Polk and Expansion 1844-1846

Background: Texan Independence 1824: Mexico granted empresarios (Austin) large land grants, abolished slavery Many Americans moved to Texas, with slaves, violating Mexican law 1835: Santa Anna invaded Texas; Alamo defeat, massacre 1836: Houston & Texans defeated Santa Anna: recognition of Independent Texas Border agreement was not clear: Which river was the border? Key question for Americans: Would slavery in Texas cause slavery to spread Westward?

James Polk Stiff, politically astute, energetic work ethic Promised to expand US to fulfill Manifest Destiny Promised to serve only one term Polk cleverly used circumstances to add Oregon, Texas, California, southwest territories to US

Annexation of Oregon Andrew Melrose, westward the star of empire takes its way--near Council Bluffs Iowa, 1867 Before 1846, Northwest territory administration was shared between US and Britain Extreme believers in Manifest Destiny demanded US control up to 54°40’; rest of US-Canada border suggested 49° Polk knew 54°40’ would require war; knew that UK couldn’t afford war Polk ended joint occupation: gave UK year to negotiate 1846: UK chose negotiations over war: 49° treaty

Mexican American War: Causes Mexico failed to pay $2 million owed to US citizens Alamo massacre stirred American patriotism Polk’s election increased strength of pro-annexationists 1845: Congress voted to annex Texas, but Texas refused, fearing Mexican invasion Polk promised Texas to extend border to Rio Grande Mexican government politically could not make concessions to US, so refused to negotiate Polk ordered General Taylor to move troops to Rio Grande “border”, baiting Mexico to attack

Mexican American War: Events When Mexico attacked, Polk claimed to Congress that war had already started Anti-war Whigs had little choice but to support Polk (remember Federalists in 1812) US artillery, weapons, training easily defeated Mexico, despite fewer troops 1847: Mexico City taken, Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo by which US paid $15M and assumed debt to US citizens

Mexican American War: Results US territory expanded to Rio Grande Texas annexed into US California became US territory (gold rush soon to follow) Southwest became US territory (including western Colorado) Polk achieved goals of dramatically enlarging country