Unit 5

Westward Expansion - Annexation

Objective: I will be able to understand political decisions that were made in

relation to westward expansion

Texas Revolution

• Westward movement on the rise… settlers outnumbering Mexicans in Texas 10 to 1

• Found to be independent

Election of 1844

Henry Clay• Confident he

would win• Pushed for

annexation too late

James K. Polk• Wanted

annexation of TX

• Proponent of westward expansion

VS

Polk Wins!!!

ANNEXATION

• Some Americans oppose adding another slave state

• Fear war with Mexico• Many Americans support

Manifest Destiny, westward expansion

• Polk’s victory helps bring approval for Annexation

• Texas had strong U.S. ties and badly needed U.S. military and monetary aid

• December 29, 1845: James K. Polk signed legislation making Texas the 28th state

Tensions with Mexico

• Boundary disputes• U.S. claimed Rio Grande as border & Mexico

declared it to be the Nueces • U.S. Troops moved towards Rio Grande