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Jacksonian Democrats and the Rise of the Whig Party

• The Democratic-Republican Party splintered with the rise of Andrew Jackson, leading to the emergence of the Jacksonian Democrats.

• Jacksonian Democrats: Supporters of Andrew Jackson who eventually became known as simply Democrats, forming a political party that persists to this day.

• The Whig Party: Arose to challenge the Democrats and Andrew Jackson. Their primary unifying factor was opposition to Andrew Jackson due to his controversial actions as president.

• King Andrew: Andrew Jackson was criticized for allegedly unconstitutional actions and was called "King Andrew the first", depicted in cartoons with a crown and scepter, standing on a torn US Constitution.

• The Whig party comprised opponents of Jackson with diverse political views; their shared animosity towards Jackson was their main unifying factor.

• The Whig party's name was a play on words, referencing the British Whig party, which opposed the monarchy.

• The reaction paper assignment discusses Jackson's presidency, its ups and downs, and the political opponents he developed.

Jackson's Economic Legacy and the Election of 1840

• Economic Collapse: An economic downturn occurred near the end and immediately after Jackson's presidency, leading many to blame the Democrats.

• Martin Van Buren: Jackson's successor, whose presidency coincided with the economic collapse; the Whig party used this to their political advantage.

• Recruiting Tool: The Whig party capitalized on the economic misery to gain support.

• Election of 1840: William Henry Harrison, a Whig, won the presidency, marking the first time a Whig was elected president of the United States.

• Battle of Tippecanoe: William Henry Harrison was known for his military victory at the Battle of Tippecanoe against Native Americans led by Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa (the Prophet).

• Military Heroes: In the past, Americans often elected military heroes as presidents, such as George Washington, Andrew Jackson, and William Henry Harrison.

The Short Presidency of William Henry Harrison

• Shortest Term: William Henry Harrison holds the record for the shortest term in presidential history, dying within one month of taking office.

• Inauguration Day: Harrison's inauguration took place on a cold, blustery day in the capital with near-freezing temperatures and sleet.

• Oldest President: At 67 years old, Harrison was the oldest person to win the presidency at the time, leading to some people calling him "old granny."

• Manly Image: Harrison wanted to project an image of being a "manly man," contrasting with Martin Van Buren, who wore mittens.

• Inaugural Speech: Harrison delivered a nearly two-hour-long speech without a coat or scarf in the inclement weather.

• Post-Speech Tour: After the speech, he toured the capital, further exposing himself to the cold and rain.

• Illness and Death: Harrison developed a cough and tickle in his throat, leading to debate, but most initially believed he died of pneumonia, though some historians now suggest it may have been a stomach bug from contaminated water.

• The Prophet's Curse: A belief that presidents elected in 20-year intervals after 1840 face misfortune, which some connect to Harrison's death.

John Tyler's Accidental Presidency and the Whig Party's Weakness

• Succession: Harrison's death led Vice President John Tyler to become the tenth President of the United States.

• First Succession: This marked the first time a president had ever died in office and was succeeded by the vice president.

• Constitutional Interpretation: People at the time debated whether Tyler should fully assume the presidency or if new elections should be held.

• Acting President: Some suggested Tyler was merely an "acting president" and not fully vested with the office's powers.

• Tyler's Assertion: John Tyler insisted on being addressed as "President John Tyler" and asserted all the duties and responsibilities of the office.

• Tyler's Background: Tyler had previously been a Democrat and supported Andrew Jackson, but he left the party over one specific issue.

• Whig in Name Only (WINO): Tyler was described as a Whig in name only because he agreed with the Democrats on most issues.

• Accidency: Tyler's ascendancy to the presidency was considered an accident, leading some to call him "his Accidency."

Tyler's Break with the Whig Party and Focus on Texas

• National Bank Issue: Henry Clay urged Tyler to bring back a third Bank of the United States.

• Tyler's Vetoes: Tyler vetoed the bill to create a third National Bank twice, clashing with the Whig party's platform.

