U.S. History

Questions about Texas Tensions between Mexico & the U.S. grew under President Tyler. He wanted to annex Texas. In 1844, he brought the issue to the Senate. BUT Tyler accidentally included a letter from John C. Calhoun that contained a fierce defense of slavery. Annexation was defeated 35 to 16.

Election of 1844 Whig  Senator Henry Clay Democrat  James K. Polk  Governor of Tennessee  He supported the annexation of both Texas and Oregon  He wanted to buy California from Mexico

Oregon “Fifty-four Forty or Fight”  Polk’s supporters believed the U.S. had the right to control all land south of 54*40’ north latitude  Oregon Treaty – American control of all land south of 49*  British navigational rights to the Columbia River

Texas Despite the Calhoun letter, Texas was later annexed Resolution passed and Texas became 28 th state Mexico & the U.S. disputed the southern boundaries of Texas, claiming:  Mexico – Nueces River  U.S. – Rio Grande River

Leaders of the Countries Mexico - Jose Herrera United States - James K. Polk

Increased Tension After Texas, Polk still wanted to buy California. In November 1845, he sent John Slidell as a special envoy, or representative, to Mexico City. But Jose Herrera refused to sell the territory.

Zachary Taylor Herrera’s actions ended any chance of a peaceful solution Polk ordered Taylor to cross the Nueces River He wanted Mexican soldiers to fire the first shot Mexico viewed this as an invasion & attacked on May 9

The War with Mexico 1. Congressional Declaration of War (May 13, 1846) 2. 3 pronged military attack A. Zachary Taylor would move south over the Rio Grande B. Colonel Kearny would capture Santa Fe then march to California with help from navy C. U.S. troops would then advance to Mexico City

Volunteers For the 3 pronged attack to work, the U.S. needed to expand the army. President Polk called for 50,000 volunteers. Almost 73,000 enlisted.

California Before troops arrived, General John C. Fremont led an uprising and overthrew Mexican officials Once California became independent, it was renamed the Bear Flag Republic (June 14, 1846)

PEACE After the fall of Mexico City, Herrera surrendered. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (February 2, 1848)  Mexico ceded, or gave up, more than 500,000 sq. miles  Rio Grande became the southern U.S. & Mexican border  U.S. paid Mexico $15 million and took $3.25 million in debt