The Politics Behind the Mexican American War

1. The Politics Behind the Mexican American War The Lone Star, Gag Rule, Texas Revisited, Election of 1844, Manifest Destiny, and Fifty-four Forty or Fight!

2. The Lone Star Republic • 30,000 settlers (From U.S.) living in Coahuila Texas • They had become Mexican citizens • Complained about Mexican Government • Little representation, No Bill of Rights, Did not have right to Trial by Jury • Many of these settlers were from the south • Brought slaves with them • They were outraged when the Mexican Government tried to outlaw slavery

3. Lone Star Republic Cont • Mexican Government then • Imposed heavy custom sanctions and stationed troops among the settlers • In 1835 Texans revolted and drove the Mexican forces out of “their” lands • Texans declared independence on March 2nd 1836 • Texans issued a Declaration and elected a temporary government.

4. Lone Star Republic Cont • David G. Burnet – Texan President • Lorenzo de Zavala – Vice President • General Santa Anna – took over the Mexican Gov. • Dictator • The First Battle • The Alamo • James Bowie (Bowie Knife), Davy Crockett (King of the wild frontier), All but one stayed to fight • 183 died – killed or wounded 600 Mexican soldiers • Remember the Alamo!

5. Lone Star Republic Cont • Texans and Mexicans fought on • April 21st @ the Battle of San Jacinto • Texan forces captured Santa Anna and forced him to sign a peace treaty • The New Republic of Texas was born • Texas asked for admission into the Union • Denied • Texas was so big that #of possible states was an issue • Why • Because Texas allowed slavery and would upset the balance of slave vs. non-slave states

6. The Gag Rule • 1836- the House of Representatives refused to discuss and further petitions against slavery. • John Quincy Adams – Old Man Eloquence – Once president not representative from Mass. • Argue the Gag Rule was against the Freedom of Speech clause in the constitution and endangered the Union • Secured a repeal in 1844 • South used any and all means (Legal and Illegal)

7. Texas Revisited • Election of 1840 • William Henry Harrison wins • Dies weeks later from a cold • John Tyler becomes President • Followed his own policies • Vetoed “Whig” (his own parties) bills • New National Bank • Hoped to avoid the showdown over slavery

8. Texas Revisited • Tyler hoped to ignore Texas • Texan was negotiating with Great Britain • If G.B. could make an alliance with Texas they may be able to halt the expansion of the U.S. • Tyler Presented Texas with a treaty to allow them admission into the Union • Because of the Slavery issue the treaty was voted down

9. Election of 1844 • Whig party – Runs Henry Clay • Democrats – James K. Polk • Polk was a “Dark Horse” and unknown candidate • Polk argued that we should allow both Texas and Oregon into the U.S. maintaining the balance • Clay kept switching his position • NY voted for a different Whig • Clay lost the election

10. Manifest Destiny • Americans were thrilled with their “Empire of Liberty” • Old world monarchies will not exist on this continent • The idea of • City on a Hill became the Empire of Liberty to be a beacon for the world

11. 54-40 of Fight • Polk demanded “All of Oregon or none!” • His claim went up to modern day Alaska (owned by Russia at the time). • This threatened war with Great Britain • U.S. and G.B. came to terms • 49th parallel