Chapter 13Chapter 13

Manifest Destiny: An Empire for Liberty or Slavery?

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Growth as the American WayGrowth as the American Way

Growth became watchword of America Land acquired through annexation, negotiation, and war

“Young America” movement and “Manifest Destiny”

Relentless pressure on limits of Indian settlements

Appeal of West as source of expansion Oregon and California were especially attractive Missions and presidios in California

Mormon migration to Utah, 1847 Joseph Smith, Zion and polygamy

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Overland Trails

Republic of TexasRepublic of Texas

At first, Mexican leaders encouraged U.S. settlement in Texas

Restrictions eventually imposed Texans declared and won independence in 1836

The Alamo Battle of San Jacinto Then petitioned for annexation to the United States

Jackson, then Van Buren, refused to act on annexation

After assuming office upon Harrison’s death, Tyler was ready to move

Republic of Texas Republic of Texas (cont)

Annexation treaty negotiated Defeated by northerners in Congress who opposed

expanding slavery Became an issue in election of 1844

Democrat James K. Polk ran on pro-annexationist platform

Both Texas and Oregon Polk won close election

Tyler saw election as mandate for annexation Submitted joint resolution to accomplish it Texas became fifteenth slave state in March 1845

Polk peacefully reached compromise with Britain over Oregon in 1846

Mexican WarMexican War

Polk provoked to acquire California and New Mexico First sought to purchase territories from Mexico Buttress with show of force on Texas–Mexico border

Declaration of war passed in May Almost all Whigs supported, though they had doubts

War was a stunning and complete American victory Zachary Taylor Stephen Kearney and Alexander Doniphan John Fremont Winfield Scott

Mexican WarMexican War (cont)

War generated significant opposition at home Whigs and Northeasterners opposed Wilmot Proviso tried to prevent expansion of slavery

into any territory gained from Mexico Defeated along party line vote in Congress Framed national debate over slavery for next fifteen years

Question of slavery made peace treaty with Mexico difficult U.S. gained California, New Mexico, and favorable Texas

boundary Paid Mexico $15 million in exchange

Wilmot Proviso

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Principal Campaigns of the

Mexican War, 1846–1847

Election of 1848Election of 1848 Many believed election would settle question of

slavery Field of potential candidates was crowded Livery Party opposed expanding slavery, endorsed John P. Hale John C. Calhoun articulated extreme states’ rights position James Buchanan was middle-ground Democrat Lewis Cass championed “popular sovereignty” concept

Democrats nominated Cass Whigs went with Zachary Taylor

Antislavery Whigs bolted and joined Liberty Party

Free-Soil Party created to oppose slavery, choose Van Buren

Taylor won with solid Southern support, with some backing from North

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Free and Slave States and Territories, 1848

Gold Rush and California StatehoodGold Rush and California Statehood

Discovery of gold accelerated timetable for territorial organization Complicated by questions of slavery

Southerners wanted unqualified access for slavery Northerners opposed expansion of slavery into California

Issue heated up even further when Taylor proposed immediate statehood Would have allowed for free state status, as slavery not

then present

Compromise of 1850Compromise of 1850

Henry Clay sought to settle several outstanding questions Paired proposals to unite North and South

California as free state; rest of Mexican cession without restrictions on slavery

Texas boundary settlement to favor New Mexico; assumption of Texas debt

Abolish slave trade in DC; protect slavery there unless Maryland and Virginia consented to abolition

Congress affirmed it had no jurisdiction over interstate slave trade, strong fugitive slave law

Compromise of 1850Compromise of 1850 (cont)

Generated numerous speeches in Congress Most notable from John C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster,

William H. Seward At first, various proposals were lumped together

in one bill Senators and representatives voted against it in order to

kill parts they disliked Stephen Douglas changed tactics and separated

the various components Won support gradually, piece by piece Helped by death of Taylor and replacement by Millard

Fillmore Not the final settlement supporters had hoped for

Fugitive Slave LawFugitive Slave Law

Constitution provided for return of escaped slaves, but controversy had always existed over how Antislavery movement hampered state compliance after

the 1830s Prigg v. Pennsylvania (1842) ruled that enforcement was

entirely a federal responsibility

Some Northern states passed personal liberty laws to prevent recapture of fugitive slaves Underground Railroad

Fugitive Slave LawFugitive Slave Law (cont)

Northerners who did not necessarily oppose slavery opposed return of fugitives

Southerners saw return as matter of honor and rights Law created extensive system for capturing and

returning runaways Abolitionists vowed to resist Even non-abolitionists were shocked at reality of

enforcing the law Led to writing of Uncle Tom’s Cabin in 1851;

published in 1852 Runaway best-seller Wide but hostile readership in South Helped shape an entire generation’s view of slavery

FilibusteringFilibustering

Target of Southern interest for expanding slavery Purchase offer in 1848 rejected by Spain Southerners sought to foster rebellion on the island

Several efforts in the 1850s failed Franklin Pierce entered White House in 1853

Plan to wrest Cuba from Spain instead Ostend Manifesto, 1854 Generated international uproar and domestic furor

Issue part of presidential campaign in 1860 Secessionist crisis followed

South also interested in Central America Exploits of William Walker in Nicaragua

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Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions What is Manifest Destiny? Why was it important

to the U.S. in the 1800s? Is it still important today?

Scrutinize the Mexican War. Why did it start? What was gained in the war? Was it a justifiable war?

What was the Compromise of 1850? What impact did it have on the issue of slavery?

How did Northerners resist the Fugitive Slave Law? How effective was this resistance?