Polk

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Polks War The Mexican War (1846-1848)

• US History Spiconardi

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Background

• Mexicos government never recognized Texas
  independence
• Mexico breaks off diplomatic relations with the
  United States
• James K. Polk elected president in 1844
• Jacksonian Democrat
• Deep believer of Manifest Destiny
• Control of Southwest California would open
  trade opportunities with Asia
• Pro-slavery

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Path to War

• Polk encourages Texans to seize land up to the
  Rio Grande River
• Mexico claims that the Nueces River is the border
  b/t US and Mexico
• Polk offers forgiveness of loan and 30 million
  for the land in dispute
• Mexico has no stability in government cannot
  negotiate
• Presidency changes 4 times alone in 1846
• Polk instigates war by sending Gen. Zachary
  Taylor to border w/o a single troop who spoke
  Spanish (talked in French)
• After 3-week standoff Mexican troops attack US
  cavalry

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Path to War

• Polk to Congress Mexico had passed the boundary
  of the United States, had invaded our territory
  and shed blood on American soil.

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The War

• First American war fought on foreign soil
• Romantic Appeal
• Media portrays this as a war of conquest in a far
  off exotic land
• US wins all but one battle

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Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

• US not only gets Texas border at the Rio Grand
  River, but also
• New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, parts of
  Colorado and Wyoming, and California (access to
  Pacific Ocean
• MANIFEST DESTINTY COMPLETE US A CONTINTENTAL
  NATION

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Divisions within the US

• Slave Power Conspiracy
• Racism
• Wilmot Proviso
• Read your assigned document and share with the
  pertinent info with your group