USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The treaty was signed in 1846. Acquisition of California proved far more difficult. Polk sent an envoy to offer Mexico up to $20, 000, 000, plus settlement of damage claims owed to Americans, in return for California and the New Mexico country.

Detailed explanation-2: -President Polk had a short list of “great measures” he intended to accomplish. Among them was the acquisition of Mexican California. Gold had not been discovered there yet, but Polk wanted California and its magnificent San Francisco Bay as the American gateway to trade with China and other Asian nations.

Detailed explanation-3: -In spite of this, the diplomat continued to negotiate with Mexico, and on February 2, 1848, he signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which authorized U.S. payment of $15 million for California and New Mexico, and named the Rio Grande as the Texas border.

Detailed explanation-4: -Polk wanted to lay claim to California, New Mexico, and land near the disputed southern border of Texas. Mexico, however, was not so eager to let go of these territories. Polk started out by trying to buy the land. He sent an American diplomat, John Slidell, to Mexico City to offer $30 million for it.

Detailed explanation-5: -Polk instructed Slidell to make an offer that the U.S. would pay off Mexico’s debt in order to acquire “Upper California and New Mexico” and would spend as much as $40 million to purchase the land.