AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

APUSH Chapter 17: Manifest Destinyand Its Legacy, 1841-1848 Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
2609180851Manifest DestinyThis expression was popular in the 1840s. Many people believed that the U.S. was destined to secure territory from "sea to sea," from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. This rationale drove the acquisition of territory.0
2609180852John TylerTook office after the death of William Henry Harrison in 1841. He was a democrat but was swayed by his adoptive Whig Party. He signed a law to end the independent treasury but he vetoed attempts to create a Fiscal Bank.1
2609180853Maine boundary dispute (Aroostook war)It was over the Maine boundary dispute. The British wanted to build a road from Halifax to Quebec. It ran through land already claimed by Maine. Fights started on both sides and they both got their local militia. It could have been a war, but it never proceeded that far.2
2609182569Canadian insurrection of 1837Upper Canadians rebelled against the British gov't. They wanted it to be democratic. The rebellions were in 1837, and the Caroline Affair occurred. In the end, British rule was only strengthened and it was unsuccessful.3
2609237095Websters-Ashburton TreatyA compromise over the Maine boundary; America received more land but England got the Halifax-Quebec route; it patched up the Caroline Affair of 18374
2609237262Tyler's annexation of TexasU.S. made Texas a state in 1845. Joint resolution - both houses of Congress supported annexation under Tyler, and he signed the bill shortly before leaving office. Was part of John Tyler's presidential campaign5
2609239064Election of 1844 & James PolkJames K. Polk - Democrat. Henry Clay - Whig. James G. Birney - Liberty Party. Issues that the candidates had to talk about: The annexation of Texas and the reoccupation of Oregon, and tariff reform. Manifest Destiny Issues: The annexation of Texas and the reoccupation of Oregon. Tariff reform.6
2609239065Oregon TrailOverland trail of more than two thousand miles that carried American settlers from the Midwest to new settlements in Oregon, California, and Utah.7
2609239066Liberty PartyNew York businessmen Arthur and Lewis Tappan organized this political party after they broke with William Lloyd Garrison over issues of abolitionists' involvement in politics and the role of women in the movement. The party nominated James Birney for president in 1840 and 1844, but he garnered few votes. Split Whig (Henry Clay)'s vote.8
2609240118Slidell's MissionAppointed minister to Mexico in 1845, John Slidell went to Mexico to pay for disputed Texas and California land. But the Mexican government was still angry about the annexation of Texas and refused to talk to him.9
2609241184Zachary Taylor & Buena VistaA major general from 1846-1847 in the Mexican War. Known as "Old Rough and Ready," he defeated the Mexicans in a campaign that took him to Buena Vista in Mexico. The victorious campaign helped pressure the Mexicans into peace.10
2609241185"Spot" ResolutionsOffered in the United States House of Representatives in 1847 by Abraham Lincoln, Whig representative from Illinois, the resolutions requested President James K. Polk to provide Congress with the exact location (the "spot") upon which blood was spilt on American soil, as Polk had claimed in 1846 when asking Congress to declare war on Mexico. So persistent was Lincoln in pushing his "spot resolutions" that some began referring to him as "spotty Lincoln." Lincoln's resolutions were a direct challenge to the validity of the president's words, and representative of an ongoing political power struggle between Whigs and Democrats11
2609242926John C. Fremont & Bear Flag revoltAn explorer, soldier, and politician known as "the Great Pathfinder." In 1846, he assisted in the annexation of California by capturing insurgents, seizing the city of Sonoma, and declaring the independence of the "Bear Flag Republic."Became the first presidential candidate for the Republican party. A revolt of American settlers in California against Mexican rule. It ignited the Mexican War and ultimately made California a state.12
2609242927Winfield ScottUnited States Army general, and unsuccessful presidential candidate of the Whig Party in 1852. Served on active duty as a general longer than any other man in American history. During the Mexican-American War, Major General Scott commanded the southern of the two United States armies13
2609244508Treaty of Guadalupe-HidalgoMexico sold the United States all of the southwest for 15 million dollars in agreement that the rights and religion of the Mexican inhabitants of this land would be recognized by the United States government. It was drawn up by Nicholas P. Trist and sent to congress. The anti slavery congressmen passed the treaty and signed it on February 2nd, 1848.14
2609244509All of Mexico Movement...Movement among extreme Democrats in favor of seizing all of Mexico during the Mexican-American War. Never seriously considered by the U.S. Government. Supported by some in the South.15
2609246101"Wilmot Proviso"Amendment that sought to prohibit slavery from territories acquired from Mexico. Introduced by Pennsylvania congressman David Wilmot, the failed amendment ratcheted up tensions between North and South over the issue of slavery; never became federal law, but it was eventually endorsed by the legislatures of all but one of the free states, and it came to symbolize the burning issue of slavery in the territories16
2609250806Walker Tariff of 1846Revenue-enhancing measure that lowered tariffs from 1842 thereby fueling trade and increasing Treasury receipts; reduced the average rates of the Tariff of 1842 from about 32% to 25% and so it had strong support of low-tariff southerners, but had objection of Clayites, who complained that American manufacturing would be ruined; however this tariff proved to be an excellent revenue producer17

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!