Mexican War

Causes of the Mexican War Manifest Destiny Texas Annexation by the United States Boundary dispute between Mexico and the U.S. over the boundary of Texas

Manifest Destiny Belief that God has said America has a right and duty to expand and stretch from the East Cost to the Pacific Coast US felt they had a mission to shares its ideas on democratic institutions

Reasons Behind Manifest Destiny Population Increase Economic depressions—1818 and 1839 Abundance of cheap (or free) land in West. Expansion offered opportunities for new commerce.

JOHN GAST‘S - "AMERICAN PROGRESS," (1872) Manifest Destiny...

Mexican American War It all starts with Texas. At first Mexicans encourage American settlement. Conflicts over slavery issues Americans who live there are rebellious bunch—start to clamor for independence.

Sam Houston ( ) Steven Austin ( ) Key Figures in Texas Independence 1836

The Battle of the Alamo General Antonio de Santa Ana recaptures the Alamo

Texas Declaration of Independence

The Republic of Texas

Victory in Texas Santa Anna forced to sign Treaty of Velasco—1836. Texas becomes independent. Americans wait ten years to annex Texas—because of issue of slavery and to avoid war with Mexico.

Texas Annexation March 1845 Congress approves Texas Annexation Texas becomes the 28 th state in December of Mexico reacts by cutting off all diplomatic ties with the U.S.

Boundary Dispute Texas and U.S. claim that the Rio Grande marks the southern border of Texas Mexican government rejects this idea and argues that the real southern border is the Nueces River

Nueces River boundaryRio Grande boundary

Polk’s War Strategy General Zachary Taylor invaded northern Mexico. General Stephen Kearny traveled west and captured Sante Fe, and supported revolt in California. General Winfield Scott invaded Mexico City.

Steps to War June President Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to take U.S. troops into disputed border region Polk claims this action is to protect Texas from possible Mexican attack

James K. Polk The “dark horse” candidate from Tennessee wins the election of 1844 with a platform supporting the goals of Manifest Destiny. Polk supported the Manifest Destiny and the expansion of the United States from “Sea to shining sea.”

Steps to War American Version March 1846 – General Taylor’s troops made camp at the Rio Grande in disputed territory Mexican forces crossed the Rio Grande and attacked group of 63 U.S. soldiers 11 Americans killed Mexican Version April 1846 – Mexican commander insisted U.S. troops must leave area and Taylor refused to move Then American army provoke Mexican Army into firing first

Steps to War May 11, 1846 – Polk addressed Congress He declared that “Mexico has shed American blood upon the American soil.” Two days later Congress declared war on Mexico

Support of the War For many Americans the war led to greater national pride Many people believed it would spread republican/American values Southerners want war because it will expand slavery

Opposition to the War Northerners oppose it because of slavery issue Some think the conflict was unjustified Illinois Congressman Abraham Lincoln wrote the “Spot Resolutions” in 1848– asking Polk to show the spot where American blood had been shed on American soil

The Bear Flag Revolt June 1846 War declared on Mexico Americans in California declared Independence from Mexico John C. Fremont Leads revolt against Mexico to gain the territory of California Leaders raise the bear flag in defiance of Mexico

The Bear Flag Republic John C. Frémont The Revolt  June 14, 1845

Battle of San Gabriel Near Los Angeles United States Victory U.S. Takes possession of California. What the U.S. had once offered $25 Million for, they now took by force.

Conquest of New Mexico Steven Kearny Takes New Mexico Took Santa Fe without bloodshed Brought American Rule to New Mexico

Battle of Monterey Zachary Tayolor Future U.S. President Monterey Very bloody battle

The Bombardment of Vera Cruz

General Scott Enters Mexico City US victory— September 1847

Conquest of Mexico City Mexico City Population Center The attack was to convince Mexico of their loss of the Northern Territories When Santa Anna loses, Polk offers him $1 Million to sign a peace treaty Santa Anna refuses The U.S. defeats Mexico City

Legacies of Mexican-American War “Small war”—not many lives lost Gained a ton of land (increased size of US by 1/3) Prepared military and soldiers for Civil War Led to Mexican resentment Aroused issue of slavery which would lead to Civil War

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) Forced on Santa Anna and Mexico Southern boundary of Texas set at the Rio Grande U.S. gained: Present-day states of California, Nevada, and Utah Most of Arizona and New Mexico Parts of Colorado and Wyoming U.S. agreed to pay $15 million to Mexico and pay debts of Mexico to U.S. citizens