1. Manifest Destiny and the U.S.-Mexican War

2. Manifest Destiny Term originated by newspaper editor John O’Sullivan in 1845 Merging of political and economic goals Merging of political and economic goals Many people supported expansion through any means necessary Many people supported expansion through any means necessary

3. Election of 1844 James K. Polk - Democrat James K. Polk - Democrat  “Dark horse” candidate  Congressman from Tennessee Supported manifest destiny Supported manifest destiny  Occupy Oregon to the 54° 40’ parallel  Annex Texas as a slave state

4. One of Polk’s campaign slogans – “Fifty-four forty or fight!”

5. Oregon Territory Territory split at the 49 th parallel to avoid war with Great Britain Used the existing border and drew it to the Pacific Ocean

6. Texas Annexation Northerners opposed annexation of Texas Annexation by a joint- resolution passed in the U.S. Congress in Dec. 1845 Border dispute ensues  U.S. – Rio Grande River  Mexico – Nueces River

7. Relations with Mexico Polk sent diplomat John Slidell to Mexico to negotiate Polk sent diplomat John Slidell to Mexico to negotiate  Offered $25 million for California, the New Mexico territory, & Rio Grande as the Texas border President of Mexico refused and broke off diplomatic relations President of Mexico refused and broke off diplomatic relations

8. General Zachary Taylor order to march beyond the Nueces River General Zachary Taylor order to march beyond the Nueces River  Camped at the Rio Grande In April 1846, Mexican soldiers crossed the Rio Grande River & attacked In April 1846, Mexican soldiers crossed the Rio Grande River & attacked

9. Polk’s Appeal to Congress Polk and his cabinet saw the attack as an act of war Polk and his cabinet saw the attack as an act of war  “…invaded our country and shed American blood on American soil.” Congress declared war on May 13, 1846 Congress declared war on May 13, 1846 Northerners called it American aggression against a weaker neighbor to extend slavery Northerners called it American aggression against a weaker neighbor to extend slavery

10. Gen. Taylor invaded northern Mexico Gen. Taylor invaded northern Mexico General Winfield Scott invaded Mexico City from the Gulf of Mexico General Winfield Scott invaded Mexico City from the Gulf of Mexico

11. War in the West Gen. Stephen Kearny marched west and captured Santa Fe, and supported revolt in California 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 John C. Fremont leads the Bear Flag Revolt by Americans in California

12. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo End of the war End of the war  Signed at Basilica of Guadalupe at Villa Hidalgo Rio Grande is the southern border of the U.S. Rio Grande is the southern border of the U.S.  Mexico recognized Texas as part of the U.S. Paid $15 million for California and New Mexico territory Paid $15 million for California and New Mexico territory

13. Because of Polk’s failing health and because he had accomplished all he wanted in one term, he did not seek reelection Anti-slavery Democrats formed this party

14. Completion of Manifest Destiny Southerners desired a flat land for a southern transcontinental railroad Southerners desired a flat land for a southern transcontinental railroad  Wanted to link southern land to the Pacific Gadsden Purchase Gadsden Purchase  In 1853, purchased from Mexico for $10 million dollars