Polk’s Expansionist Policy - How the Usa Borders Changed During His Presidency

Polk’s expansionist policy. How the USA borders changed during his presidency.

                         11.5  Jennifer He

James K. Polk was one of the most important president (from 1845-1849)in USA history, since he had Promoted the policies of Manifest Destiny, including negotiating possession of the Oregon Territory from the British and buying California and New Mexico from Mexico after the Mexican-American War.

After president John Tyler pushed annexation of Texas through Congress in final days of his presidency, Polk compromised with Great Britain. Americans wanted to set its borders at the southern tip of Alaska. The British refused to relinquish their hold on British North America and a compromise was reached (Oregon Treaty), extending the border between the United States and what would soon become Canada to the 49th parallel, excluding the southern tip of Vancouver Island. However, at the same time, there was a war between America and Mexico(Mexican-American War), because Mexico government refused that Polk offered to buy California for $20 million. By 1848, Mexico was defeated and was forced to sign Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Also, Mexico agreed to sell territory that included California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and parts of Colorado and Wyoming for $15 million plus reparations.