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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 7 page overview of this critical period in American history. This paper analyzes the annexation of Texas and the U.S. war with Mexico in accordance with the expansionist views of then President James K. Polk. The contention is presented that this annexation would prove to be a critical element in the ultimate break out of the American Civil War. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Page Count:
7 pages (~225 words per page)
File: AM2_PPtxAnnx.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
James K. Polk was President of the United States between 1845 and 1849. A proponent of the concept of manifest destiny, a
relict of nationalism where those of common origins banded together in an "us against them attitude", Polk led the United States victoriously during the Mexican American war which spanned between
1846 and 1848. He would be rewarded not only with the Mexican surrender of Texas but also a large expanse of additional western lands. Indeed, with the Treaty
of Guadelupe Hildalgo, signed on February 2, 1848, Mexico ceded Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming to the United States (Geyer). This treaty
expanded U.S. territory by one-third while decreasing Mexican territory by one-half and fueling discontent among some of Mexican descent that still smolders today (Geyer).
Polks reasoning in regard to the taking over of Texas was based on the expansionist premise under which he had run for office. As the Readers
Companion to American History (1991) reports: "Texas had been annexed before Polks inauguration. Wishing to
acquire California and New Mexico also, Polk seized on a skirmish between Mexican and U.S. troops as a pretext and in 1846 asked Congress to declare war".
His request was honored when the House of Representatives returned a vote of 174 to 14 and Senate
a vote of 40 to 2 in favor of war (Byrd, 1990). Polk took up the cause of a war with a vengeance. He placed all the blame
...