The Mexican American War

The Road to the Civil War Manifest Destiny The Texas Revolution The US-Mexico War, 1846-8 Gold Rush, Migration and Expansion Compromise of 1850 Uncle Tom’s Cabin, 1852 Kansas-Nebraska Act, 1854 Bleeding Kansas, 1854-6 Dredd Scott Decision, 1857 John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry 1860 Presidential Election

Thornton was outnumbered A company of U.S. Calvary commanded by Captain Seth Thornton got into a skirmish with Mexican forces near the Rio Grande. Thornton was ordered to scout an area about twenty miles northwest of what later became Brownsville, Texas. In April 1846, the Calvary, investigated an abandoned hacienda (Ranch). Some two thousand Mexican soldiers were encamped in and around the hacienda, and a firefight occurred. Both sides fought ferociously, but the greatly outnumbered U.S. force was forced to surrender after several hours of skirmishing. The Thornton Affair Thornton was outnumbered By about 1900 men.

Presidents Polk’s Response President Polk asked for a declaration of war before a joint session of the United States Congress, summing up the need for war by famously stating: "American blood has been shed on American soil". Congress declared war on Mexico, despite protests by the Mexican government that Thornton had crossed the border into Mexican Texas — a border that Mexico claimed as the Nueces River. the ensuing Mexican-American War was waged from 1846-1848 and witnessed the loss of many thousands of lives and nearly half of the territory of Mexico.

US Problems with Mexico 1) Americans had a negative view of Mexico because of the Texas Revolution. 2) Mexico owed the U.S. money for the Mexican Revolution against Spain Mexican Problems with US. Mexico felt that Texas was being stolen from them. 2) Mexico didn’t believe in Manifest Destiny and didn’t want to give away their land.

Treaty of Velasco is valid Belief in Manifest Destiny Vote Yes-Declare War Treaty of Velasco is valid Belief in Manifest Destiny Texas Annexation is legal Vote No-no War Will expand slavery Manifest Destiny is unfair to Mexico Treaty of Velasco is a sham and not valid Annexation is illegal without Mexico approval.

The War Begins After the annexation of Texas in 1844, it was only a matter of time before war between Texas and the United States would happen. The war began in June of 1845. President Polk sent general Zachary Taylor to Texas to protect the American border with Mexico.

General Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana

President James K. Polk

General Zachary Taylor

Border Dispute The U.S. and Mexico had a different opinion on where the border between Texas and Mexico was as you will see on the map that follows.

War of Aggression President Polk sent General Taylor to the area that the U.S. considered it’s border. Predictably, Taylor’s troops were attached by the Mexican army. Polk had what he wanted, a war with Mexico.

Polk’s message to Congress “...after reiterated menaces, Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have commenced, and that the two nations are now at war...I invoke the prompt action of Congress to recognize the existence of the war, and to place it at the disposal of the Executive the means of prosecuting the war with vigor...”

What did the U.S. want from war with Mexico? Land Remember manifest destiny? The U.S. wanted all the land west of Texas including California.

Political Opposition to War Many members of Congress opposed the war with Mexico. Some felt that the president had forced the U.S. into the war, which was wrong because only Congress can approve war. Others just thought it was wrong to take any territory from Mexico.

U.S. has huge technological advantage Artillery - superior large guns and better ammunition better rifles and handguns, including the colt revolver telegraph = better communications

U.S. has a huge population and economic advantage U.S. - 17 million people Mexico - 7 million people U.S. - growing economy Mexico - in debt

U.S. Soldiers Immigrants made up at least half of the enlisted men in the army 1/4 of the enlisted soldiers were Irish. The Mexicans made a strong appeal to these Catholics to switch sides arguing that they were more Catholic than American. 9,207 U.S. soldiers deserted during the war; 8.3%

Deaths during the war One out of ten American soldiers died in less than two years of service Disease accounted for 7/8 of the deaths. Crowded, unsanitary conditions and impure water led to dysentery, lice, and other diseases that spread rapidly. 12,518 American soldiers died during the war.

Map of Mexican War Battles

U.S. army goes all the way to Mexico City As you saw on the preceding map, the U.S army went all the way to Mexico City. Once this happened, Mexico had no choice but to surrender.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed ending the war.

The Mexican Cession

Mexican Cession Mexico had to give up a great deal of land at the conclusion of the war. This territory included all of the present-day states of California, Nevada, and Utah and also parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

Gadsden Purchase 1853 agreement to buy a strip of land in what is now the southern United States so that a railroad line could be built to the Gulf of California. It cost $10 million.

Territorial Expansion

Slavery One major problem faced the United States after the war with Mexico. Would slavery be allowed in the new territories? This would be a question that would have to be answered. As you may imagine, there would be a great deal of conflict over this issue.