1. The U.S.-Mexican War

2. James K. Polk Supported Manifest Destiny
“Dark horse” candidate for president in 1844
Native of Tennessee
Supported Manifest Destiny
Supported the Monroe Doctrine
Wanted to guarantee U.S. a clear passage to the Pacific
Passed resolution to annex Texas as a slave state
Despite Northern objections to the spread of slavery

3. Mexico Responds Mexican President refused to speak to U.S. diplomats
President sought a diplomatic solution to the Texas border
Texas claimed Rio Grande as TX border
Offered $25 million for the California & New Mexico territory
Mexican President refused to speak to U.S. diplomats
Broke off diplomatic relations

4. Outbreak of War
General Zachary Taylor order to march beyond the Nueces River
Mexicans believed this was the southern border of Texas
American forces camped at the Rio Grande River
In April 1846, Mexican soldiers crossed the Rio Grande River & attacked
According to the Mexicans, this was Mexican territory.

5. War (Continued) Polk and his cabinet agreed this was grounds for war
Asked Congress for a declaration of war against Mexico
Mexico had “…invaded our territory & shed American blood upon American soil”
On May 13th, 1846: Congress declared war
Most Democrats supported the war
Whigs & many Americans did not support the war
Called it American aggression against a weaker neighbor
Illinois congressman Lincoln claimed the spot was clearly in Mexico
Frederick Douglass called it “disgraceful” & “cruel”

6. Polk’s War Strategy Massive invasion
Gen. Taylor invaded northern Mexico
General Winfield Scott invaded Mexico City from the Gulf of Mexico

7. John C. Fremont leads a revolt in California
Gen. Stephen Kearny marched west and captured Santa Fe, and supported revolt in California
John C. Fremont leads a revolt in California
Create the Bear Flag Republic

8. Mexican Cession Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed to end the war
U.S. claimed Texas with the Rio Grande as the southern border
Mexico recognized them as part of the U.S.
Paid $15 million for California and New Mexico territory
Included present day Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and parts of Colorado
Almost ½ of Mexico

9. 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

10. Completion of Manifest Destiny
In 1853, the United States purchased the southern portion of New Mexico
Gadsden Purchase
$10 million dollars for the U.S. to have flat land for a southern transcontinental railroad
Populations grew with new settlers flooding west
Manifest destiny had come true
Polk lays the cornerstone of a monument honoring George Washington on July 4, 1848
August 1848 – gold was discovered in California