• Bank Killer: Tyler was dubbed the "real bank killer" because he vetoed two chances to bring back a national bank, surpassing Jackson's opposition to the bank.

• Party Abandonment: The Whig party disowned Tyler, with cabinet members resigning in protest.

• Man Without a Party: Tyler became isolated, lacking support from both Whigs and Democrats, leading him to be called the "free agent president."

• Texas Focus: Lacking political support, Tyler turned his attention to Texas, which was then an independent republic.

• Texas: Before becoming a U.S. state, Texas was an independent country.

Texas Independence and the Slavery Issue

• Texan Population: Texas was largely populated by white Southerners who brought cotton and slaves into the territory.

• Allegiance to Mexico: As a state of Mexico, immigrants in Texas had to swear allegiance to the Mexican government and convert to Catholicism, though most Americans didn't intend to honor the oath.

• Texas Revolution: American Southerners in Texas revolted against the Mexican government and successfully split away, establishing an independent republic.

• Annexation Request: As an independent republic, Texas requested annexation to The United States; however, the request was initially declined due to fear of war with Mexico and reigniting the slavery controversy.

• Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren both declined to annex Texas due to these concerns.

Tyler's Pursuit of Texas Annexation and the Election of 1844

• Tyler's Opportunity: John Tyler saw Texas as a chance to make a significant impact and add it to The United States.

• Economic Potential: Tyler recognized the economic potential of Texas, especially its cotton production.

• Secretary of State: Tyler sent his Secretary of State to negotiate with Texas, which agreed to annexation.

• Congressional Opposition: The first attempt to annex Texas failed in Congress due to Northern opposition related to slavery.

• Election of 1844: Texas became the central issue in the presidential election, with voters focusing on whether The United States should annex Texas.

• Henry Clay: Henry Clay sought the Whig nomination for president promising not to annex Texas, was the most famous politician in the world.

• Martin Van Buren: Martin Van Buren was the Democratic frontrunner, opposing the annexation of Texas as well for moral reasons (he was anti-slavery).

• As soon as Van Buren said not to Texas, the democratic party said no to mark when Buren. They said he's unacceptable.

James K. Polk and Manifest Destiny

• Dark Horse Candidate: James K. Polk, a dark horse candidate from Tennessee, secured the Democratic nomination.

• Young Hickory: Polk was presented as a younger version of Andrew Jackson ("Young Hickory") to appeal to Democratic voters.

• Expansionist Platform: Polk advocated for the annexation of both Texas and Oregon, framing himself as an expansionist rather than solely pro-slavery.

• Fifty-Four Forty or Fight: Polk's supporters used the slogan "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight" regarding the northern boundary of Oregon.

• Polk picked the winning side of an issue.

• Election Victory: Polk won the presidency, campaigning on the promise of annexing Texas and Oregon.

• Tyler's Role: John Tyler felt slighted by Polk's victory, as he had initiated the Texas annexation process.

Manifest Destiny and Territorial Expansion

• Manifest Destiny: The belief that The United States had a divine right to expand and possess the entire continent.

• Consequences: Manifest Destiny led to the displacement of Native Americans and Mexicans.

• Polk's Accomplishments: James K. Polk added more territory to The United States than almost any other president, including Texas, Oregon, California, and New Mexico.

• One of the things Polk said when he was running for president is, I only want one term.

• Mexican War Antagonism: We're also going to make this issue as antagonistic as possible with Mexico.

• Polk always wanted to look like he was prone to peace. But Pope is always able to say, I tried peace. I said the guy. They rejected my guy. So he's he's always able to say that.

The Mexican-American War

• Provocation: Polk aimed to provoke Mexico into firing the first shots to justify a war.

• American blood has been shed on American soil.

• Territorial Dispute: The United States and Mexico disputed the southern border of Texas, with the US claiming the Rio Grande and Mexico claiming the Nueces River.

• Diplomatic Efforts: Polk sent a diplomat to negotiate the purchase of the Rio Grande as the southern border, but Mexico rejected the offer for California and New Mexico.

