Mexican-American War

Polk Urges War Hostilities between the US and Mexico flared during the Texas Revolution (1836) reignited in 1845 POTUS – Polk annexed Texas in 1844 Mexico never recognized Texas Independence Polk believed that war with Mexico would bring NM, CA and other territories into the Union Border disputes Texas – Rio Grade Mexico – Nueces

Slidell’s Rejection Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico Spanish Speaking advisor Purchase CA and NM Rio Grande as border Mexican Officials refuse to meet with Slidell Insulted, Polk gave orders for General Zachary Taylor to march to the Rio Grande Forces in Mexican Territory Mexico attacked, Killing 9 American troops

Expansion Polk promises to annex Texas and Oregon in NW and to buy CA “Manifest Destiny” Thousands migrate to Oregon Country on the Oregon Trail 1845- US annexes Texas and adopts it as a state 1846- Oregon Treaty signed in 1846 with Britain Splits land at 49th parallel

War Begins Polk sent war message to Congress War declared - 1846-1848 “American blood on American soil” War declared - 1846-1848 First war fought mostly on foreign soil in Mexico Mexican Army unprepared US army had technical advantage Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee Immigrants made up half of US force

Republic of CA John C. Fremont seized town of Sonoma in 1846 Declared Independence and created the Republic of CA US controlled CA after Fremont joins forces with military

Effects of War Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo 1. Mexico recognized US annexation of TX 2. Gave up 500,000 square miles of territory (CA, AZ, NM, UT, NV, CO, WY) for $15 mil Rio Grande River = border between Mexico and TX Increase size of the US by 25%

Gadsden Purchase 1853 US paid $10 million for the southern parts of Arizona and New Mexico to build a railroad Completed the map we know of US