VOA慢速英语:Polk Succeeded by 'Old Zach' in 1848 Election

短语讲解：

1. Mexico agreed to give California and New Mexico to the United States.

agree to 同意， 赞成
例句：I agree to go with him.
我同意和他一起去。

2. Thus, President James K. Polk had succeeded in expanding the United States.

succeed in 在…（如某行业）中获得成功
例句：Succeed in spite of management.
顶着管理，实现成功。

3. “As soon as it became clear in the American consciousness  that Polk’ s aim in the Mexican War was to gain Southwestern territory—California and what’s now the American Southwest—then the slavery question becomes very, very salient in a powerful way that it had been kept under wraps for 20, 25 years.”

as soon as 一…就…; 一经
例句：We hope to join you as soon as possible.
我们将尽快参加你。

4. In 1846, Polk was able to establish the independent Treasury again, where the government could keep its own funds.

be able to 能，会; 能够; 克
例句：How soon will china be able to clean up its air?
中国能在多短时间内将空气变清洁？

5. They got this name from their opponents, who claimed they were willing to burn down the entire barn to remove pro-slavery rats.

be willing to 乐于; 甘于
例句：People may even be willing to die for their pets.
甚至有人愿意为宠物献出自己的生命。

6. And this, said the southern declaration, would lead to bitter hostility and war between North and South. 

lead to 把…带到; 领到; （道路）通向; 导致
例句：A little exaggeration can lead to serious consequences.
一丝一毫的夸大都可能导致严重的后果。