• Military Deployment: Polk sent General Zachary Taylor and troops to build a fort at the mouth of the Rio Grande, in disputed territory.

• First Shots: Mexican troops crossed the Rio Grande and clashed with American troops, leading to the first shots of the Mexican-American War.

• Polk's Justification: Polk declared that "American blood has been shed on American soil" to Congress, leading to a declaration of war.

• Congressional Opposition: Some, like Congressman Abraham Lincoln, opposed the war, arguing that Polk had provoked it.

U.S. Strategy and Victory in the Mexican-American War

• U.S. Strategy: Three key generals with distinct missions:

  • Zachary Taylor: To secure the border with Mexico.

  • Stephen Kearney: To secure California and New Mexico.

  • Winfield Scott: To invade deep into the heart of Mexico.

• Winfield Scott invaded deep into the center of Mexico. Winfield Scott is one of the few military geniuses this country. And Winfield Scott, you're leaving your country and landing with an army and enemy territory and you've lost all communication with your country at that time.

• Mexican Defeats: Mexico lost every major battle in the war, leading to the capture of Mexico City by American troops.

• Mexican Motivation: Mexico initially believed it could win due to having a larger army.

• U.S. Advantages: Apart from leadership, key difference for the US was its superior weapons technology, including cannons and guns, and industrial powerhouse. Mexico was still kinda late to the technology. And we'll blow their asses up from a distance because you can't even get close to us because we have better weapons than you do.

• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: Treaty that ended the war with Mexican defeat.
  The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo treaty that ends the conflict is the treaty, you know, actually say?
  Treaty of Guadalupe Hibargo

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and its Consequences

• The Rio Grande is the southern border of Texas.

• US gets California and New Mexico.

  • Offered American citizenship automatically. Give us $15,000,000.

• Key outcomes of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (Treaty of Guadalupe Hibargo):

  • The Rio Grande was established as the southern border of Texas.

  • The United States acquired California and New Mexico, encompassing a large portion of the present-day American West.

  • Mexican citizens living in the annexed territories were offered American citizenship.

  • The United States paid Mexico \$15,000,000 as compensation, which some considered "pity money."

• United States and Mexico should have taken the original deal.

• Mexican Perspective: Mexico should have accepted the original \$30,000,000 offer before the war.

• U.S. Dominance: The United States emerged as the dominant power in the Western Hemisphere.

• Casualties: The Unites Sates lost 10 -13 thousand people because of the war mostly to sickness and Mexico lost 50,000 people approximately.

The Wilmot Proviso and the Slavery Debate

• War's End: Americans want to know our we going have slavery in this territoty?
  Oh, no. the Wilmot Proviso and the slavery debate. and that issue we dredge up time and again. Like, yeah, we dealt with the slavery issue in Texas. We dealt with the slavery issue in Missouri. What should we do about it.

• Slavery Question: Acquisition of new territories led to intense debate over the expansion of slavery.

• Wilmot Proviso: Congressman David Wilmot proposed that slavery should be prohibited in any territory acquired from Mexico.

• We're just gonna keep the same rules. Mexico slavery is already illegal in Mexico. We're adding a piece of Mexico. Keep slavery illegal.

• House Passage: The Wilmot Proviso passed in the House of Representatives, where the North had a majority due to its larger population.

• Senate Stalemate: It stalled in the Senate due to the equal balance between slave and free states.

• Southern Opposition: Southerners opposed the Wilmot Proviso, leading to threats of secession and the unglueing of the country.

Alternative Views on Slavery in New Territories

• Abolition of the Wilmot provisio to fund the war.

• Southern Position: The Wilmot Provo was an example.

• Extreme Southern Position: John Calhoun said slavery should spread to all the territories we gain from Mexico. Slavery should spread everywhere in those new territories we get. Slaves by law are defined as Property. Property.

• Slaves are considered property. Therefore, they're protected by the constitution. People should be able to bring their slaves anywhere they want to. There are some southern southerners who don't wanna go as far as John Calhoun.