Transcript Marine Corps Hymn

CH 17
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Manifest Destiny - a phrase used by leaders and
politicians in the 1840s to explain continental
expansion by the United States – revitalized a sense
of "mission" or national destiny for Americans.
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Need and Desire to Expand
High birth rate and immigration leads to population
growth from 5 million in 1800 to 23 million by 1850.
4 million moved to western territories between 1820
and 1850
Depressions of 1818 and 1839 drive people to
frontier due to cheap or free land and opportunity to
make a living.
Merchants see opportunities in West Coast ports and
trade with countries in the Pacific.
Maine and Oregon
• Negotiated settlements with British and try to
increase the size of America.
• Maine – negotiations after militia skirmishes lead
to division of disputed land south of St.
Lawrence River. U.S. acquires Minnesota and
(unbeknownst at the time) its iron ore.
• Oregon – No military conflict, but increased
American settlement encourages British to
negotiate. Polk does not get all of Oregon as
promised in campaign, but settles on the 49°
latitude (wanted 54° originally).
Maine and Oregon
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The British-American dispute over the border of
Maine was solved by a compromise that gave
each side some territory.
The Aroostook War was the result of a dispute
over the northern boundary of Maine.
The primary group that was instrumental in
strengthening and saving American claims to
Oregon were American missionaries to the
Indians.
Texas
• 1820’s and 1830’s -Mexico had welcomed American settlers
with slaves who took an oath of allegiance to Mexico and
converted to Catholicism. Known as “Texicans” or “Texians.”
• 1835 – Texas revolts due to frustration with Mexican
government over slavery and local rights.
• 1836 – Texas declared independence, Sam Houston named
Commander In Chief. Santa Anna advances with army of
6000.
• Alamo – Jim Bowie, Dave Crockett become legend.
• San Jacinto (modern Houston) – Santa Anna defeated and
forced to sign treaty of Velasco, recognizing independence for
Texas.
• Texas seeks union with U.S. – slavery issue slows decision.
• Texas and Mexico continue to engage in border fights, turning
American public opinion against Mexico.
• July 4, 1845 – Texas annexation approved.
• Some people in Britain hoped for a British
alliance with Texas because the alliance
would give abolitionists the opportunity to
free slaves in Texas.
• One argument against annexing Texas to
the United States was that the annexation
might give more power to the supporters
of slavery.
Polk
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“Dark Horse” Polk narrowly defeats Clay in
election of 1844.
Campaign promises include: Annexation of
Texas, All of Oregon, Manifest Destiny, Reduce
Tariffs, and Acquisition of California
Polk offers to buy California for $25 million –
Mexico refuses to receive the offer as well as
the American ambassador Slidell.
Polk was concerned that British would attempt
to seize CA. (They were rumors)
POLK
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Polk angered at inability of Mexican
government to pay $3 million in damages
owed to Americans from damages during
fighting in Texas.
Government in Mexico was involved in
their own revolution and debt ridden.
War with Mexico
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Polk orders army under direction of Zachary Taylor to the Nueces
River
Nueces was disputed territory – Mexico claimed land up to the
river, U.S. maintained Rio Grande as border.
Polk anticipates clash – none occurs
Polk proposed declaration of war was based on:
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unpaid claims
rejection of American ambassador Slidell
the ideology of Manifest Destiny
the deaths of American soldiers at the hands of Mexicans
Polk's desire to acquire California
April 25, 1846 – before Polk can declare war – Mexican troops
cross Rio Grande and attack Taylor’s army
Congress, under Polk’s urging, declares war on Mexico. Even
anti-slavery Whigs join the patriotic movement.
• President Polk's claim that “American blood [had
been shed] on the American soil” referred to
news of an armed clash between Mexican and
American troops near the Rio Grande.
• During the Mexican War, the Polk administration
was called on several times to respond to “spot”
resolutions indicating where American blood had
been shed to provoke the war. The resolutions
were frequently introduced by Abraham Lincoln.
• One goal of Mexico in its 1846–1848 war with
the United States was to free black slaves.
Battle of Chapultepec
Marine Corps Hymn
From the halls of Montezuma,
To the shores of Tripoli;
We will fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marines'_Hymn
• The red stripes are called blood stripes. Which
represents the battle of Halls of Montezuma during the
Mexican-American War of 1847. The red stripe on the
Marines “Dress Blues” signifies the blood shed by the
Marines at the battle of Chapultepec.
• The terms of the Treaty of GuadalupeHidalgo ending the Mexican War included
United States payment of $15 million for
the cession of northern Mexico.
• The Mexican Cession became the largest
single addition to American territory.
Territory
• Mexico would lose approx. ½ its land
• U.S. gains territory that would later
become the states of California, Nevada,
Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah
Reputations
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Established reputation of “Old Rough and
Ready” Zachary Taylor, a Whig that would
replace Polk as president
Damaged reputation of U.S. in Latin America.
Animosity carried over with Mexico, and U.S.
seen as agitator by other Latin American
countries. “Colossus of the North”
Captain Robert E. Lee and Lieutenant Ulysses
S. Grant and other soldiers gain military
experience that will be put to use in Civil War.
Fallout
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Polk accused of forcing war and advancing
“slavocracy.”
The Wilmot Proviso symbolized the burning
issue of slavery in the territories.
It was introduced into Congress during the
Mexican War, declared that slavery would be
banned from all territories that Mexico ceded to
the United States
U.S.-Mexican war seen as the start of the Civil
War