Conscience Whigs
Antislavery Whigs who opposed both the Texas annexation and the Mexican War on moral grounds
Aroostook War
war fought in Maine over the Northern boundary of the U.S. in relation with the timber country and the U.S.-American border
Joint Resolution
act of both houses of Congress by which Texas was annexed
Oregon Trail
2,000 mile long path along which thousands of Americans journeyed to the Willamette valley in the 1840s
Manifest Destiny
the widespread belief that God had ordained the .S. to occupy all the territory of North America
Liberty Party
small, antislavery party that took enough votes from Henry Clay to cost him the election of 1844
Nueces
River that Mexico claimed as the Texas-Mexico boundary, crossed by Taylor's troops in 1846
Rio Grande
Claimed by the U.S. as the southern boundary of Texas
Texas
Independent nation that was the object of British, Mexican, and French scheming in the early 1840s
Oregon
Northwestern territory in dispute between Britain and U.S., subject of "Manifest Destiny" rhetoric in 1844
Spot Resolutions
resolutions offered by Congressman Abraham Lincoln demanding to know the precise location where the Mexicans had allegedly shed American blood on "American" soil
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Treaty ending the Mexican War and granting vast territories to the U.S.
Wilmot Proviso
controversial amendment, which passed in the House but not the Senate, stipulating that slavery should be forbidden in territory acquired from Mexico
Popular sovereignty
the notion that no law or rule is legitimate unless it rests directly or indirectly on the consent of the
Bear Flag Revolt
a revolt from Fort Devenworth to Santa Fe in 1846. Lead by John C. Fremont, Americans in California wanted to be independent of Mexican rule, and when the war with Mexico began, these Californians revolted and established an independent republic called th
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty
in order to ensure that neither super-powers, the U.S. or Britain, would attempt to build a canal, they created this treaty, which stated that neither country would seek exclusive control of the canal or territory on either side of such a canal, fortify a
Gadsden Purchase
was made in 1853 for $15 million. This track of land was not only bought based on "Manifest Destiny," otherwise we wouldn't have paid as much. Its main importance was to allow us to build an inter-costal railroad, since that was the only land for miles th
Webster-Ashburton Treaty
a compromise over the Maine boundary. America received more land but England got the Halifax-Quebec route. It was patched up the Caroline Affair of 1837
Ostend Manifesto
took place in 1854 when a group of southerners met with Spanish officials in Belgium to attempt to get more slave territory, feeling this would balance out congress. They tried to buy Cuba but the Spanish would not sell it. Southerners wanted to take it b
John Tyler
Leader elected vice president on the Whig ticket in 1840, but became president after Harrison died. He spent most of his presidency in bitter feuds with his fellow Whigs
Henry Clay
Leader of the Senate Whigs and unsuccessful presidential candidate against Polk in 1844
Daniel Webster
Whig leader and secretary who negotiated an end to Maine boundary dispute in 1842
James K. Polk
Dark-horse" presidential winner in 1844 who effectively carried out ambitious expansionist campaign plans
John C. Freemont
Dashing explorer/adventurer who led the overthrow of Mexican rule in California after war broke out
Abraham Lincoln
Congressional author of the "spot resolutions" criticizing the Mexican war
Zachary Taylor
American military hero who invaded northern Mexico from Texas in 1846-1847
Winfield Scott
Old Fuss and Feathers," whose conquest of Mexico City brought U.S. victory in the Mexican War
Santa Anna
Mexican military leader who failed to stop humiliating American invasion of his country
Nicholas Trist
Long-winded American diplomat who negotiated the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
David Wilmont
Congressional author of resolution forbidding slavery in territory acquired from Mexico, but was turned down 3 times
John Slidell
was sent to Mexico in 1845 as a minister, and was given instructions to offer $25 million to the Mexicans for California. He was rejected by the Mexicans and they called this offer "insulting". This refusal was one of the factors that lead to war
Canada
British Colony where Americans regularly aided anti-government rebels
Britain
Nation that strongly backed independence for Texas, hoping to turn into an economic asset and antislavery bastion
49� Line
Final compromise line that settled the Oregon boundary dispute in 1846
California
Rich Mexican province that Polk tried to buy and Mexico refused to sell
54' 40
Northern boundary of Oregon territory jointly occupied with Britain, advocated by Democratic party & others as the desired line of American expansion