Manifest Destiny Go West Young Man Go West

The Beginning of Expansion Louisiana Purchase 1803 Florida Purchase from Spain Webster-Ashburton Treaty Settled the disputed boundary between Maine and Canada

Manifest Destiny Election of 1844 James K Polk Campaigned on the idea of Manifest Destiny Base on These Ideas Anglo-Saxon racial superiority extend free government and free enterprise the will of God specially ordained mission in the world

Mexico and Texas Policy of the government of Mexico toward Texas It encouraged American settlement in 1820's and early 1830's. Conflict between Mexico’s government and settlers import duties abolish slavery in its territory acceptance of the Catholic faith power of General Santa Anna

Texas Annexation Delay in annexing Texas Opposition in Congress to adding slave states Southerners strongly supported annexation Mexico charged U.S. had unjustly taken Texas; refused to recognize annexation Acquisition of TX helped remove the Europeans from U.S. southern border

Mexican War Polk sought to buy California from Mexico but tensions prevented such a purchase California gateway to the Pacific Texas’ annexation issue caused Mexico to sever diplomatic relations Boundary dispute: Original boundary was the northerly Nueces River; Texans claimed southerly Rio Grande

Mexican War U.S. claimed against Mexico $3 million in damages to U.S. citizens & property Mexico had formally agreed to assume this debt but defaulted Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico City in late 1845 to buy California for $25 million Mexico refused to allow Slidell to present his proposition Congress declares war on Mexico

Mexican War Major Consequences Long-term Mexican resentment Securing Texas’ southern border Increased sectional tensions Cession of California and New Mexico

Mexican War Results Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (Mexican Cession) $15 million to Mexico Boundary at the Rio Grande California New Mexico territory Important military experience that would be put to use in the Civil War

Opposition to the Idea of Manifest Destiny Members of the Whig party in Congress during the Mexican War

Oregon Territory 54º40' or Fight Slogan in getting Oregon Territory Polk negotiated a treaty with Britain 49º became northern boundary of US Polk abandoned campaign pledge of a boundary; "54-40 or fight!" Didn't want to ruin fragile north-south political balance with new additional northern states.

James K Polk Song

James K. Polk – They Might Be Giants In 1844, the Democrats were split The three nominees for the presidential candidate Were Martin Van Buren, a former president and an abolitionist James Buchanan, a moderate Louis Cass, a general and expansionist From Nashville came a dark horse riding up He was James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump

Austere, severe, he held few people dear His oratory filled his foes with fear The factions soon agreed He's just the man we need To bring about victory Fulfill our manifest destiny And annex the land the Mexicans command And when the votes were cast the winner was Mister James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump

In four short years he met his every goal He seized the whole southwest from Mexico Made sure the tariffs fell And made the English sell the Oregon territory He built an independent treasury Having done all this he sought no second term But precious few have mourned the passing of Mister James K. Polk, our eleventh president Young Hickory, Napoleon of the Stump