The Presidencies of The Presidencies of Martin Van Buren, Martin Van Buren,

William Henry Harrison, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler and John Tyler and James K. PolkJames K. Polk

OBJECTIVE(S):OBJECTIVE(S):• Identify the issues the United Identify the issues the United

States wrestled with as it spread States wrestled with as it spread westwardwestward

• Describe the events that led to Describe the events that led to the American Civil Warthe American Civil War

• Speculate on if/how the Civil Speculate on if/how the Civil War may have been avoidedWar may have been avoided

Martin Van BurenMartin Van BurenDemocrat—New YorkDemocrat—New York

1837-18411837-1841

Democrat Andrew Jackson was Democrat Andrew Jackson was succeeded by his Vice President, succeeded by his Vice President, Martin Van Buren. Van Buren, Martin Van Buren. Van Buren, from New York, was a key from New York, was a key organizer of the Jacksonian organizer of the Jacksonian Democrats, but despite his Democrats, but despite his accomplishments before ascending accomplishments before ascending to the presidency, his single term to the presidency, his single term in the White House was a failure.in the White House was a failure.

As Jackson's heir, Van Buren As Jackson's heir, Van Buren followed his policies toward Native followed his policies toward Native Americans. The Indian Removal Americans. The Indian Removal Act was passed by Congress at Act was passed by Congress at Jackson’s urging in 1830. Jackson Jackson’s urging in 1830. Jackson then ordered the United States then ordered the United States Army to forcibly relocate Native Army to forcibly relocate Native American tribes to make way for American tribes to make way for white settlement of their land.white settlement of their land.

The forced movement was called the The forced movement was called the Trail of Tears. Along the way, many Trail of Tears. Along the way, many died of starvation, disease and died of starvation, disease and exposure, forcibly removing the exposure, forcibly removing the Cherokee and other tribes from the Cherokee and other tribes from the South to the Oklahoma Territory. The South to the Oklahoma Territory. The execution of Jackson’s original order execution of Jackson’s original order actually happened during Van Buren’s actually happened during Van Buren’s term.term.

Van Buren’s administration was Van Buren’s administration was saddled with severe economic saddled with severe economic problems in no small way caused by problems in no small way caused by Jackson’s decisions. Jackson decided Jackson’s decisions. Jackson decided to kill the national bank (the Bank of to kill the national bank (the Bank of the United States—created by George the United States—created by George Washington's Secretary of the Washington's Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton) in Treasury, Alexander Hamilton) in 1836. 1836.

The elimination of the bank The elimination of the bank caused a credit crisis. caused a credit crisis. Consequently, the United Consequently, the United States economy had two States economy had two major financial crises during major financial crises during Van Buren’s presidency.Van Buren’s presidency.

The Panic of 1837 was a financial crisis The Panic of 1837 was a financial crisis that began a major economic that began a major economic recession. A recession is when the recession. A recession is when the economy stops growing and economy stops growing and businesses struggle. Key features of a businesses struggle. Key features of a recession are unemployment, huge recession are unemployment, huge decreases in profits, rises in prices, decreases in profits, rises in prices, decreases in wages and a decline in decreases in wages and a decline in consumer confidence. consumer confidence.

The economy appeared to be picking The economy appeared to be picking up in 1838, but then the Panic of 1839 up in 1838, but then the Panic of 1839 hit and it was even worse. Due to hit and it was even worse. Due to over-inflated cotton prices, a natural, over-inflated cotton prices, a natural, economic correction caused the price economic correction caused the price of cotton to plummet, creating long of cotton to plummet, creating long lasting economic problems. Again, lasting economic problems. Again, unemployment and lowered wages unemployment and lowered wages dramatically cut consumer spending, dramatically cut consumer spending, causing a downward spiral. causing a downward spiral.

People blamed the People blamed the current President and current President and Van Buren was Van Buren was lampooned as “Martin lampooned as “Martin Van Ruin.”Van Ruin.”

