As you come in, please take a laptop off the cart, log in, and then… *turn your computer around so it faces Ms. Ford.

Please look for your partner, and remember who are going to be with. I will let you know when you will begin working

with one another.

1.Anna & Karen2.Rachel & Kaleigh3.Yevgeniya & Grace4.Crystal & Ashley5.Britney & TIllie6.Meredith & Logan7.Cobe & Jabari

8. Nya & Samantha M.9. Carolyn & Samantha G.10. Jake & Austin11.Alex G. & Taj12.Alex D. & Dylan13. Jesse & Nick14. Daniel & Jared

Annexation of Texas, President James K. Polk,

& Mexican War

Annexation of Texas• In 1845, Texas was finally

admitted to the Union as the 28th state

• Mexico was furious over the move and broke off diplomatic relations with the U.S.

• A dispute quickly arose over where the actual border was between the U.S. and Mexico; the U.S. claimed as far south as the Rio Grande, while Mexico claimed as far north as the Nueces River

The Election of 1844• The Whigs nominated Henry

Clay, who opposed annexing Texas because of slavery and for its potential to cause a war with Mexico

• The Democrats chose to run former Governor of Tennessee James K. Polk, who openly supported annexing Texas and formally claiming Oregon, over former President Martin Van Buren who argued against annexing Texas

James K. Polk• 1795 – 1849• 11th President (1845-49)• Democrat, Southerner (born in

North Carolina and was a UNC graduate), and slave-owner

• Nicknamed “Young Hickory” (for his similarities to “Old Hickory” – Andrew Jackson)

• Made several basic promises in his campaign (kept all of them) :– he would secure Oregon and

California– create an independent

treasury– he would lower tariffs– he would serve only one

term

Polk’s Achievements• Polk substantially lowered tariff

rates – this made him popular in the South and West

• Oversaw the groundbreaking for construction of the Washington Monument in 1848

• Authorized the U.S. Postal Service to issue postage stamps in 1847

• Approved the creation of the Smithsonian Institution in 1846

Polk’s Bid for California• In 1845, President Polk sent John

Slidell, to Mexico City with an offer to purchase the Mexican territory of California for $30 million

• The U.S. was interested in controlling territory along the Pacific, especially the valuable port of San Francisco, which would make trade with Asia easier

• The openly hostile Mexicans, angry over the annexation of Texas, refused to even meet with Slidell and the two nation’s moved towards war

• John Slidell (politician and businessman)

Individually work on the interactive timeline

(starting with 1821, going to May 1846) and fill out the

causes side of the cause/effect chart (in regard

to the Mexican War)

With your assigned partner-Think, Pair, Share:

• The Monroe Doctrine warned European nations to stay out of political affairs in Central and South America, in a way attempting to eliminate imperialism.

• Do you think American expansion was essentially a form of imperialism?

• Why, or why not?

With you partner, read President James K. Polk’s

Message on the War with Mexico, completing the 6 C’s of a Primary

Document graphic organizer

When you are finished, go back to the timeline and fill out the effects of the Mexican War in the box on

the right side

The Mexican War (1846-48)• In response to Mexico’s

refusal to receive Slidell, Polk ordered U.S. troops under the command of Gen. Zachary Taylor to secure the Texas border at the Rio Grande

• Mexico considered this an invasion of Mexican territory and an act of war

• The Mexican army attacked Taylor’s forces, leading the U.S. to declare war on May 13, 1846 • Gen. Zachary Taylor

The Mexican War (1846-48)

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo• The war lasted for two very bloody

years before Mexico finally surrendered after U.S. forces captured Mexico City

• The two sides signed the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo in February 1848

• Mexico ceded 500,000 sq. miles of territory (California, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico)

• Mexico accepted Rio Grande as southern border of Texas

• In return, the U.S. paid Mexico $15 million and assumed $3.25 million in debts Mexico owed to American citizens

The Mexican Cession