• Describe the roots of Manifest Destiny in the Jeffersonian and Jacksonian ideologies of American expansion.

• Discuss the settlement of Americans in northern Mexico, their increasing militance, and their revolution against Mexican control of Texas.

• Characterize the "Oregon fever" that encouraged American demands for the annexation of the Oregon Country.

• Describe James K. Polk’s election in 1844 and the resulting events that touched off the Mexican War.

• Discuss the major American military campaigns against Mexico, and describe the technological innovations that helped decide the war’s outcome.

• Show how the Mexican War, the Mexican cession, and the California gold rush reshaped the American political system, as reflected in the election of 1848.

• Describe the sequence of events and the conflicting interests that resulted in the Compromise of 1850.

1818 Anglo-American Convention establishes joint American and British occupation of Oregon Country.

1821 Mexico launches revolution and achieves independence from Spain.

1836 Texas Revolution and declaration of independence from Mexico.

The Alamo, Goliad massacre, and Battle of San Jacinto secure independence for Texas.

1837 President Jackson rejects Texas statehood but recognizes the republic of Texas.

1842 Webster-Ashburton Treaty establishes boundary with British Canada.

1844 James K. Polk defeats Henry Clay in presidential election.

1845 John L. Sullivan coins the term "Manifest Destiny."

Texas admitted into the Union.

Oregon annexed up to 49th parallel.

1846 Mexican War begins when Congress declares war on Mexico.

1848 Mexicans surrender and negotiate Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Mexican cession brings California and the American Southwest into the Union.

Zachary Taylor defeats Lewis Cass and Martin Van Buren in presidential election.

Gold is discovered in California.

1849 California gold rush begins.

1850 California applies for admission into the Union as a free state.

Henry Clay and Stephen Douglas devise the Compromise of 1850.