Wednesday, Feb 25

Today we focused primarily on the start of the Mexican War and James K Polk's role in starting the war. Polk was a little known politician that rose to prominence by promising the American people that he would achieve Manifest Destiny. Manifest Destiny was the belief that America would expand from sea to sea. What Polk had to say was what Americans wanted to hear and he was elected President.

After Polk became President he then had to deliver. He quickly got Congress to annex Texas and he settled Oregon with an agreement with the British. However, when he tried to buy California from Mexico he was refused. To get Cali he would have to start a war.

Polk starts war with Mexico by using disputed territory at the border of Texas and Mexico. The disputed territory was between the Rio Grande River and the Nueces River. Polk sent American troops onto this land and they were fired upon by the Mexican army. Now Polk could go to Congress and get them to declare war on Mexico and thus War was on. We can certainly assume Polk knew full well what his decisions would lead to.

You should complete the handout #24. The bottom half notes should look like this:

Polk wanted to buy California
--- Mexico refused
--- but he still wanted to achieve Manifest Destiny
Polk started War
--- border dispute was what he used to start war
--- you should be able to sketch this out
Mexican War
--- war is over in 16 months
--- Mexican Cession is the result

You should also answer the questions on handout #26. These questions ask you to think about the role Polk played in this conflict and how important the concept of Manifest Destiny was in the war with Mexico and the getting of California as part of the United States. Also you should comment on what type of President James Polk was-a visionary leader or a bully.

Also, TEST TOMORROW!!!!