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Links of Interest:
(1841-1845) (1845-1849) Florida (27 of 50 States) Admitted 3 March 1845 Texas (28 of 50 States) Admitted 29 Dec 1845 “James K. Polk rides a wave of popular support to the White House then immediately delivers on his campaign promise. By his first days in office Texas is on its way to becoming the 28th state adding another 300,000 square miles to the nation. The move fulfills Andrew Jackson’s long held dream to make Texas a state, but Jackson doesn’t live to see it come true. Polk wants the entire continent. Mexico controls most of it including the biggest prize, California. Overflowing with natural resources California also has over 3,000 miles of coastline offering unparalleled access to Pacific trade something that every President since Jefferson has coveted. Polk is determined to take California but with Congress unwilling to start a new war he devises a secret plan. By March John Fremont and Kit Carson are on their way to California, part of President Polk’s covert scheme to extend U.S. borders all the way to the coast. Disguised as a surveying mission their real goal is to find American settlers and in sight them into rebelling against Mexico. By December Fremont and Carson arrive at Sutter’s fort, modern day Sacramento, the first American settlement in California. Mexico allows Americans to settle and work the land but not to legally own it, infuriating settlers. Fremont finds a populace that was deeply disenchanted with Mexican rule.” Population in California: 8,000 Mexicans, 1,000 Americans, 200 foreigners (German, British, and Swiss) |
