How did president Polk fulfill his dream of Manifest Destiny?

Answer 1

Manifest destiny: First used by the journalist John O'Sullivan in 1845 to refer to the belief that it was America's "divine right", or "right given by God" to possess the entire continent.

President Polk contributed to America's drive for Manifest Destiny using a few different methods. One method was the Oregon treaty of 1846. Originally, Polk only wanted land up to the 49th parallel but knew Britain would not be so easy in negotiating. So, he set up a plot so he can achieve his goal with little conflict. Polk revealed to Britain that he wanted land up to the latitude line 54o40". Britain was not looking for war nor looking to give up all its land in the west so they decided to make a compromise. While Great Britain thought they were being sly by negotiating, they agreed to divide their land, giving America the 49th parallel via the Oregon treaty, which is what Polk wanted in the first place.

Another way Polk pushed toward manifest destiny was with another treaty but not by clever manipulation or negotiation, but by war. As a result of the Mexican war, the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo arose. This was sparked by the dispute of the Texas border, whether it was the Nueces river or the more southern Rio Grande. The war ended with the capture of Mexico City under Winfield Scott in 1847. Finally, the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo was signed resulting in the Mexican cession of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Nevada, Colorado and Utah in exchange for $15 million.

Polk was not content with the amount of land ceded in the last few years. To accommodate the gold rush, transportation was key. Americans were in search for the fastest and easiest route to Southern California. When America discovered a route south of Arizona, it became necessary to acquire such land to build a railroad track. When Polk confronted Mexico about wanting more land, Mexico was still softened by their loss of the Mexican war. They agreed to cede modern southern Arizona to America for only 12 million dollars which completed America, in exception to Hawaii and Alaska, under Polks administration which was called the Gadson Purchase.

Polk proved to be intelligent in plotting to acquire the rest of America by his various methods of winning land and fulfilling Manifest Destiny.

Answer 2

Manifest destiny: First used by the journalist John O'Sullivan in 1845 to refer to the belief that it was America's "divine right", or "right given by God" to possess the entire continent.

President Polk contributed to America's drive for Manifest Destiny using a few different methods. One method was the Oregon treaty of 1846. Originally, Polk only wanted land up to the 49th parallel but knew Britain would not be so easy in negotiating. So, he set up a plot so he can achieve his goal with little conflict. Polk revealed to Britain that he wanted land up to the latitude line 54o40". Britain was not looking for war nor looking to give up all its land in the west so they decided to make a compromise. While Great Britain thought they were being sly by negotiating, they agreed to divide their land, giving America the 49th parallel via the Oregon treaty, which is what Polk wanted in the first place.

Another way Polk pushed toward manifest destiny was with another treaty but not by clever manipulation or negotiation, but by war. As a result of the Mexican war, the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo arose. This was sparked by the dispute of the Texas border, whether it was the Nueces river or the more southern Rio Grande. The war ended with the capture of Mexico City under Winfield Scott in 1847. Finally, the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo was signed resulting in the Mexican cession of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Nevada, Colorado and Utah in exchange for $15 million.

Polk was not content with the amount of land ceded in the last few years. To accommodate the gold rush, transportation was key. Americans were in search for the fastest and easiest route to Southern California. When America discovered a route south of Arizona, it became necessary to acquire such land to build a railroad track. When Polk confronted Mexico about wanting more land, Mexico was still softened by their loss of the Mexican war. They agreed to cede modern southern Arizona to America for only 12 million dollars which completed America, in exception to Hawaii and Alaska, under Polks administration which was called the Gadson Purchase.

Polk proved to be intelligent in plotting to acquire the rest of America by his various methods of winning land and fulfilling Manifest Destiny.