As the nation grew, the Americans interpretation of the West changed. Early Americans thought the area between the Appalachians and the Mississippi River was the western frontier. Americans begin to settled the western frontier to discovered there was more land beyond the Mississippi River. Achieving Manifest Destiny, was the Americans’ goal. Manifest Destiny was the belief that the United States was destined to extend from coast to coast (Atlantic to the Pacific) In Document B, it shows how the Americans to move to unclaimed lands in west in the mid-1800s. In order to accomplish Manifest Destiny, the United Stated had to go to war with Mexico.
A Spanish government in 1820 given Moses Austin a land grant for Texas. After Moses Austin died, …show more content…
Polk called for annexation of both Texas and Oregon (by the Oregon Treaty) and won the presidency of 1844. Just as promise, Teas and Oregon was added to the United States. Mexico was not satisfied with the decision because it never formally recognized Texan independence. In the treaty that Santa Anna signed it states the southern boundary of Texas at the Rio Grande, but the Mexican government claimed the boundary at the Nueces River. Polk offered money to Mexico to settle the claim of the Rio Grande border and the purchase California and the rest of New Mexico because Polk knew that the Mexico needed cash. Mexico refused the offer, not wanted to cede more land to the United States. Polk changed his plan and sent General Zachary Taylor to disputed land south of the Nueces. Mexico saw this as an act of war. They ambushed American patrols on the disputed land. So Polk asks Congress for a declaration of war. He said “[Mexico] has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil . . . .” (Document C). The war was popular with the southerners and westerners because the war meant more land. The northern on the other hand, argue that Polk provoked the war in the first place. Abraham Lincoln says “he is deeply conscious of being in the wrong” (Document D). Polk sends General Stephen Kearny to capture Santa Fe, New Mexico and Kearny from there was able to lead his troop to California. Before Kearny arrived, there already a revolt against Mexico
A Spanish government in 1820 given Moses Austin a land grant for Texas. After Moses Austin died, …show more content…
Polk called for annexation of both Texas and Oregon (by the Oregon Treaty) and won the presidency of 1844. Just as promise, Teas and Oregon was added to the United States. Mexico was not satisfied with the decision because it never formally recognized Texan independence. In the treaty that Santa Anna signed it states the southern boundary of Texas at the Rio Grande, but the Mexican government claimed the boundary at the Nueces River. Polk offered money to Mexico to settle the claim of the Rio Grande border and the purchase California and the rest of New Mexico because Polk knew that the Mexico needed cash. Mexico refused the offer, not wanted to cede more land to the United States. Polk changed his plan and sent General Zachary Taylor to disputed land south of the Nueces. Mexico saw this as an act of war. They ambushed American patrols on the disputed land. So Polk asks Congress for a declaration of war. He said “[Mexico] has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil . . . .” (Document C). The war was popular with the southerners and westerners because the war meant more land. The northern on the other hand, argue that Polk provoked the war in the first place. Abraham Lincoln says “he is deeply conscious of being in the wrong” (Document D). Polk sends General Stephen Kearny to capture Santa Fe, New Mexico and Kearny from there was able to lead his troop to California. Before Kearny arrived, there already a revolt against Mexico