The War with Mexico

1. The War with Mexico Section 3

2. The Lingering Question of Texas Territorial disputes with the U.S. and Mexico started way back when the U.S. claimed Texas as part of the Louisiana Purchase U.S. renounced that claim in the Adams-Onis Treaty Tensions grew during the John Tyler years as he was trying to bring Texas into the Union Southerners already took slaves into the regions, therefore it was certain to support slavery Antislavery leaders in Congress opposed annexation Mexico would also never recognize independence for Texas

3. Texas and Oregon Enter the Union Read this Section

4. The Election of 1844 Whig Henry Clay Democratic president Martin Van Buren Both were cautious in their speeches when it came to annexation, neither candidate wanting to lose supporters Van Buren was indecisive and it cost him the nomination for his party, James K. Polk got the nomination Polk promised to annex not only Texas but the Oregon Territory

5. Cont. He also vowed to buy California from Mexico Appealed to both Northern and Southerners because it expanded the country and kept balance between free and slave states Clay was against annexation but backpedaled after the support Polk received The Whig party split over Clay’s back and forth decisions paving the way for Polk to win the election

6. The Oregon Question Polk took a strong stance on Oregon British claimed the territory Supports cried out “Fifty-four Forty or Fight” Polk agreed to split the territory June 1846 an agreement was made by the U.S. and Great Britain U.S. received all of Oregon south of 49 degrees north latitude, except southern tip of Vancouver Island

7. The Annexation of Texas Read this section

8. The War with Mexico Herrera’s snub ended any realistic chance of diplomatic solution Polk sends troops over Nueces River into Mexico’s view led by Zachary Taylor Wanted Mexico to fire first shot May 9, 1846 new reached Polk that force of Mexicans had attacked Taylor’s men Polk baits Congress and U.S. into war May 13 Senate voted 40-2 and House voted 174-14 in favor of war

9. Outline the rest of this section Due at the end of class