Manifest Ambition

by Pinheiro, John C.

• ISBN13: 9780275984090
• ISBN10: 0275984095
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-03-30
• Publisher: Praeger Security Intl

Summary

This is not another chronological retelling of the Mexican War. Instead, it examines civil-military clashes during the war in light of Jacksonian politics and the American citizen-soldier tradition, looking at events that shed light on civilian authority over the military, as well as the far reaching impact of political ambition during this period (specifically, presidential power and the quest for the presidency). By 1848, Americans had come to realize that in their burgeoning democracy, generals and politicians could scarcely resist the temptation to use war for partisan gain. It was a lesson well learned and one that still resonates today.

Author Biography

John C. Pinheiro is Assistant Professor of History at Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Mich. Grand Rapids, Mich.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xi
Introduction	p. 1
Jacksonian America and the Coming of the Mexican War	p. 7
"State Feuds and Factious Jealousy"	p. 35
"All Whigs and violent partisans"	p. 59
"A Number of Worthless Men"	p. 83
"I was once viceroy"	p. 105
Serving "the Great Body of the People"	p. 131
The Mexican War in the American Civil-Military Tradition	p. 155
Documents	p. 181
James K. Polk, Inaugural Address, 4 March 1845	p. 181
James K. Polk, Message to Congress, 11 May 1846	p. 183
"Gaines Letter," Zachary Taylor to Edmund P. Gaines, 9 November 1846	p. 189
William L. Marcy to Zachary Taylor, 27 January 1847	p. 192
Zachary Taylor to William L. Marcy, 3 March 1847	p. 192
"Leonidas Letter," 16 September 1847	p. 194
Thomas Hart Benton, "Vindication of the President" Speech, 25 January 1847	p. 196
Winfield Scott, "Proclamation to the Good People of Mexico," 11 April 1847	p. 197
Winfield Scott, "Proclamation to the Good People of Mexico," 11 May 1847	p. 198
Stephen W. Kearny, "Proclamation to the citizens of New Mexico, by Colonel Kearny, commanding the United States forces," 31 July 1846	p. 199
Stephen W. Kearny, "Proclamation to the inhabitants of New Mexico by Brigadier General S. W. Kearny, commanding the troops of the United States in the same," 22 August 1846	p. 199
John D. Sloat, "Proclamation to the inhabitants of California," 7 July 1846	p. 200
Robert F. Stockton, "Proclamation to the people of California," 17 August 1846	p. 201
Robert F. Stockton, "Proclamation to the people of California," undated	p. 202
Robert F. Stockton to George Bancroft, 28 August 1846	p. 202
Abraham Lincoln to William H. Herndon, 15 February 1848	p. 203
Notes	p. 205
Selected Bibliography	p. 217
Index	p. 223
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