The War with México Chapter 7 Section 4

Election of 1844 Democrats choose James K. Polk as their candidate for president, Republicans – Henry Clay Polk promised to annex Texas and Oregon Territory and buy California from Mexico He promised to balance free and slave states

James K. Polk

Treaty of Oregon 1846 Oregon Question – fight over Oregon Country between U.S. and British “Fifty-four Forty or Fight” – declared the U.S. should control all of Oregon below the line of 54 40’ north latitude Avoiding confrontation with British, U.S. received all of Oregon south of 49 degree north latitude and west of Rocky Mtns, except tip of Vancouver Island

Annexation of Texas President Tyler annexed Texas, adding Texas in 1845 to U.S. Move outraged Mexico as it considered Texas part of its territory Texas southern border in dispute Mexico considered Nueces River as border U.S. and Texans considered Rio Grande border (150 miles further south)

The War With Mexico General Zachary Taylor crossed Nueces River, in Mexico’s view, invasion of its territory May 9, 1846, Polk declares U.S. is at war with Mexico War dubbed “Mr. Polk’s War”

Zachary Taylor, General & 12th President

The War With Mexico (cont.) Plan was to cross Rio Grande while another force capture Santa Fe, N.M. More troops would march west to control California, while U.S. forces would go to Mexico City and force Mexico to surrender U.S. forces established formal occupation in September 1847

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Mexico’s Provisions Ceded 500,000 sq. miles to U.S. Accepted Rio Grande as Texas southern border U.S. Provisions Paid Mexico $15 million Claimed $3.25 million in Mexican debt to American citizens