2/27/2014
Manifest
Destiny and the
U.S.-Mexican
War
Election of 1844
James K. Polk - Democrat
“Dark horse” candidate
Congressman from
Tennessee
Supported manifest destiny
Occupy Oregon and reach
the Pacific to the 54°40’
parallel
Annex Texas as a slave state
Oregon Territory
Split at the 49th
parallel with
Great Britain
One of Polk’s campaign
slogans – “Fifty-four
forty or fight!”
To avoid war
Used the existing
border and drew it
to the Pacific
Ocean
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Relations with Mexico
Texas Annexation
Northerners opposed
annexation of Texas
By a joint-resolution in
the U.S. Congress
Polk sent diplomat John
Slidell to Mexico to
negotiate
December 1845
Border dispute ensues
U.S. – Rio Grande River
Mexico – Nueces River
Offered $25 million for
California, the New
Mexico territory, & Rio
Grande as the Texas
border
President of Mexico
refused and broke off
diplomatic relations
Polk’s Appeal to Congress
General Zachary
Taylor ordered
beyond the Nueces
River
Camped at the Rio
Grande
In April 1846, Mexican
soldiers crossed the
Rio Grande River &
attacked
Polk saw Mexican attack as an
act of war
His cabinet agreed
“…invaded our country and shed
American blood on American soil.”
Congress declared war on May
13, 1846
Northerners called it American
aggression against a weaker
neighbor to extend slavery
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War in the West
Gen. Taylor invaded
northern Mexico
General Winfield
Scott invaded Mexico
City from the Gulf of
Mexico
Gen. Stephen
Kearny marched
west and captured
Santa Fe, and
supported revolt in
California
John C. Fremont
leads the Bear Flag
Revolt by Americans
in California
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
End of the war
Signed at Basilica of
Guadalupe at Villa
Hidalgo
Rio Grande is the
southern border of
the U.S.
Texas recognized as
America
Anti-slavery
Democrats
formed this
party
Because of Polk’s failing health
and because he had accomplished
all he wanted in one term, he did
not seek reelection
Paid $15 million for
California and New
Mexico territory
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Completion of Manifest Destiny
Southerners desired a
flat land for a
southern
transcontinental
railroad
Wanted to link southern
land to the Pacific
Gadsden Purchase
In 1853, purchased from
Mexico for $10 million
dollars
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