The severe economic problems The severe economic problems ruined his chances of re-ruined his chances of re-election. The new Whig party election. The new Whig party that grew out of opposition to that grew out of opposition to Andrew Jackson, successful Andrew Jackson, successful defeated him with their defeated him with their candidate, William Henry candidate, William Henry Harrison.Harrison.

The American public turned to The American public turned to the new political party on the the new political party on the scene (the Whigs). In addition scene (the Whigs). In addition to opposing the policies of to opposing the policies of Jacksonian Democrats, Jacksonian Democrats, believed that Congress, not the believed that Congress, not the President, should lead national President, should lead national policy.policy.

They also believed in economic They also believed in economic protectionism, meaning that they protectionism, meaning that they believed in tariffs to protect believed in tariffs to protect American businesses from foreign American businesses from foreign competition. Most Whigs were competition. Most Whigs were from the northern states, while the from the northern states, while the majority of Democrats were from majority of Democrats were from the South.the South.

The two parties showed The two parties showed how the country was how the country was divided, an ideal called divided, an ideal called sectionalism by sectionalism by historians.historians.

The North was more populous The North was more populous and had an economy based on and had an economy based on trade and manufacturing. The trade and manufacturing. The South had an economy based South had an economy based upon cotton, produced by large upon cotton, produced by large plantations using slave labor.plantations using slave labor.

The interests of The interests of the two regions the two regions were on a collision were on a collision course.course.

William Henry HarrisonWilliam Henry HarrisonWhig—OhioWhig—Ohio

31 days in 184131 days in 1841

Whig William Henry Harrison defeated Whig William Henry Harrison defeated Martin Van Buren in the Election of 1840 Martin Van Buren in the Election of 1840 with ease. A national hero for leading with ease. A national hero for leading troops in the War of 1812 and against troops in the War of 1812 and against Native Americans, Harrison was the oldest Native Americans, Harrison was the oldest person elected President until Ronald person elected President until Ronald Reagan in 1980. But his presidency would Reagan in 1980. But his presidency would prove to be the shortest in American prove to be the shortest in American

history.history.

Harrison, in an attempt to prove his Harrison, in an attempt to prove his intelligence, gave the longest intelligence, gave the longest inauguration speech in history. The inauguration speech in history. The famous story is that he delivered this famous story is that he delivered this speech on a cold an wet March day, speech on a cold an wet March day, not wearing a hat or overcoat. By the not wearing a hat or overcoat. By the end of the month, Harrison had end of the month, Harrison had developed a severe cold that quickly developed a severe cold that quickly turned to pneumonia. He became the turned to pneumonia. He became the first president to die in office.first president to die in office.

Harrison's death lead to a Constitutional crisis. Harrison's death lead to a Constitutional crisis. The document was unclear on how The document was unclear on how Presidential succession worked. The Presidential succession worked. The Constitution states that "In case of the Constitution states that "In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his removal of the President from office, or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President, ...and [the shall devolve on the Vice President, ...and [the Vice President] shall act accordingly, until the Vice President] shall act accordingly, until the disability be removed, or a President shall be disability be removed, or a President shall be elected."elected."

The debate was whether the Vice The debate was whether the Vice President carried out the rest of the President carried out the rest of the term or if they only held office until a term or if they only held office until a new election could be held to select a new election could be held to select a new President. It was decided that new President. It was decided that Harrison's Vice President, John Tyler, Harrison's Vice President, John Tyler, would serve the remainder of the would serve the remainder of the term and not be merely an "acting term and not be merely an "acting President," but fully assume the President," but fully assume the office.office.

Complications arose when Tyler, who Complications arose when Tyler, who was formerly a Jacksonian Democrat was formerly a Jacksonian Democrat and switched the Whig Party, decided and switched the Whig Party, decided that he wasn't going to try to do what that he wasn't going to try to do what Harrison had outlined in his inaugural Harrison had outlined in his inaugural address.address.

