John Tyler

2. John Tyler • W.H. Harrison dies 4 weeks into office • John Tyler • Democrat in Whig clothing (only a Whig b/c he hated Jackson) • Clay and Webster (leading Whigs) expected a puppet (WHH)  surprise!! • “His Accidency” • “Executive Ass”

3. John Tyler • Whig Congress • Passed bill ending Independent Treasury System – Tyler signs • Passed creation of a “Fiscal Bank” – Tyler vetoes • Tried again – “Fiscal Corporation” – vetoed • Protective tariff (also called for distributing $$ from sale of Western land to states ) – vetoed • Tariff of 1842 – lowered tariff rates to 32%, took out $$ distribution – Tyler signs

4. As you read…take note - Problems with Britain Caroline affair Creole affair “Aroostook War” – boundary dispute in Maine, Webster-Ashburton Treaty

5. Texas • Independent since 1836 • Mexico refuses to recognize • Forced to maintain expensive military for protection • Became an issue in Election of 1844 (Clay vs. Polk) • Polk wins Democrat– pro-annexation of Texas • Tyler sees outcome of election as a mandate – annexes Texas as lame duck • Joint resolution (instead of Senate treaty) • 1845 – Texas invited to become 28th state

6. Oregon • Boundaries in dispute • US and GB

7. Oregon • 1840s – “Oregon Fever” • Oregon Trail • American population in Oregon explodes! • Greatly outnumbers Britain

9. Manifest Destiny – 1840s Sense of mission God had destined US to expand Land greed + ideals

11. James K. Polk – Dark Horse - Democrat • Four election promises– all achieved! • Lower tariff – Walker Tariff of 1846 • Restore Independent Treasury • Acquire California • Settle Oregon question (“54 40’ or fight!”)

12. Oregon • Oregon Compromise Treaty of 1846 • Agreed on 49th parallel as boundary • Good compromise – no fighting! • Not everyone was satisfied.

13. Polk wants California… • Part of his campaign promises • More and more Americans are living there (but still a minority) • Fertile land • False rumors about Britain trying to buy or seize CA • Polk sends John Slidell to Mexico City as minister in 1845 • Offer $25 million for CA • Mexico would not even let him present proposal – Polk mad!

14. Issues with Mexico • As soon as US annexes Texas – Mexico breaks diplomatic relations • Withdraws their minister from Washington • Boundary dispute in Texas • Mexico claims Nueces River • US claims Rio Grande – not very legit

16. Issues with Mexico • Polk defends Texas claim to Rio Grande boundary • Sends General Zachary Taylor to patrol – summer 1845 • But North of Nueces – out of disputed zone • Polk made plans to ask for war on basis of: • Unpaid claims from Mexico to US • Slidell’s rejection

17. War breaks out Polk sends troops over Nueces to Rio Grande For months Mexicans refuse to fight Finally Mexican troops attacked Polk: “hostilities had been forced upon the country by shedding of American blood on American soil”

18. War breaks out • Spot Resolutions • Abe Lincoln – representative • Where was precise spot on which blood had been shed? • War declared! • Did Polk provoke war?

19. Fighting the War • Polk directed most of war himself • Main goal was to get CA, then end war • US – tough fight, but major victories

21. Major generals • Zachary Taylor – “Old Rough and Ready” • “Hero of Buena Vista” • Winfield Scott – “Old Fuss and Feathers”

22. Peace Agreement • Nicholas Trist sent to negotiate a settlement – Feb 2, 1848 • Bribed by Santa Anna - $10,000 – Polk furious • Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo • Confirmed US title to Texas • Mexico to accept Rio Grande border • Mexico to cede New Mexico and California to US • US would assume claims of American citizens against Mexico • US to pay Mexico $15,000

23. Effects of Mexican War • Not everyone happy • Some expansionists wanted “All of Mexico!” • Many northerners thought war was provoked by southern “slavocracy” • Huge area of land added to US • Good practice for military officers (Lee and Grant) • Caused bitterness on part of Mexicans and Latin America • Reopened slavery issue

24. The Wilmot Proviso David Wilmot – Pennsylvania Rep Amendment to a request by Polk for $2 million to buy peace with Mexico (before war ended) Wilmot: no slaves would be in territory obtained from Mexico Passed House, failed Senate Symbol of intensity of slavery issue!!

