Digital History
Digital History: War With Mexico [Pdf]
Read about the reasons President James Polk presented to Congress as justification for a declaration of war against Mexico. Find Polk's war message and the rebuttal by Congressman Davis.
Charles I. Kelly and Lawrence E. Kelly
Many things.org: In 1845, Republic of Texas Faces a Choice
An explanation of the difficulties the Republic of Texas encountered when deciding whether to join the Union. Also discusses President James Polk's efforts to expand the territories held by the United States, which brought him into...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: "American Blood on American Soil"
President James Polk's desire was for the United States to stretch from sea to shining sea. See what happened when his overatures to Mexico to buy the land north of the Rio Grande River were spurned. Take a brief vote to see if Polk was...
American Presidency Project
American Presidency Project: Election of 1844
Online resource that provides detailed data for the presidential election of 1844 won by Democratic candidate, James K. Polk.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: 54 40 or Fight
See how James Polk's plan to claim the Oregon Territory, which had been shared with Great Britain since 1818, led him to victory with the slogan, Fifty-four forty or fight. Read about the settlers who traveled the Oregon Trail and why...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Hard Road to Texas 1836 1845: The Final Showdown the Crisis
The opposition against Texas' annexation was strong, and supporters faced challenges between Polk's election and inauguration. What lead up to the passing of the Texas annexation? Check out primary texts to explore this time in Texas'...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: American Presidency: James K. Polk
Brief biographical sketch of America's eleventh president includes background information on the era in which he served and linked-to objects from the Smithsonian's collections that help define the man and his presidency.
270 To Win
270towin: 1844 Presidential Election
Provides detailed electoral facts for the presidential election of 1844 won by James K. Polk who ran on a platform that embraced American territorial expansionism. It was also the last presidential election to be held on different days...
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso, proposed by David Wilmot, was an amendment to the James Polk appropriations bill to gain funding for the settlement of the Mexican-American War. It stated that slavery should be banned in the territories acquired from...
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: James Knox Polk
(1795-1849) US President 1845-1849
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: James Knox Polk
(1795-1849) Eleventh president of the United States.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: James Knox Polk
(1795-1849) Eleventh president of the United States 1845-1849
Lone Star Junction
Lone Star Junction: Archives of the West: Resolution Annexing Texas to the u.s.
Read the U.S. Congressional resolution approving the annexation of the Republic of Texas to the United States. Links are provided to additional sites.
Other
Georgia's Blue and Gray Trail Presents: Election of 1848
An extensive look at the election of 1848 including information about the conventions, the parties which elected candidates, the platforms, and the outcome. From the Civil War Encyclopedia.
Other
Dmwv: The u.s. Mexican War: 1846 1848
Dedicated to the memory of U.S. veterans who fought in the U.S.-Mexican War, this website provides documents, images, maps, and FAQs.
Son of the South
Son of the South: Confederate Generals
Presents biographies and resources for a large group of Confederate generals.
OpenStax
Open Stax: The Mexican American War, 1846 1848
After reading this section of a chapter on "Westward Expansion," students will be able to identify the causes of the Mexican-American War and describe the outcomes of the war in 1848 and the effect of the California Gold Rush on westward...
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: History by Era: The Age of Jackson
[Free Registration/Login Required] Read about the growth of the United States in population, economy, territory during the Age of Jackson. Named after the dynamic president, Andrew Jackson, the age encompassed much more than Jackson's...
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: The Mexican War and After
This site from the U.S. Army's Center of Military History offers a detailed account of the Mexican War and its important battles as well as a description of what occurred after the war.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Mexican American War
The Mexican-American War fulfilled James Polk's desire to acquire the territory of New Mexico and California from Mexico. See how the fight was provoked, and read about Stephen Kearny's actions in New Mexico and John Fremont's in...
Library of Congress
Loc: "I Do Solemnly Swear"
An online exhibit of historically pertinent items dealing with the inauguration of a number of US Presidents.
Digital History
Digital History: The Mexican War
Read about the attempt by the United States to purchase land in the Southwest prior to the declaration of war between the two countries. Find out the causes of the war, and see that there was considerable opposition to the war in the...
Digital History
Digital History: Peace
Read about the peace treaty that ended the Mexican War. See that there were some who wanted to annex the whole of Mexico and were disappointed with the terms of the treaty.
Digital History
Digital History: The Political Crisis of the 1840s
Read about the attempt to keep slavery out of the newly acquired Mexican Cession, and so how this attempt revealed an increased split between North and South.