John TylerJohn TylerWhig (but not really)—VirginiaWhig (but not really)—Virginia

1841-18451841-1845

John Tyler came to be referred John Tyler came to be referred to as "His Accidency" because to as "His Accidency" because he gained the Presidency after he gained the Presidency after the death of William Henry the death of William Henry Harrison. The irony of the Harrison. The irony of the nickname came from the fact nickname came from the fact that it was what members of that it was what members of his own political party used to his own political party used to ridicule him.ridicule him.

Tyler had run on the Whig Tyler had run on the Whig ticket with Harrison. The Whig ticket with Harrison. The Whig Party rose up as opposition to Party rose up as opposition to Andrew Jackson and the Andrew Jackson and the Jacksonian Democrats. They Jacksonian Democrats. They believed in everything the believed in everything the opposite of Jackson. opposite of Jackson.

They believed in the Bank of They believed in the Bank of the United States and high the United States and high tariffs to protect American tariffs to protect American businesses. And, most businesses. And, most importantly, they believed that importantly, they believed that Congress, not the President, Congress, not the President, should be at the forefront of should be at the forefront of American politics.American politics.

Harrison believed firmly in this and Harrison believed firmly in this and stated in his famed inaugural address stated in his famed inaugural address how he would take a backseat to how he would take a backseat to Congress. But his untimely death Congress. But his untimely death thrust Tyler into office. Of course, this thrust Tyler into office. Of course, this was not without controversy. The was not without controversy. The Constitution was unclear on exactly Constitution was unclear on exactly what happened in the event of a what happened in the event of a President vacating the office.President vacating the office.

People weren't sure if the Vice People weren't sure if the Vice President became an acting President President became an acting President until an new election could be held or until an new election could be held or if they actually assumed the office for if they actually assumed the office for the remainder of the term. It was the remainder of the term. It was decided, in an important precedent decided, in an important precedent that would later be cemented with a that would later be cemented with a Constitutional Amendment, that the Constitutional Amendment, that the Vice President became the President Vice President became the President for the rest of the term.for the rest of the term.

When Tyler took over When Tyler took over only some thirty days only some thirty days into Harrison's term, he into Harrison's term, he quickly showed that he quickly showed that he was not going to follow was not going to follow Harrison's agenda.Harrison's agenda.

He stood in the way of the He stood in the way of the Whigs policies, exercising his Whigs policies, exercising his veto powers over several acts veto powers over several acts of Congress. The party became of Congress. The party became so upset with Tyler, that they so upset with Tyler, that they expelled him from their party, expelled him from their party, ruining his chances for re-ruining his chances for re-election.election.

The main The main accomplishment of accomplishment of Tyler's administration Tyler's administration came after a new came after a new President had been President had been selected: the annexation selected: the annexation of Texas.of Texas.

Texas was part of the Mexican Texas was part of the Mexican Empire. Mexico, eager to settle Empire. Mexico, eager to settle the land so no one else could make the land so no one else could make claim to it, invited American claim to it, invited American settlers to move into their settlers to move into their territory. They didn't expect so territory. They didn't expect so many to come and soon American many to come and soon American settlers outnumbered Mexicans settlers outnumbered Mexicans ten to one. And they began ten to one. And they began pushing for independence.pushing for independence.

The Texans declared themselves free The Texans declared themselves free and Mexican forces tried to squash and Mexican forces tried to squash the independence movement--such as the independence movement--such as the famous Battle of the Alamo--but the famous Battle of the Alamo--but at a key battle the Texans defeated at a key battle the Texans defeated the Mexicans and became their own the Mexicans and became their own country called the Republic of Texas. country called the Republic of Texas. Almost immediately, they appealed to Almost immediately, they appealed to be added to the United States during be added to the United States during Martin Van Buren's Presidency, but Martin Van Buren's Presidency, but the President didn't support it.the President didn't support it.

Tyler had supported the Tyler had supported the annexation of the Republic annexation of the Republic of Texas and even of Texas and even negotiated a treaty with the negotiated a treaty with the Republic for its addition to Republic for its addition to the United States, but the the United States, but the Senate would not approve Senate would not approve it.it.

