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James K. Polk - VUS.6
A surprise candidate from the Democrats (considered a “dark horse”), and a strong supporter of MANIFEST DESTINY, the election of Polk symbolized the readiness of America to expand again. The annexation of Texas was the key issue in the election of 1844, Polk stood in favor and Henry Clay stood in opposition. -
Texas joins and becomes a state (VUS.6b)
A joint resolution by Congress approved the annexation of Texas in February of 1845 after the popularity was shown in the election of 1844. Texas became a territory in October, and quickly achieved statehood on December 29, 1845! Read MORE -
War with Mexico Begins (VUS.6b)
Expansionists had their eyes on the territory west of Texas to the Pacific Ocean. The problem was that Mexico owned it and refused to sell. By motivating the already angry Mexican army to attack American forces in Texas, a declaration of war from Congress was signed. A war of expansion was on! Read More -
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War with Mexico (VUS.6b)
The American victory in the Mexican War during the 1840s led to the acquisition of an enormous territory
that included the present-day states of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and New
Mexico. The war brought a new round of military heroes who would later compete for the office of President! MORE on this war -
“54-40 or Fight” and the Oregon Treaty (VUS.6b)
Expansionists demanded the annexation of the entire Oregon Territory, which had been shared with Britain since the War of 1812. By chanting “54-40 or Fight” (the northern most boundary of Oregon), the threat of another war was real. The British entered into negotiations, and a compromise line at the 49th parallel was agreed upon. Read MORE -
Gold Discovered at Sutter’s Mill, California (VUS.6b)
This event sparked the great “California Gold Rush” which would peak in 1849, turning the sparsely populated California territory into a state in 1850! Fortunes were made and lost during this time, but these Forty-Niners would help bolster the national wealth and stretch America from “Sea to shining Sea”. Read MORE -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (VUS.6b)
This treaty included the acquisition of an enormous territory that included the present-day states of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and New Mexico. The US paid Mexico about $18 Million for the territory (about half what was originally offered), and the Rio Grande became the official border between Texas and Mexico. Read MORE about the war and the treaty -
Seneca Falls Declaration (VUS.6e)
At the same time the abolitionist movement grew, another reform movement took root, to give equal rights to women. Women, such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, met in 1848 to demand the rights of citizens. Their Declaration at Seneca Falls stated their desire for equality. The struggle for women’s rights would continue after the Civil War – Read MORE!
