Chapter 17: Manifest Destiny and Its Legacy 1841-1848 Flashcards
Thomas Hart Benton
Thomas Hart Benton strongly believed in the expansion of the United States to the West. He was a senator from Missouri from 1821-1851.
- Was American expansion across North America an inevitable development? How was the idea of Manifest Destiny used to justify expansionism?
American expansion across North America was an inevitable development because of America’s increasing population growth and productive economy. People wanted more room for their crops, and the adventurous spirit that came from Manifest Destiny seized Americans. Manifest Destiny was an idea that arose in the 1840s, when Americans began to feel called by God to spread out. They believed that it was their mission to do so; that God had “manifestly” destined them for a wider influence on the world. They wanted to spread democracy and equality to the rest of the world. This belief became combined with plain old greed to justify their expansion.
- Why was the Texas annexation so controversial? What would have happened had Texas remained an independent nation?
Prior to its annexation, Texas was in a difficult situation. Mexico still did not acknowledge its independence, and threatened to declare war on the United States if it tried to interfere. This meant that the Texans had to defend themselves without help at a high price. Britain, unlike Mexico, wanted Texas to be independent because it could be used as a gateway to challenge the United States. If Texas had remained independent, it likely would have caused a lot of trouble for America. America could have gotten into many destructive wars, with Mexico and Europe. The Texas annexation was a very controversial part of American politics in the 1840s. James K Polk and his democrat pro-expansion followers wanted to annex Texas, as did many southerners. Whigs, on the other hand, were afraid that if Texas joined the Union it would contribute to those in favor of slavery. Finally, in 1845, the issue was settled by a debate and Texas was annexed.
- How did rivalry with Britain affect the American decision to annex Texas, the Oregon dispute, and lesser controversies of the period?
America’s rivalry with Britain was a driving force in the decision to annex Texas, the Oregon dispute, and other controversies. The British wanted an independent Texas because it would provide a gateway into America through which they could challenge the Monroe Doctrine. Also, British abolitionists wanted to free the slaves in Texas, hoping that it would spread to the United States. Another reason for an independent Texas would be that the British would no longer have to depend on American fiber and could import it from Texas instead. Fearing such a British foothold in Texas, politicians in America were driven to call for the annexation of Texas.
In the 1840s, the number of Americans in the Oregon Country increased when many pioneers contracted the “Oregon fever.” This drive to expand caused them to spread south of the Columbia River, which alarmed the British. They were afraid that the Americans would take over their territory north of the river. This led to a dispute over the boundary line that was also discussed in the 1844 presidential elections, though not to the extent of the Texas annexation. American pride would not allow them to let the British simply take what they wanted, and their rivalry just increased the American drive to seize more land for their own.
- What caused the Mexican War? Did Polk provoke the Texas-boundary conflict in order to gain California or expand slavery, as war opponents like Lincoln charged?
In 1845, President Polk was favorably considering purchasing California from Mexico. At the same time, Texas entered a conflict with Mexico over its southern boundary. Polk was willing to provide military backup to Texas should it become a member of the United States, but could not yet send in troops for fear of starting a war. Polk sent an envoy to Mexico City, offering $ 25 million for California, but they were turned away. Polk, understandably upset, proposed asking Congress to declare war on Mexico based on this rejection as well as unpaid claims. He was turned down, but his cabinet members said they would fight if Mexico made the first move. Ironically, Mexican troops killed sixteen Americans after crossing the Rio Grande that very same day. Polk then provoked the conflict by distorting the truth. He asked Congress to declare war because “American blood {had been spilled} upon the American soil.” His strategy worked, as Congress did declare war, but from the Mexican perspective, blood was spilled on land that they saw as their own.
- What were the benefits and costs of the Mexican War both immediately and in the longer run of American history?
The Mexican War cost about thirteen thousand lives on the American side, most claimed by disease. By regular war standards, this was relatively low loss, especially when the benefits are taken into account. America gained a huge portion of land, bigger than the land area gained in the Louisiana Purchase. The passion of Manifest Destiny was fed and continued to increase. Also, many officers gained valuable fighting experience that was used in the Civil War. Americans also gained much respect in the eyes of Latin America and the rest of the world for their fighting prowess. The unfortunate side of this is that Latin American countries also began to see the United States in a negative light.
