The Mexican American War (April 25 th, 1846 – February 2 nd, 1848)
Polk Urges War “Polk the Purposeful” favors war with MX Believes US will get TX, NM and CA Sends John Slidell to discuss CA and NM purchase MX refuses to let him in; Polk sends Zachary Taylor to blockade Rio Grande River MX see this as violation of their rights
Slavery Dominates Debate South wants war to extend slavery and inc. power in Congress Norths opposes war, fears spread of slavery and Southern control of Congress Wilmot Proviso: bans slavery in land gained from MX; fails 3 times by South led Senate Shows tensions between N and S
David Wilmot
Polk Provokes War Repeated violations by USA forces MX to take action In response to John Fremont exploring CA, MX sends troops across Rio Grande and killed 9 US soldiers Lincoln questions Polk's response with “Spot Resolution”, questioning events Polk sends war message to Congress and is approved in the House and 40-2 in Senate
John C. Fremont
The War Begins! Stephen Kearny marches to NM; no resistance bc NM ppl want to be with USA Fremont takes Sonoma in 1846 and creates the Republic of California Meets with Kearny and defeats MX troops US dominates MX due to poor MX leaders Robert E. Lee, Ulysses E. Grant, Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott lead USA Polk reinstates Santa Anna in MX; betrays Polk and continues war
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo US and MX sign Treaty of G.H. In 1848 TX border set at Rio Grande MX cedes W. lands for $15 million MX guaranteed rights in territories War enlarges USA by 1/3 Gadsden Purchase finalizes border in lower 48 states Taylor wins election of 1948 after Polk
The Gadsden Purchase
Spoils of War for USA Gold discovered in CA Gold rush: migration of prospectors to CA in 1849 Forty-Niners: ppl from Asia, S. America and Europe come to US for gold San Francisco is supply center and major port Gold rush brings diversity to USA CA bans slavery; tensions grow in USA
Wilmot Proviso “Provided, That, as an express and fundamental condition to the acquisition of any territory from the Republic of Mexico by the United States, by virtue of any treaty which may be negotiated between them, and to the use by the Executive of the moneys herein appropriated, neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory, except for crime, whereof the party shall first be duly convicted.” – The Wilmot Proviso, 1846
Compromise of 1850 CA is free state UT and NM choose whether or not slavery is allowed (popular sovereignty) TX relinquishes NM and get $10 million to pay back MX Slave sales is banned in DC, but not slavery it self Fugitive Slave Act is enforced; Free states must help capture and return escaped slaves