The Election of 1844 and US-Mexico War
expansionists gain control of the Democratic Party
they nominate James K. Polk (Tennessee)
staunch pro-slavery expansionist
platform: “the reoccupation of Oregon and the reannexation of Texas”
appeals to the Northern and Souther expansionists
Polk narrowly wins
Tyler pushes Texas annexation through Congress via the Joint Resolution, days before leaving the White House
Mexico severs diplomatic relations
contested Texas border
Polk sent the United States Army into disputed territory, 1845
April 24, 1846, skirmish on Rio Grande which led to battles
United States Congress declared war on May 13
United States invaded and occupied the northern Mexico, 1846-48
claimed New Mexico and California as conquered United States territory
Mexico refused to surrender
March 1847, the United States invaded central Mexico by the sea
captured Mexico City in September
still there was no surrender
the United States negotiator Nicholas Trist agreed to a smaller territorial cession against Polk’s orders
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1848
Mexico cedes nearly 1/2 of it’s territory, acknowledges Texas annexation
United States pays $15 million to Mexico + $3.75 million to the United States citizens with claims against Mexico
500,000+ square miles at 5 cents per acre (not counting Texas)
1848, Gold Rush sends thousands to California
conflict over the expansion of slavery into new territory began immediately
expansionists gain control of the Democratic Party
they nominate James K. Polk (Tennessee)
staunch pro-slavery expansionist
platform: “the reoccupation of Oregon and the reannexation of Texas”
appeals to the Northern and Souther expansionists
Polk narrowly wins
Tyler pushes Texas annexation through Congress via the Joint Resolution, days before leaving the White House
Mexico severs diplomatic relations
contested Texas border
Polk sent the United States Army into disputed territory, 1845
April 24, 1846, skirmish on Rio Grande which led to battles
United States Congress declared war on May 13
United States invaded and occupied the northern Mexico, 1846-48
claimed New Mexico and California as conquered United States territory
Mexico refused to surrender
March 1847, the United States invaded central Mexico by the sea
captured Mexico City in September
still there was no surrender
the United States negotiator Nicholas Trist agreed to a smaller territorial cession against Polk’s orders
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1848
Mexico cedes nearly 1/2 of it’s territory, acknowledges Texas annexation
United States pays $15 million to Mexico + $3.75 million to the United States citizens with claims against Mexico
500,000+ square miles at 5 cents per acre (not counting Texas)
1848, Gold Rush sends thousands to California
conflict over the expansion of slavery into new territory began immediately