10-3 The Mexican – American War p.316-325 HSS 8.8.6 – Describe the Texas War for Independence & The Mexican-American War, including territorial settlements, the after math of the wars, & the effects the wars had on the lives of Americans, including Mexican-Americans

10-3 The Mexican-American War Manifest Destiny Manifest Destiny, or obvious fate, to settle land all the way to the Pacific Ocean in order to spread democracy. In the 1840’s & 1850’s, manifest destiny was tied up in the slavery issue. If America expanded, would slavery be allowed in the new territories? The Democratic Party chose former Tennessee governor James K. Polk to oppose Clay. Both candidates strongly favored acquiring Texas & Oregon. President Polk set out to fulfill his campaign promise to annex Oregon & Texas. Neither side wanted war, So in 1846 Great Britain & the U.S. signed a treaty that gave the U.S. all Oregon land south of the 49th parallel. Texas came next. By March 1845, congress had approved annexation & needed only the support of the Republic of Texas. Texas became part of the U.S. in December. This action angered the Mexican government which considered Texas to be a “stolen province”. Because the distance between California & the center of Mexico’s government, by the early 1820’s California had only around 3,200 colonists. These colonists, called Californios, felt little connection to their faraway government.

Picture on pg. 317 in textbook Manifest Destiny Mississippi River in background as settlers push westward. The woman (angel) represents America, moving west & bringing sunlight, settlers, & telegraph wire to the new lands. Picture on pg. 317 in textbook Native Americans & buffalo are pushed away the approaching settlers

The Mexican-American War Diplomatic relations between Mexico & the U.S. became increasingly strained. U.S. involvement in California & Texas contributed to this tension. In June 1845 President Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to lead an army into the disputed region (Rio Grande & Nueces River) Polk sent diplomat John Slidell to try to settle the border dispute. Slidell came & offered to buy New Mexico & California for $30 million. Mexican officials refused to speak to him. In April, the Mexican commander told Taylor to withdraw from Mexican territory. Taylor refused. The two sides clashed, & several U.S. soldiers were killed. The U.S. government put out a call for 50,000 volunteers. About 200,000 responded. In what became known as the Bear Flag Revolt, the Americans declared California to be an independent nation. Above the town, the rebels hastily made a flag of a grizzly bear facing a red star. Finally, on September 14, 1847, Mexico City fell. Santa Anna soon fled the country.

Bear Flag Revolt California Flag today. Flag flown by the rebels during the Bear Flag Revolt. The Californios made fun of it saying that it “looked more like a pig than a bear”.

American Settlement in the Mexican Session 10-3 The Mexican-American War American Settlement in the Mexican Session In February 1848, the U.S. & Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which officially ended the war & forced Mexico to turn over much of its northern territory to the U.S. Known as the Mexican Cession, this land included the present-day states of California , Nevada, & Utah. In addition, it included most of Arizona & New Mexico & parts of Colorado & Wyoming. The Mexican Cession totaled more than 500,000 square miles & increased the size of the U.S. by almost 25 percent. Under the terms of the Gadsden Purchase, the U.S. government paid Mexico $10 million. In exchange, the U.S. received the southern parts of what are now Arizona & New Mexico. After the Mexican –American War, a flood of Americans moved to the Southwest. American newcomers struggled against longtime residents to control the land & other valuable resources, such as water & minerals.

10-3 The Mexican-American War

Picture on pg. 324 in textbook 10-3 The Mexican-American War Picture on pg. 324 in textbook

Applying your new knowledge: 10-3 The Mexican-American War Applying your new knowledge: Using the information we just discussed about The Mexican-American War, answer the following questions in complete, thoughtful sentences on a separate sheet of paper. What was the idea of Manifest Destiny? Do you think Manifest Destiny played a part in the Mexican American War? Explain your answer. Look at the map on page 324 in your textbook. Where do a great deal of Mexican Americans live today?