Chapter 17 Reading Guide

Manifest Destiny and Its Legacy: 1841-1848

I.John Tyler: Accidental President

A.The Accession of “Tyler Too”

  1. Why did Harrison’s death mess up all of Webster and Clay’s plans?
  1. Describe Tyler’s background.
  1. How did Tyler differ with the majority wing of the Whig party?

B.John Tyler: A President Without a Party

  1. Why did Tyler veto the new Bank of the U.S.?
  1. How did Tyler affect the tariff of 1842?
  1. Why did Tyler’s cabinet resign? Why didn’t Webster?

II.Conflict With Britain

  1. A War of Words With Britain

Describe in detail how England and America came into conflict during the 1840s. (At least 5 reasons)

  1. Manipulating the Maine Maps
  2. What caused the Aristook War?
  1. How was it resolved?

III.Polk and Expansion

  1. The Lone StarState Shines Alone
  2. Why did Texas make treaties with European powers?
  1. Why did England support an independent Texas?

B.The Belated Texas Nuptials

How did Texas enter the union?

  1. Oregon Fever Populates Oregon
  2. How was Oregon settled?
  1. What portion was in dispute between England and America?

D.A Mandate (?) For Manifest Destiny

  1. Describe Polk’s background. How did he become the Democratic candidate?
  2. What is Manifest Destiny? How was it significant in the election of 1844?
  1. What was the Democratic Platform? The Whig Platform?
  1. How did the Liberty Party affect the election of 1844?

E.Polk the Purposeful

  1. What was Polk’s four point program? How successful was Polk in implementing it?
  1. How was the Oregon question settled?

IV.War With Mexico

  1. Misunderstandings with Mexico
  2. How did America end up in conflict with Mexico?
  1. What were the instructions given to John Slidell?

B.American Blood on American (?) Soil

  1. Why and how did the War with Mexico begin?
  1. What was Polk’s reason for starting the war? Was Polk justified?

C.Mastering Mexico

  1. Identify the important leaders in the war with Mexico.
  1. Describe American Strategy.

D.Fighting Mexico for Peace

  1. How was the war resolved?
  1. Explain the significance of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

E.Profit and Loss in Mexico

  1. What significance did the war have on the military in terms of the Civil War to come?
  1. How did the war exacerbate tensions over slavery?
  1. In terms of the union, explain the significance of the Wilmont Proviso. Why did it fail?

Terms

John Tyler

Aristook Controversy

Webster-Ashburton Treaty

54’ 40 or fight

Election of 1844

James Polk

Manifest Destiny

Rio Grande and NuecesRivers

Slidell

Zachary Taylor

Mexican War

Santa Anna

Stephen Kearny

John C. Fremont

BearFlagRepublic

Winfield Scott

Treaty of Guadalupe

Essential Questions

Why was President Polk willing to go to war against Mexico over Texas but not against Britain over Oregon?

List the following items in order of their importance as factors in the outbreak of war between the US and Mexico: Slidell mission, Taylor’s troops on the Rio Grande, debt claims of American citizens, Manifest Destiny, Polk’s quest for California. Of course, justify your answers and make certain that you explain how each item contributed to the outbreak of war.

List the following items in order of their importance as contributors to American expansion to the Pacific: land hunger, trade opportunities, suspicion of British intentions, Manifest Destiny. Justify your ranking and explain how each item contributed to territorial expansion.

James K. Polk is often ranked as one of America’s near great presidents. Do you agree that he should be so highly ranked? Why or why not?

Was the Mexican War inevitable? Was it necessary? Why or why not? What might either side have done to avoid war?

Explain why it is sometimes argued that the Mexican War was a major cause of the Civil War.