But as Tyler was about to leave But as Tyler was about to leave office, public opinion had shifted office, public opinion had shifted and Tyler pushed through a joint-and Tyler pushed through a joint-resolution from Congress paving resolution from Congress paving the way for admitting the territory the way for admitting the territory in to the United States. It would in to the United States. It would later officially become a state later officially become a state under James K. Polk's Presidency.under James K. Polk's Presidency.

James K. PolkJames K. PolkDemocrat—TenesseeDemocrat—Tenessee

1845-18491845-1849

After Tyler finished Harrison's term, After Tyler finished Harrison's term, no one would run him in the Election no one would run him in the Election of 1844. The Whigs had expelled him of 1844. The Whigs had expelled him from the party and the Democrats from the party and the Democrats weren't sure they could trust him. weren't sure they could trust him. The Whigs ran Henry Clay, probably The Whigs ran Henry Clay, probably the most prominent politician to be so the most prominent politician to be so close to being the president, but close to being the president, but never getting the job. The Democrats never getting the job. The Democrats ran James K. Polk. ran James K. Polk.

Polk was a Polk was a Jacksonian Jacksonian Democrat. In fact, Democrat. In fact, he was more Jackson he was more Jackson than Jackson.than Jackson.

Polk and the Democratic Polk and the Democratic party ran on a four-point party ran on a four-point platform. They promised to platform. They promised to lower tariffs and also fix the lower tariffs and also fix the financial problems that financial problems that plagued the country since plagued the country since Jackson killed the national Jackson killed the national bank in 1836.bank in 1836.

And, as a firm believer in Manifest And, as a firm believer in Manifest Destiny, Polk and the Democrats sought Destiny, Polk and the Democrats sought to extend America's control over the rest to extend America's control over the rest of the continent. They wanted to annex of the continent. They wanted to annex Texas (though it happened after Polk won Texas (though it happened after Polk won the election, but before he took office), the election, but before he took office), who asked to become a state but was who asked to become a state but was rejected. The Democrats also wanted to rejected. The Democrats also wanted to settle the issues with Great Britain over settle the issues with Great Britain over Oregon and also promised to gain Oregon and also promised to gain California for the United States.California for the United States.

Polk won the close election, Clay just Polk won the close election, Clay just falling short for a third time. The falling short for a third time. The Democrats passed a lower tariff in 1846. Democrats passed a lower tariff in 1846. Then they passed a law restoring the Then they passed a law restoring the Independent Treasury System, which was Independent Treasury System, which was how the government managed their how the government managed their revenue instead of depositing it in private revenue instead of depositing it in private banks. A form of this system existed banks. A form of this system existed after Jackson killed the national bank, but after Jackson killed the national bank, but the Whigs got rid of it when they the Whigs got rid of it when they attempted to charter and new national attempted to charter and new national bank.bank.

Polk signed the bill into law in 1846. Since Polk signed the bill into law in 1846. Since Tyler vetoed the Whig's attempts to Tyler vetoed the Whig's attempts to reestablish the national bank (twice), the reestablish the national bank (twice), the Independent Treasury System was Independent Treasury System was essential in creating financial stability.essential in creating financial stability.

Polk and the Democrats also set to work Polk and the Democrats also set to work on realizing Manifest Destiny. The Oregon on realizing Manifest Destiny. The Oregon Country was jointly occupied by the Country was jointly occupied by the United States and Great Britain since a United States and Great Britain since a treaty signed in 1818. Polk wanted to get treaty signed in 1818. Polk wanted to get control of the territory for the United control of the territory for the United States. Polk offered to split it, dividing it States. Polk offered to split it, dividing it at the 49th Parallel. The British refused. at the 49th Parallel. The British refused. Polk and the Democrats threatened war, Polk and the Democrats threatened war, demanding the whole territory.demanding the whole territory.