25. Mexican War Recap • 1848 – war ends, but heats up sectional debates • What to do with slavery in the new territories? • North – supports Wilmot Proviso • Did not pass, but issue remains • Threatens to split Whigs and Democrats • US politics could split along North/South lines

26. Should slavery be expanded to Mexican Cession? • North  No! • Should not introduce what is not there • Northwest Ordinance of 1787 and MO Compromise as justification • South  Yes! • It is constitutional • Southerners cannot be prevented from taking their personal property with them to Mexican Cession • Northern Democrats - ?? • Popular Sovereignty • None of Congress’ business – let the settlers decide for themselves (democracy)

27. Should slavery be expanded to Mexican Cession? • Fire Eaters – Secede! • North will never treat us equally • North will launch attack an ruin us • Secession NOW! Don’t wait – it will not get better

28. The Election of 1848 • Democrats: Lewis Cass • Polk sick : ( • Democratic platform ignored issue of slavery – didn’t want to upset anyone • Cass was outspoken: popular sovereignty • Popular Sovereignty: People of a territory should determine the status of slavery (under principles of Constitution) • Politicians see this is as a nice compromise • Public likes the democratic feel • Issue: could spread slavery

29. Election of 1848 • Whigs: Zachary Taylor – war hero • Whigs also avoided controversial issues, like slavery • ZT owned slaves • Free Soil Party: Martin Van Buren • “free soil, free speech, free labor, free men” • Anti-Slavery • Federal aid for internal improvements • Thought slavery took away opportunities for white mobility

30. Election of 1848 Controversial issues avoided among Whigs and Democrats. Election is centered around personalities. Zachary Taylor wins!

31. California Gold Rush Begins 1848 “Gold Fever!” Some got rich, but many did not Made slavery issue more immediate Many men that go are low-lives Most CA citizens want an adequate state government Draft Constitution that outlawed slavery – applied for admission as state Southerners object!

32. The Sectional Balance • At this point: 15 North/15 South • South has majority in Cabinet, Supreme Court, many former presidents • Outnumbered in House, equal in Senate • Admission of CA would upset balance • Might establish a precedent for rest of territory • North wants end of slavery in DC • South upset by loss of runaway slaves • Underground Railroad

33. Compromise Needed • Immortal Trio: Henry Clay, John C Calhoun, Daniel Webster • 1850 – CA asking to be a state • “fire-eaters” in South threatening secession • Trio asking for compromise between North and South • William H. Seward (NY) – argues against compromise • “higher law” than Constitution – God – anti-slavery • Taylor appears not willing to accept a compromise bill

34. Compromise Needed Curveball: Taylor dies! Millard Fillmore succeeds – signs compromise measures (after 7 months of debate) Country still divided over issues, but calms down “Second Era of Good Feelings” – talks of secession subside. People want compromise to be final – not going to happen

35. Compromise of 1850 • California admitted as a free state • Tipped sectional balance to North • Territories of New Mexico and Utah – open to slavery through popular sovereignty • Texas – disputed territory taken from them • DC – slave trade abolished, not slavery

36. Fugitive Slave Law (part of Compromise of 1850) • “Bloodhound Bill” • North hates!! • Fleeing slaves couldn’t testify on their own behalf, denied a jury trial • Dangerous precedent for whites? • Federal commissioner who handled case would get $5 if slave was freed, $10 if not • Bribe?? • Anyone who aided slaves could be fined

37. Fugitive Slave Law - Effects • Many moderates become anti-slavery • MA makes it illegal for anyone to enforce • Nullification of a federal law? • Other states pass “personal liberty laws” • Denied jail to federal officials • Increased animosity of North towards South • South angry because North won’t enforce

38. ID & Significance Uncle Tom’s Cabin Manifest Destiny California Gold Rush Wilmot Proviso Caroline Affair