The Democrats and Expansion: During the election of 1844 the issue that was being avoided was the annexation of Texas. The southern Democrats who supported the annexation nominated James K. Polk while the Whigs partied nominated Henry Clay. The combination of the Oregon and Texas questions appealed to both the south and the north which allowed for Polk to enter into office. That December Texas became a state and Polk decided to do something about the Oregaon issue. After his proposal of establishing the 49th. parallel as the U.S.- Canadian border was rejected by the British minister the frist time, the second time around in fear of war or disruption, the Canadians agreed to this establishment which solved the border dispute. |
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The Southwest and California: Tensions grew between the United States and Mexico as resentment fromt he southern country still lived because of the loss of Texas. As soon as Texas was admitted into statehood by the U.S, the mexican government broke all diplomatic relations with Washington. This resulted in a border dispute between both countries as Texans claimed that the Rio Grande was their western and southern border while Mexico claimed otherwise. Also, in New Mexico a flourishing commerce developed as this region began to become more American than Mexican. An increase in interest in California brought in American settlers from all over who soon dreamed of bringing this area into the states as well. |
The Mexican War: To avoid war the U.S. attempted to buy off Mexico but they declined the offer of purchasing New Mexico and California. America took this as a warning of war and President Polk ordered a small army over the Nueces River and for months Mexcio refused to fight. Until Mexican troops crossed the rio Grande and attacked a group of American soldiers which led to the declaration of war against Mexico on May 13,1846 by congress. However there was much opposition of this war because many believed it was draining attention and resources away from the truly important issues and the situation got worst from here. In 1846 the conquest of California (Bear flag revolution) was completed by Colonel Kearny. After much consideration, the two countries decided to reach a negotiation which was called the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on February 2, 1848 which recognized New Mexico and California as U.S. territory and set the Texas boundary off of the Rio Grande in exchange for 15 million dollars and the assumption of any financial claims to new citizens. |
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Looking Westward| Expansion and War| The Sectional Debate| The Crisis of the 1850's| Lyceum