The Final Chapter in Manifest Destiny Ch. 9 Sect. 3/4 Mexican – American War The Final Chapter in Manifest Destiny Ch. 9 Sect. 3/4

Texas and the Southwest Mexican Independence (1821) opened the door for settlers and traders to move into Mexican territories. Mission System Under this Spanish system, only a few thousand Mexican settlers in present-day Texas Spanish used Roman Catholic missions to convert Native Americans Mexico offers mission lands to government officials, ranchers

Impact of Mexican Independence Mexico Encourages trade between US and Northern provinces Native American groups threaten scattered Mexican settlements Mexico Invites U.S. Settlers To protect the territory, Mexico encourages US farmers to go to Texas Offers land grants to empresarios (agents) who sell land cheaply Until 1830’s, Anglo settlers live as naturalized Mexican citizens

Austin in Texas Stephan F. Austin, successful empresario, establishes colony in 1821 “Old 300” get 177 farming acres or 4,428 grazing acres! (That’s a lot…) US wants lands south to Rio Grande; Mexico refuses to sell Texas

Texas Fights for Independence “Come to Texas” Cultural differences arise between Anglos and Mexico: Anglos speak English, not Spanish Southerners bring slaves (outlawed in Mexico) 1830’s – Anglos greatly outnumber Tejanos Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna imprisons Austin Revokes local powers; rebellions erupt, including Texas Revolution

“Remember the Alamo!” Santa Anna marches army to Texas; Austin tells Texans to arm themselves Santa Anna storms Alamo (old mission); all 187 defenders were killed

Fall of the Alamo- Robert Jenkins 1903

Bowie became internationally famous as a result of a feud with Norris Wright, the sheriff of Rapides Parish. Bowie had supported Wright's opponent in the race for sheriff, and Wright, a bank director, had been instrumental in turning down a Bowie loan application.[27] After a confrontation in Alexandria one afternoon, Wright fired a shot at Bowie. After which Bowie resolved to carry his hunting knife at all times.[28] The knife he carried had a blade that was 9.25 inches (23.5 cm) long and 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) wide.[29] The following year, on September 19, 1827, Bowie and Wright attended a duel on a sandbar outside of Natchez, Mississippi. Bowie supported duellist Samuel Levi Wells III, while Wright supported Wells's opponent, Dr. Thomas Harris Maddox. The duellists each fired two shots and, as neither man had been injured, resolved their duel with a handshake.[30][31] Other members of the groups, who had various reasons for disliking each other, began fighting. Bowie was shot in the hip; after regaining his feet he drew a knife, described as a butcher knife, and charged his attacker, who hit Bowie over the head with his empty pistol, breaking the pistol and knocking Bowie to the ground. Wright shot at and missed the prone Bowie, who returned fire and possibly hit Wright. Wright then drew his sword cane and impaled Bowie. When Wright attempted to retrieve his blade by placing his foot on Bowie's chest and tugging, Bowie pulled him down and disemboweled Wright with his large knife.[32][33] Wright died instantly, and Bowie, with Wright's sword still protruding from his chest, was shot again and stabbed by another member of the group. The doctors who had been present for the duel retrieved the bullets and patched Bowie's other wounds.

The Lone Star Republic Texas Joins the Union Sam Houston defeats, captures Santa Anna at Battle of San Jacinto Treaty of Velasco grants independence to Texas (April 1836) Houston becomes President of the Republic of Texas Texas Joins the Union 1838, Houston invites US to annex, or incorporate, Texas South favors, North opposes annexation; Texas becomes state in 1845

The War with Mexico Tensions over the US annexation of Texas leads to war with Mexico, resulting in huge territorial gains for the US. Polk Urges War “Polk the Purposeful” Pres. James K. Polk favors war with Mexico Believes US will get Texas, New Mexico, California Slidell’s Rejections Polk sends John Slidell to buy SW, negotiate Texas borders Santa Anna ousted; Mexican govt. unstable, ignores Slidell Polk orders Gen. Zachary Taylor to blockade the Rio Grande

Sectional Attitudes Toward War South favors war to extend slavery, increase power in Congress (remember the Missouri Compromise of 1820??) North opposes, fears spread of slavery and southern control of US The War Begins Polk Provokes War US repeatedly violates Mexico’s territorial rights Mexican, US soldiers skirmish near Matamoros; 9 American killed Polk sends war message to Congress, withholds facts Congress approves war, stifles opposition

Republic of California Kearny Marches West Polk orders Col. Stephen Kearny to march to Santa Fe N. Mexico surrenders without a fight Republic of California 1830’s – 12,000 Mexican settlers in California; 1840’s, 500 Americans John C. Frémont proclaims Republic of California in 1846 Frémont joined by Kearny and Commodore John D. Sloat’s naval expedition

America Gains the Spoils of War Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo The War in Mexico US has many victories; Mexican troops have poor leaders Invasion of Mexico led by Gen. Zachary Taylor, Winfield Scott Polk helps Santa Anna regain power (what?), but fights US (duh!) America Gains the Spoils of War Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo US/Mexico sign treaty in 1848 Texas border set at Rio Grande Mexico ceded western lands for $15 million Guarantees rights of Mexicans living in territories War enlarges US territory by 1/3 Franklin Pierce authorizes 1853 Gadsden Purchase, sets final border

Taylor’s Election in 1848 Democrats split over slavery issue Whig’s nominee, war hero Zachary Taylor wins easily

Eureka!!! The California Gold Rush The Rush Begins 1848 – Gold found at Sutter’s mill in CA Sierra Nevadas San Francisco residents abandon city to pan for gold Gold rush, or migration of prospectors to California in 1849 49ers, gold prospectors, come from Asia, S. America, Europe Impact of Gold Fever San Francisco become supply center for miners; becomes major port Eureka: “I have found it!” Archimedes. State Motto

2. East Coast Newspaper clipping as a Settlers guide to California Dutch Flat Gold Mining Hydrolic Mining Sutter’s Mill

Gold Rush Brings Diversity 1849 – CA pop. Exceeds 100,000 Chinese, free blacks, Mexicans migrate in large numbers Slavery permitted until 1849 constitutional convention CA joins union in 1850