Tuesday, April 4

During the election of 1844 the annexation of Texas is going to be one of the major issues during the campaign. The final nominees for president will be Henry Clay and James K. Polk. During the campaign Henry Clay will avoid taking a firm stance on the idea of Manifest Destiny, knowing that when it is discussed it often causing conflict over slave and free states creating an unbalance in our Union. However, James K. Polk will not shy away. Manifest Destiny will be a major platform during his campaign and be for the expansion of the U.S.

Therefore when Polk wins the election he takes that as a sign that America is for annexing Texas and fulfilling their Manifest Destiny. This however causes tension with Mexico- leading to possible war.

Annexing Texas then raised the question and dispute over each nations borders. After Texas had rebelled they claimed their land as everything North of the Rio Grande.

However, Mexico only recognized Texas and now America's land as north of the Nueces River. President Polk will first send John Slidell a U.S. representative to Mexico City to negotiate a solution and prevent war. Additionally, Polk orders General Zachary Taylor to take a large U.S. army to Corpus Christi- near the Nueces River not to start war but to be ready.

If you are absent on this day in class you will need to read through this passage and identify 4 different causes of the Mexican War. Get worksheet from Ms. Morris to transfer reasons the next time you are in class, we will continue to add the effects of the war on this document.