The Mexican-American War

Manifest Destiny The belief that the U.S. was meant to spread west from Ocean to Ocean to spread Democracy and Justice to North America. With the Annexation of Texas in 1845, the U.S. spread over 2/3rds of the land. Annexing Texas greatly upset Mexico who still thought the territory belonged to them.

The Offer In 1846 the United States offered Mexico 30 million dollars for their Northern territory. Not only did Mexico say ‘No’ but they were highly offended by the offer.

The Dispute over Texas' border The U.S. claimed the border was the Rio Grande River. Mexico claimed the border was the Nueces River.

The War begins President James K. Polk sent General Zachary Taylor and troops into the disputed territory to claim the area for the United States. Once there, Mexican troops fired on the U.S. soldiers killing 11.

President Polk Declares War! “... American Blood has been shed on American Soil!” Polk used the altercation as a reason to declare war on Mexico on May 13, Not all of Congress agreed with the aggressiveness of the U.S. military. Two men who voted no for the war were Representatives -one a young man from Illinois named Abraham Lincoln. The other a former President-John Quincy Adams.

The Bear Flag Revolt In April, 1846 the United States paid John C. Fremont to invade California and start a revolution. The Revolution is known as the Bear Flag Revolt. Today California honors the revolt with the Bear symbol on their state flag.

The Three Generals Stephen KearnyZachary Taylor Winfield Scott The U.S. will fight what is known as a 3-front war. They will attack the Mexicans in California, Texas, and Southern Mexico.

Stephen Kearny Kearney started at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas and made his way into Mexico by following the historic Santa Fe Trail. He reached the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico in Aug and took control of the city without bloodshed. He then headed west to take over California.

Stephen Kearny Kearny reached California in Dec. of He meets up with Navy commander Robert Stockton and later John Fremont. He fought the Mexicans at San Pasqual, San Gabriel, La Mesa and finally won California by taking Los Angeles.

Zachary Taylor Taylor began the war with a successful victory over the Mexicans at the Battle of Palo Alto on May 8, The Americans killed over 100 Mexicans while only losing 5.

Zachary Taylor The next day (May 9, 1846) Taylor once again had an important victory when he killed over 130 Mexicans at the Battle of Resaca de la Palma.

Zachary Taylor Sept – The Battle of Monterrey – An extremely bloody battle, that was literally fought from house to house. Over 500 men died from each side. The battle ended with a truce.

Zachary Taylor and an Old Friend Santa Anna was actually put back into power by the U.S. Living in Cuba, he told the U.S. if they help him get back to Mexico he will sell California to them. He lied. Once in Mexico he told the Mexicans he did not want to be president – just head of the army. They let him have the army and... He lied again!

Zachary Taylor vs. Santa Anna The Battle of Buena Vista – Feb : The Mexicans had close to 16,000 troops compared to 4,500 for the U.S. However, Taylor and a young commander named Jefferson Davis won a stunning victory killing over 500 Mexicans and wounding another 1000.

Zachary Taylor and his legacy Taylor will use the amazing victory at Buena Vista over Santa Anna, when he runs for U.S. President in 1848.

Jefferson Davis Young commander whose heroics at Buena Vista immediately catapult him into stardom. Davis wins another battle of the War by using nothing but Bowie knifes against the enemy.

Ulysses S. Grant Lt. Commander who fought with Zachary Taylor at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and Monterrey. He later fought with Winfield Scott at Veracruz. At Monterrey he carried an injured friend back to camp by crossing a Mexican street lined with snipers.

Winfield Scott Scott deployed from New Orleans and with 12,000 troops attacks Veracruz then begins marching west to attack Mexico City.

Siege of Veracruz In March 1847, Scott begins attacking and laying siege to the port city of Veracruz. Without the port Mexico City is now cut off from supplies. The siege takes 12 days and the U.S. wins by killing over 180 Mexicans while only losing 18.

Siege of Veracruz - Commanders U.S. Navy Commander Matthew C. Perry. His ships provide the cannons to bombard the city. Robert E. Lee - Trusted commander of Scott who will quickly become one of the brightest military minds in the Army. Thomas J. Jackson - Young engineer of the Army. His realization of how to place the cannons leads to victory.

Scott marches to Mexico City April On the way to Mexico City, Santa Anna with 9,000 – 10,000 troops was encamped along the main road. Robert E. Lee found a way to attack the Mexicans from the back. Santa Anna never saw the Americans go around him. The battle turned into a bloody route with 1,000 Mexicans killed, another 3,000 captured, and over 5,000 weapons lost.

Santa Anna and his fake leg Santa Anna had lost his leg in a previous war and had been fitted for an artificial leg. The Battle of Cerro Gordo turned into a rout so quickly that he lost his fake leg. The artificial leg was later found by a group of soldiers from Illinois. To this day, 150+ years later, the leg is on display in an Illinois War Museum

Scott continues his march To continue towards Mexico City, Scott would have to take Chapultepec Castle. The Castle sits 200 feet high...and would be a major task to defeat.

Battle of Chapultepec Castle Sept – Scott and 13,000 troops attack the Castle, defended by 4,000 Mexicans. It takes 2 days but the Mexicans are defeated. About 862 Americans are killed or injured, while 2,600 Mexicans are killed or injured.

Battle of Chapultepec Castle Los Ninos Heroes – Six young Mexicans refuse to surrender and fight to the death. The last one wrapping the Mexican Flag around him and jumping off the mountain to his death. Today a huge memorial sits near the castle honoring the six Mexican heroes.

Belen Gate to enter Mexico City After the fall of the castle the troops attacked the main gate to enter Mexico City. Robert E. Lee was in the main fighting and Ulysses S. Grant climbed a tall tower in the area and fired upon the enemy.

Scott enters Mexico City Santa Anna puts up one final resistance, but once again the Americans are too much. From Sept. 8 – 15 th the battle wages on. Over 4,500 Mexicans are killed. Scott then parades through the streets as the conqueror of Mexico City. Only one other man in history can claim this – Hernan Cortes.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Mexico gives up their claims to their Northern lands. For 15 million dollars Mexico cedes California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Colorado.

Results of the Mexican-American War Fulfilled their dream of Manifest Destiny. The U.S. now spread from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. About 13,000 U.S. troops died, but only 1,700 in combat. 11,300 died from the deadly yellow fever disease. Of all the new states only California is a free state. The issue of slavery continues to divide the U.S. until the only answer is another war. United States:

Results of the Mexican-American War Lost about 500,000 square miles of land, almost 40% of it’s country. Close to 25,000 Mexicans killed or wounded. To this day the war is known as “The War of American Aggression” in Mexico. Mexico:

What happened to......Zachary Taylor: Taylor served 40 years in the military fighting in the War of 1812, the Indian Wars, and, of course, the Mexican-American War. His major victory at Buena Vista over Santa Anna makes him a national hero. Taylor runs for U.S. President in 1848 and wins. He unfortunately dies in office in 1850.

What happened to......Stephen Kearny: The hero who freed California is made governor of Veracruz and later Mexico City. Unfortunately, while in Mexico he catches Malaria and dies in Many cities, schools, and streets in Kansas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California are named for him.

What happened to......Winfield Scott: “Old Fuss and Feathers” served over 50 years in the military a span of 14 U.S. Presidents. He served during the War of 1812, the Indian Wars, the Mexican-American War, and the U.S. Civil War. Ran for President in 1852 but lost because he was against slavery. In 1855 was given a special promotion by Congress making him Lt. General. Only one other person in U.S. History had held that title – George Washington.