Post on 26-Dec-2015
Manifest Destiny
• US Adds Texas in 1845
• US Agrees on Compromise to add Oregon in 1846
• Got Oregon from Britain
What is going on with Texas?
• Two times over the 9 years, Texas applied to the United States Congress of annexation (adding to the US) - both times Congress says NO
• Some Congressmen did not want to anger Mexican officials who still regarded Texas as part of their country
• Other Congressmen, did not want a large slave territory to be added to the US.
Border Dispute with Mexico
• US says border is Rio Grande
• Mexico says border is Nueces
• Both sides warn the other to stay out!
• US offers to buy CA and NM Territory for 20-25 million dollars
• Manifest Destiny- idea that it is meant to happen for the US to expand from ocean to ocean
Texas
• In 1844 when James K. Polk was elected President - he believed it was God’s plan that America extend its territory from one ocean to the other.
• After polk’s election, but before he took office, Congress reversed itself and voted to annex Texas.
• In July 1845 he sent American troops under General Zachary Taylor into the disputed area of southern Texas.
• He also sent John Slidell to Mexico City to try and buy California.
• The combination of American troops at the Rio Grande and the attempt to buy a large part of their country angered the Mexican government.
• Slidell was asked to leave Mexico City.
• Polk felt as though American’s honor had been challenged
• When word arrived on May 9, 1846 that Mexican soldiers had fired upon Americans on the “Texas side” of the Rio Grande, President Polk had a reason for going to war.
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ends Mexican War- 1848
• 3 parts to treaty1. Rio Grande is border
2. US gets CA and NM Territories for 15 million dollars (40% of Mexico’s land)
3. Mexico agrees TX is part of the US