Goal: To identify the causes of the Texas

RevolutionTo understand the diverse culture of Texas

Polk narrowly defeats Clay in 1844.Polk is an Expansionist Democrat;

he believes in “Manifest Destiny.”

POLK’S GOALS:1. Annex Texas2. Take over Oregon3. Acquire California

Polk and Dallas FlagThis campaign banner celebrating the candidacy of James K. Polk and George M. Dallas on the Democratic ticket carries a subtle message conveying the party's platform. Surrounding Polk's picture are twenty-five stars, one for each state in the Union. Outside the corner box, a twenty-sixth star stands for Texas, which Polk promised to annex. (Collection of David J. and Janet L. Frent)

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

The Election of 1844demonstrated one incontestable fact: the annexation of Texas had more national support than Clay had realized. The surging popular sentiment for expansion that made the underdog Polk rather than Clay the man of the hour reflected a growing conviction among the people that America's natural destiny was to expand into Texas and all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

Q: Why would the North not want Texas in the union?

A: For many reasons…1. Slavery was allowed in Texas2. Making TX a state would upset

the Missouri Compromise more Sectionalism

3. Mexico might be moved to war

“Lone Star State” stands aloneMexico threatens to recapture itTexas turns to France and Great Britain Expansionists fear a return of European

powers to the Western Hemisphere/violation of the Monroe Doctrine

Issue of slavery and war with Mexico delays annexation

Texas is annexed by US in 1845, infuriating Mexico and many Northerners.

Boundary of Texas still in dispute.

“Our manifest destiny is to overspread and posses the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and…self-government.”

-John L. O’Sullivan, 1845

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:Americans believe it is their destiny to expand the US borders to the Pacific.

John Gast’s “American Progress,” 1872

I regard the question of annexation as belonging exclusively to the United States and Texas. They are independent powers competent to contract, and foreign nations have no right to interfere with them or to take exceptions to their reunion. Foreign powers do not seem to appreciate the true character of our Government. Our Union is a confederation of independent States, whose policy is peace with each other and all the world. To enlarge its limits is to extend the dominions of peace over additional territories and increasing millions. The world has nothing to fear from military ambition in our Government. …. Foreign powers should therefore look on the annexation of Texas to the United States not as the conquest of a nation seeking to extend her dominions by arms and violence, but as the peaceful acquisition of a territory once her own, by adding another member to our confederation, with the consent of that member, thereby diminishing the chances of war and opening to them new and ever-increasing markets for their products.

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49th

Oregon Boundary DisputeAlthough demanding that Britain cede the entire Oregon Territory south of 54°40', the United States settled for a compromise at the forty-ninth parallel. SLOGAN: “Fifty four forty or fight!”

President Polk tries to buy California from Mexico. His envoy, John Slidell, is refused.

Polk orders Gen. Zachary Taylor and 4,000 men to the Rio Grande

April 25, 1846 Mexican troops kill 11 AmericansUS declares war

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Gen. Zachary Taylor defeats overwhelming Mexican forces at Buena Vista (see page 275)

Stephen Kearny and John Fremont “liberate” New Mexico and then California and declare the “Bear Flag Revolt” in 1846.

Gen. Winfield Scott leads successful amphibious landing at Veracruz. Leads US troops to Mexico City 1847, wins victory against great odds.

Whigs call for end of war.Expansionists want to continue the invasionTreaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed in

1848, US to pay $15 million for land gained, known as the Mexican Cession, and assume claims of US citizens against Mexico

US completes the current “lower 48” by purchasing land for $10 million for a southern transcontinental railroad, known as the “Gadsden Purchase.’