Transcript alimanschool.org

U.S. Annexation of Texas and Mexican War
“54-40” or “Fight” (1846)
Nuha Masood
U.S. Annexation of Texas and Mexican War
● During this time, James K. Polk claimed this to be “the greatest
territorial expansion of the U.S. to date.”
● Following Texas’s independence against Mexico in 1836,
President Martin van Buren refrained from annexing
Texas after the Mexicans threatened war because it was a
slavery state.
● Because of this, the United States took no further action that had
anything to do with annexing until 1844. President John Tyler
restarted negotiations with the Republic of Texas.
Continued...
● This led to the Treaty of Annexation which caused Mexicans to
have severe diplomatic relationships with United States, though
however Tyler lacked the notes to ratify the treaty, it was defeated
widely in June.
● Before he could leave office, Tyler tried again, but this time there
was a joint solution of both houses of Congress. Eventually, the
joint resolution was passed on March 1, 1845.
● Texas was finally admitted into the United States on December 29.
“54-40” or “Fight” (1846)
●
●
●
●
●
●
At that time, the Oregon Territory spanned the modern states of Oregon, Idaho, and
Washington, as well as some of the western coast of Canada. Both Great Britain and
America claimed that territory.
The Treaty of 1818 called for a joint occupation of Oregon - a solution that was only
temporary.
American settlers began to outnumber British settlers by the late 1830s, though Britain
were armed heavily with their navy.
Oregon had many illnesses during the time, so they headed west on the Oregon Trail.
Families in caravans up to 20 to 30 went to escape, but poor eastern families could not go
because the expedition required some form of wealth and was expensive.
It took six months of travel at the speed of 15 miles per day to reach their
destination.
Continued...
●
●
●
●
●
●
Meanwhile in the east, Polk called for expansion that included Texas, California, and the
entire Oregon Territory.
The northern boundary of Oregon was the latitude line of 54 degrees, 40 minutes, hence
the name.
Though Polk gloated about obtaining the territory from Britain, he secretly wanted a
compromise.
Now the Mexicans were mad and the United States could not afford to fight both the
British and the Mexicans at the same time.
Still, Polk boldly declared that joint occupation would end in a year. The British were
confident that they would win, but they were defeated greatly from a margin from the
Oregon territory 6:1.
In June, Britain compromised splitting Oregon at the 49th parallel. Polk agreed to the
compromise.
a