POLK AND EXPANSION

1. POLK AND EXPANSION How the West Was Stolen

2. James K. Polk

3. Events during Polk's administrations 1845-1848 • Texas admitted (1845) as a slave state; • Iowa (1846) and Wisconsin (1848) as free states. • War with Mexico (1846-48). • Wilmot Proviso defeated (1846). • Northwest boundary question settled by treaty with Great Britain (1846). Low tariff act passed (1846). • Sewing machine patented by Elias Howe (1846). • Gold discovered in California (1848). • Territory of Oregon organized without slavery (1848).

4. Manifest Destiny and the Mexican American War “For this blessed mission the nations of the world, which are shut out from the life-giving light of truth, has America been chosen; and her high example shall smite unto death the tyranny of kings,hierarchs, and oligarchs, and carry the glad tidings of peace and good will where myriads now endure an existence scarcely more enviable than that of beasts of the field.”

5. Manifest Destiny • What does it mean? • What example have we already seen in American history?

6. TEXAS • In 1819 the US renounced its claim to Texas as part of the Louisiana Purchase. • John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson tried to buy it but Mexico refused. • The territories were considered states in the Independent Republic of Mexico. There was little supervision.

7. Texas cont. • In the 1820s Mexico offered land grants to Stephen Austin and others to encourage white settlers to come and boost the economy. • By 1835 35,000 Americans were living in Texas. • Many brought slaves

8. Texas cont. • In 1836 the Americans in Texas claimed independence. • Mexico sent its dictator, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and attacked the Alamo.

9. Texas cont. • Sam Houston rallied a small army and captured Santa Anna near present day Houston. • Texas had now secured its independence and sought annexation by the US.

10. Texas cont. • In 1836 Jackson did not even recognize Texas or even consider annexation for fear of sectional controversy. • Why?

11. OREGON • By the mid 1840s more than 5000 people had settled in Oregon. • They demanded that the US protect them under their wing. • Polk goes to Britain and suggests the 49th parallel as the boundary. Britain refuses. • There is loose talk of war on both sides • 54’40 or FIGHT!!

12. Oregon cont. • Neither side wanted war and Britain agrees on the 49th parallel. • June 15th 1846 the boundary is set and relations are strengthen with Britain.

13. WAR WITH MEXICO • Mexico had also offered land grants in the southwest near California and New Mexico. • Polk sent John Slidell to offer Mexico $25 million for the land. • Slidell failed.

14. Mexico cont. • Polk ordered his army to move across the Nueces river towards the Rio Grande. • Mexico said the Nueces was the boundary and the US said the Rio Grande was the boundary. • On January 13th US Troops moved and waited. • By May Mexico crossed the Rio Grande and attacked. • On May 13, 1846 the US declared war.

15. Mexico cont. • Zachary Taylor was the Commander of the US troops. • Initially there was enthusiastic celebration about the war. • Early victories at Resaca de Palma and and Palo Alto boosted morale. • Volunteers to fight came throughout the country and the US was thrust into another foreign war.

16. The Mexican War • Although war had be declared on May 13, the 2 armies met already on May 8&9 at Palo Alto and Resaca de Palma. • Reports came out that 700 Mexicans were killed at Metamoros. • People became excited about the war.

17. Early in the War • On May 23, 1846 news reached Washington of Taylor’s early victories. • “Ho! For the Halls of the Montezumas • 50,000 volunteered for 12 months or the duration of the war. • 30,000 Tennesseeans responded for a call of 3,000. • Illinois raised 14 regiments when it called for 4.

18. Reaction on the Homefront • Americans grew fevered with a war spirit. • Palo Alto Merchandise was sold. • Taylor Saloons opened. • The war had a romantic appeal because it provided a view to another land.

19. Fun Facts • Polk was the first president to define the role of Commander in Chief. • The war coincided with the advent of the penny press. • It was the first major American event to be covered by the press. • The Associated Press (AP) began as result of the danger for war correspondents.

20. Americans Views of Mexico • The Mexican soldiers were seen as cold blooded and ruthless. • Images of Mexicans dressed from head to toe with guns and knives. • Americans viewed themselves as racially superior. • Better soldiers • Wolves ate the American soldiers before the Mexican soldiers.

21. Zachary Taylor “Old Rough and Ready” Loved by his troops Father fought in the Revolution Taylor slept in a common tent with no distinction Winfield Scott Emotional man Not very well liked No long line of military history Conqueror of Mexico The Generals

22. The War • The 1st objective was to cross the Rio Grande and occupy Northeast Mexico. • Monterrey • The idea was to force Mexico to agree to American terms by seizing key areas on the Mexican frontier. • Taylor was slow to capture Monterrey

23. The War • Winfield Scott led the next offensives. • Pushes on to Vera Cruz and Mexico City. • Mexico forms a new government and is ready to surrender.

24. The Treaty • Polk sends Nicholas Trist to negotiate a treaty. • Mexico would cede New Mexico and California to the US for $15 Million. • Rio Grande is the boundary of Texas • Polk acted upset because many called for more territory. • Senate approves the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago 38-14.

25. Final Thought • The Mexican War did bring America to a crossroads - but it was a crossroads of a different kind, unanticipating, baffling, and frought with peril for the Republic.