Fiasco of Harrison & John Tyler

Financial Reform (Tariff of 1842)

“3rd War”

The Accession of “Tyler Too” * Daniel Webster (sec of state) and Henry Clay (leader of Whigs in senate) * Wanted to control presidency of Henry Harrison * Harrison died 4 weeks into presidency * This disrupted plans of Webster and Clay * John Tyler – Vice President * Took over after Harrison’s death * Democrat at heart * Contradicted most of the Whig’s ideas
John Tyler: A President without a Party * Whigs introduced many policy changes (with Harrison and eventually Tyler) * Financial Reform * Independent treasury system ended * Fiscal Bank * Create a new BUS * Vetoed by Tyler * Fiscal Corporation * Vetoed by Tyler * Tyler now rejected by Whig party * Reluctantly signed Tariff of 1842 because of the government’s need for revenue
A War of Words with Britain * 19th Century had lots of Public disdain for Britain * “3rd war with England” * Fought with editorials in papers * 1837 – small rebellion in Canada

American ship ‘Caroline’

Aroostook War

Mexico not recognizing Texas
A War of Words with Britain (cont) * Rebellion supported by Americans but failed because of no Canadian backing * 1837 – American Ship “Caroline” was sank by British forces * Carrying military supplies * Washington made ineffective protests against attack * 1841 – British officials offered asylum in Bahamas * 130 Virginian slaves who rebelled and captured American ship “Creole”
Manipulating the Maine Maps * 1842 – British wanted to build road linking seaport Halifax and Quebec * Proposed road ran through northern territory of Maine * Skirmishes broke out between locals * Aroostook War // ^^^ * London Foreign Office sent Lord Ashburton to Washington to settle dispute * Ashburton and Daniel Webster negotiated the road to be ran through Canadian territory
The Lone Star of Texas Shines Alone * 1836-1844, Mexico considered Texas as one of its’ provinces which was in revolt * Mexico would not recognize Texas’ independence * Mexico threatened war if America protected Texas * Texas had treaties with France, Holland, & Belgium.

Democrat in elec. Of 1844 & Texas (28th state)

The Belated Texas Nuptials * Texas was leading issue in presidential election of 1844 * Democrats * Pro-expansion * Supported annexation of Texas * Whigs against it * James Polk won election * Tyler took that (^^) as sign to acquire Texas before he left office * Signed resolution in 1845 which invited Texas to be 28th state of US
Oregon Fever Populates Oregon * Spain, Russia, Britain, & US all here at one time * Spain gave up territory to America in Treaty of Florida (1819) * Russia gave up land in treaties of 1824/25 * Britain north of Columbia river, small population, did not want to give up claim * This became issue in election of 1844
A Mandate (?) for Manifest Destiny * Election of 1844 * Whigs // Henry Clay * Dems // James Polk (winner) * Speaker of House (4 years) * Gov of Tenn (2 years) * Young Hickory * Protect Texas * Avoided issue of slavery * Ideas of Manifest Destiny spread * 1840’s & 1850’s * American’s felt that God had destined them to spread their democratic institutions across entire continent (dems supported)

Polk the Purposeful * Polk had 4 main goals * Lower tariff * Restore independent treasury * Whigs dropped in 1841 after winning presidency * Restored in 1846 * Acquisition of California * Settlement of Oregon territory without dispute * 49th Parallel * No shots fired * Robert J. Walker // sec of treasury to Polk * Devised Walker tariff of 1846 * Reduced tariff from 32% to 25%
Misunderstandings with Mexico * Pop. of Cali in 1845 – consisted of Spanish-Americans and Indians * Polk wanted to buy Cali (Bear Flag Republic) from Mexico * Relations with Mexico were poor because of Texas annexation * John Slidell * Sent by Polk to Mexico in 1845 * Had task of buying California with 25 million to offer * Rejected
American Blood on American Soil * January 13, 1846 * Polk ordered Gen. Zach Taylor & 4,000 soldiers to Rio Grande * Polk requested war in May (declared) * ^^ accused of provoking war

Fighting Mexico for Peace * Nick Trist * Chief clerk of state department * Signed treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo * Feb 2nd, 1848 * Ceded Texas & Cali for 15 million * Half of Mexico in all * Whigs opposed treaty because they opposed the war * Expansionists opposed treaty because they wanted all of Mexico