While this was going on, a border conflict While this was going on, a border conflict with Mexico threatened to bring a with Mexico threatened to bring a different war. Texas was annexed just different war. Texas was annexed just before Polk took office. But the Texans, before Polk took office. But the Texans, who had been a independent country who had been a independent country carved out of Mexico, had a pre-existing carved out of Mexico, had a pre-existing border dispute with the Mexicans. The border dispute with the Mexicans. The Texans always cited the Rio Grande River Texans always cited the Rio Grande River as the border; the Mexicans claimed the as the border; the Mexicans claimed the Nueces River, further east. Nueces River, further east.

Mexicans were also fearful of America's Mexicans were also fearful of America's interest in their land in present-day interest in their land in present-day California. Polk sent a representative to California. Polk sent a representative to Mexico City to offer to buy the disputed Mexico City to offer to buy the disputed land in Texas to the Rio Grande and land in Texas to the Rio Grande and California for $30 million. But Mexico California for $30 million. But Mexico refused. Polk then order American forces refused. Polk then order American forces into the disputed territory between the into the disputed territory between the rivers, claiming the land for the United rivers, claiming the land for the United States. The Mexicans attacked and the States. The Mexicans attacked and the war began in 1846.war began in 1846.

Mexico had suffered from instability since Mexico had suffered from instability since winning its independence from Spain. winning its independence from Spain. They were not in a good position to take They were not in a good position to take on the United States. Outmatched, the on the United States. Outmatched, the Americans won and the Mexicans were Americans won and the Mexicans were forced to give up it's northern land forced to give up it's northern land holding. This territory was added to the holding. This territory was added to the United States in what is called the United States in what is called the Mexican Cession. It included what would Mexican Cession. It included what would later become New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, later become New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and California.Nevada and California.

Mexico had suffered from instability since Mexico had suffered from instability since winning its independence from Spain. winning its independence from Spain. They were not in a good position to take They were not in a good position to take on the United States. Outmatched, the on the United States. Outmatched, the Americans won and the Mexicans were Americans won and the Mexicans were forced to give up it's northern land forced to give up it's northern land holding. This territory was added to the holding. This territory was added to the United States in what is called the United States in what is called the Mexican Cession. It included what would Mexican Cession. It included what would later become New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, later become New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and California.Nevada and California.

During the war with Mexico, the United During the war with Mexico, the United States was forced to back off the threats States was forced to back off the threats of war with Britain over Oregon. Polk of war with Britain over Oregon. Polk negotiated a settlement with the British, negotiated a settlement with the British, dividing the Oregon Country at the 49th dividing the Oregon Country at the 49th Parallel.Parallel.

The addition of the lands of the Oregon The addition of the lands of the Oregon Treaty and the Mexican Cession further Treaty and the Mexican Cession further fueled Manifest Destiny--America's desire fueled Manifest Destiny--America's desire to push west. But it also added fuel to the to push west. But it also added fuel to the slavery fire. As new territories were slavery fire. As new territories were organized and applied for statehood, organized and applied for statehood, fierce debate to keep the delicate balance fierce debate to keep the delicate balance between free and slave states in Congress between free and slave states in Congress only intensified.only intensified.

Having met his policy goals, Polk made Having met his policy goals, Polk made good on his promise and did not seek re-good on his promise and did not seek re-election. His legacy included the election. His legacy included the fulfillment of Manifest Destiny, but that fulfillment of Manifest Destiny, but that also brought with it problems. But Polk also brought with it problems. But Polk wasn't around to see it. He died of wasn't around to see it. He died of cholera three months after leaving office.cholera three months after leaving office.

OBJECTIVE(S):OBJECTIVE(S):

• Identify the issues the United Identify the issues the United States wrestled with as it spread States wrestled with as it spread westwardwestward

• Describe the events that led to Describe the events that led to the American Civil Warthe American Civil War

• Speculate on if/how the Civil Speculate on if/how the Civil War may have been avoidedWar may have been avoided