How did President James K. Polk achieve Manifest Destiny between 1845-1849?

Question

Sophia Aguiar · Accepted Answer

He waged war on Mexico and annexed one third of its territory.

Further information is available at this link: What Does Manifest Destiny Mean?

Zoe Anderson · Answer

undefined President James K. Polk achieved Manifest Destiny between 1845-1849 through several key actions:

1. **Oregon Territory**: Polk campaigned on the slogan "Fifty-four Forty or Fight!" referring to the latitude line to which he wanted U.S. territory to extend in the Oregon Territory dispute with Britain. In 1846, the Oregon Treaty was negotiated, extending the U.S. border to the 49th parallel, thus acquiring what is now Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

2. **Annexation of Texas**: Polk oversaw the annexation of Texas in 1845. Texas had declared independence from Mexico in 1836 but had not been annexed immediately due to issues surrounding slavery and the potential for conflict with Mexico. Polk's annexation of Texas contributed to the fulfillment of Manifest Destiny by adding a vast territory to the United States.

3. **Mexican-American War**: Polk's desire to acquire California and New Mexico led to the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). The pretext for war was a dispute over the Texas border, but Polk's broader aim was territorial expansion. The U.S. victory in the war and the subsequent Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 resulted in Mexico ceding California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and part of Texas to the U.S.

4. **Acquisition of California**: The acquisition of California was particularly significant for fulfilling Manifest Destiny, as it provided the United States with a major Pacific port and opened up new economic opportunities.

Through these actions, Polk significantly expanded U.S. territory, achieving the Manifest Destiny goal of expansion from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.