.
In 1846, President Polk sought to acquire California and resolve boundary disputes, particularly regarding Texas. This led to military buildups along the Rio Grande.
A significant clash occurred when Mexican troops attacked American forces, prompting Congress to declare war on Mexico under pretexts of defense and territorial integrity.

General Zachary Taylor led a successful campaign against Mexican forces, culminating in the pivotal Battle of Buena Vista.
Following Taylor, General Winfield Scott launched an invasion towards Mexico City, achieving success against a poorly coordinated Mexican defense.
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) formally concluded the war, ceding vast territories including California and New Mexico, in exchange for $15 million and the acceptance of claims from U.S. citizens against Mexico.

The Mexican War resulted in a substantial increase in U.S. territory by about one-third, including the Mexican Cession, which sparked immediate intensification of the slavery debate.
The Wilmot Proviso attempted to ban slavery in new territories acquired, but faced sharp opposition from Southern politicians and failed to pass.
The war is often perceived as a precursor to the American Civil War, as animosities regarding slavery and territorial expansion became increasingly contentious.

Notable individuals included: John Tyler, James K. Polk, Stephen W. Kearny, John C. Frémont, Winfield Scott, Nicholas P. Trist, and David Wilmot.
Key events included: the Aroostook War, the annexation of Texas, the Wilmot Proviso, and the major battles of the Mexican War including Buena Vista and the capture of Mexico City.

## Overall Impact of the Era
- The principles of Manifest Destiny defined the American ethos of the time, blending themes of land acquisition with perceived divine providence.
- This period marked a critical moment in American history, paving the way for vast territorial expansion and the seismic shifts that would follow in American society and politics, culminating with the Civil War.