WAR WITH MEXICO!! OLE!!!

ANNEXING TEXAS American settlements During the 1820’s Mexico began welcoming American settlers Newcomers quickly outnumbered Mexicans Mexican gov’t became alarmed and forbade further immigration Illegal Americans still flooded into the area Santa Anna takes control of Mexico and dissolves the Congress Texans rise in rebellion Independence from Mexico Davy Crockett and the Alamo Sam Houston “Remember the Alamo!” The move for annexation The U.S. did not immediately respond to Texas’ request for statehood Secret negotiations! Election of 1844 Texas becomes a slave state, December 29, 1845

THE MEXICAN WAR The Outbreak of War Mexican ambassador breaks off relations to protest the annexation of Texas President Polk orders General Zachary Taylor to the Rio Grande in Texas Polk wanted to goad the Mexicans into conflict to secure Texas and obtain California and New Mexico “We were sent to provoke a fight, but it was essential that Mexico commence it” Preparing for battle Both the U.S. and Mexico were ill prepared Americans had 7,000 forces compared to Mexico’s 32,000 War! May 9, Polk asked Congress to declare war on Mexico of the basis of: Unpaid claims The rejection of the California purchase Mexican troops attacked American troops that night and war was declared

GENERALS OF THE MEXICAN AMERICAN WAR GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT SUCCEEDED IN BATTLING HIS WAY UP TO MEXICO CITY BY SEPTEMBER 1847; WILL BE AN IMPORTANT GENERAL OF THE CIVIL WAR General Zachary Taylor won many victories including a great victory over a large Mexican force at Buena Vista ; future President General Stephen W. Kearny led 1,700 troops to Santa Fe

THE BATTLES Santa Anna Returns! Dupes President Polk into rescuing him from exile in Cuba He returns to become President of Mexico and leads Mexican troops into battle against Taylor at Buena Vista Santa Anna’s large army meets Taylor’s untested volunteers Taylor is outnumbered Santa Anna invites Taylor to surrender Taylor: “Tell him to go to hell!” Neither side can claim victory at Buena Vista General Winfield Scott captures Mexico City on September 3, 1847 Mexico surrenders

THE TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO Mexico gives up all claims to Texas above the Rio Grande and ceded California and New Mexico to the United States U.S. agreed to pay Mexico $15 million and assume the claims of American citizens against Mexico Treaty was ratified by the Senate on March 10, 1848

IMPACT OF THE WAR The deadliest war in American history U.S. acquired more than 500,000 square miles of territory Important “firsts” First successful American offensive war First major amphibious operation First war covered by press correspondents First significant combat for a group of junior officers who will serve as generals in the Civil War: Robert E. Lee Ulysses S. Grant Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson George B. McClellan George Pickett George Meade Provoked a surge of national pride

WILMOT PROVISO Three months into the Mexican war, Democrat David Wilmot stood before Congress and proposed that in lands acquired from Mexico, “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory.” House adopted the “Wilmot Proviso” but the Senate rejected it Wilmot’s idea kept being revived Lincoln would later recall he had voted for it “as good as 40 times” John C. Calhoun would counter with The Calhoun resolutions The territories were possession of the states Congress could not prevent citizens from taking slaves To do so would violate the 5 th amendment Forbade Congress to deprive anyone of life, liberty, or property without due process of law