Ch. 17 Notes PDF

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Kevin Hou

Chapter 17 Notes

12-6-17

The Accession of “Tyler Too”  

William Henry Harrison was elected president in 1841, but died before he finished his first term. John Tyler was his V.P. and became president. John Tyler was accused of being a democrat in Whig clothing because he abandoned the Jacksonian republic for the Whigs because he believed Jackson was to dictatorial.

John Tyler: A President Without a Party 

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The Whigs quickly brought up their nationalistic agenda. o A new Bank of the U.S. and ended the independent treasury system were proposed.  Tyler vetoed the bank legislature. The Whigs formally expelled Tyler from their party. o Tyler reluctantly signed the Tariff of 1842 when he was under pressure.

A War of Words with Britain 

Hatred towards the British became especially heated by 1842. o At the bottom of the drama was the fact that the redcoats fought the Americans in two major wars. o Also, British literary works contained propaganda making fun of American culture and politics.  Known as the “third war with England”, the war of words in journals and newspapers was especially heated. o American ship, Caroline, was set on fire by British insurgents in 1837.

Manipulating the Maine Maps 

Small scale lumberjack clash dubbed the Aroostook War was about British and American lumberjacks skirmishing over land in Maine. o Problem was solved when British were given the land in Maine and the U.S. was given land in Minnesota. The land given to the U.S. would prove to be valuable when iron ore was discovered there.

The Lone Star of Texas Shines Alone  

By 1844, Mexico still recognized Texas as a province in revolt and threatened to go to war with the U.S. if we decided to gather the republic. British wanted Texas to remain an independent entity. o This would restrict the rapidly growing U.S. and also offer a piece of land as a buffer state between U.S. territory and the British new world possessions.

The Belated Texas Nuptials 

Tyler, wanting to have some sort of major accomplishment, pushed aggressively for the annexation of Texas. o Texas was annexed in 1845.

Kevin Hou

Chapter 17 Notes

12-6-17

Oregon Fever Populates Oregon 

British and Americans struggled to obtain Oregon. o British and Americans agreed to share the land.  This changed in the 1840’s when American population in Oregon exploded.  British now had to quickly find a peaceful solution for this growing problem.

A Mandate for Manifest Destiny  

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Election of 1844 was between James K Polk of the democrats and Henry Clay of the Whigs. Campaign of 1844 was part of the Manifest Destiny. o This was a belief that god had manifestly destined the American people for a hemispheric career and that we would irresistibly spread our democratic institution across the entire continent. “Fifty-four forty or fight” was the campaign slogan of the Whigs: they wanted to extend American territory up to the 54-50 line.

Polk the Purposeful 

James Polk developed a 4-point program of his agendas. He was successful in passing these programs. 1. Lower the Tariff  Walker Tariff of 1846 rolled back on the rates of the Tariff of 1842. 2. Restore the independent treasury system that the Whigs dropped in 1841.  Success occurred in 1846. 3. Acquire California (Mexican Cession) 4. Acquire Oregon  England reluctantly proposed the 49-degree line and the senate speedily agreed.  Some diehards wanted the 54-50 line, but the US could not fight the Mexicans and the British at the same time.

Misunderstandings with Mexico  

The US wanted California as a gateway to Asia. We offered Mexico 25 million dollars but they rejected the offer due to tense relations over Texas.

American Blood on American Soil 

Polk wanted congress to declare war on Mexico but Congress wanted Mexico to shed blood before that happened. o Polk sent U.S. troops to the Rio Grande and bloodshed occurred on U.S. soil.

Kevin Hou

Chapter 17 Notes



12-6-17

Abraham Lincoln in Congress demanded the spot where the bloodshed happened because of a distrust in the story. These were known as the spot resolutions.

Fighting Mexico for Peace 

Polk paid Santa Anna of Mexico a 100,000$ bribe just to talk. o The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in 1848. This was known as the best treaty the U.S. ever signed.  U.S. would buy California for $15 million.

Profit and Loss in Mexico ...