War with Mexico Section 3 Chapter 12

The New Mexico Territory The vast area between Texas and California (Present day: NM., AZ., NV., and UT.) Mexico had little control over distant territories. Mexico welcomed Americans into their territory in hopes of helping the economy

Mexican government welcomed Americans into New Mexico to help with mining gold True False

The Santa Fe Trail William Becknell becomes the first American trader to reach Santa Fe in 1821 His route becomes know as Santa Fe Trail Trail is mainly flat and makes wagon travel easier Santa Fe becomes major trade center Manifest Destiny—many saw New Mexico as a territory worth acquiring

The belief that Americans had a right to New Mexico was called Mexican War Destiny Manifest Destiny [Default] [MC Any] [MC All]

California’s Spanish Culture Missionaries were the first Spanish to settle in California American: Jedediah Smith visits modern-day Los Angeles in 1820

What were missionaries trying to spread RELIGION

California after 1821 California becomes a state in the new country of Mexico in 1821 Mexican settlers built huge properties called ranchos Rancheros treated their Native Americans like Southern Plantation owners treated slaves

Manifest Destiny and California At first Mexicans welcomed Americans By 1845 the American population was only 700 Army officer John C. Fremont wrote about the beauty of California Americans begin talking about adding California to the nation Shipping ports would help with trade with Japan and China President Polk offered to buy New Mexico and California but Mexico refused to sell it

The USA saw California for its valuable gold in 1845 True False

War with Mexico Polk wanted California—clear passage to the Pacific Ocean Polk believed in Manifest Destiny Polk wanted to provoke Mexico into a war This was he could justify the war to the American people. Dispute grows with Texan border and Mexico USA insisted that the Rio Grande was the border Mexico insisted it was the Nueces River (150 miles north)

What was the river that the USA claimed as the southern border of the USA? RIO GRANDE

Conflict Begins Mexican government announced its intention to reclaim Texas Polk ordered Gen. Zachary Taylor to march his soldiers south towards the Rio Grande River On April 24, Mexican soldiers attacked a small force of Taylor’s soldiers On May 11, 1846 Congress declared War on Mexico

Who really started the Mexican War? Mexico USA None of the Above [Default] [MC Any] [MC All]

Gen. Zachary Taylor

American Attitudes Toward the War Americans divided over the war Polk’s party the Democrats supported the war Whigs opposed the war—”aggressive and unjust war”—”would spread slavery” Abraham Lincoln demanded to see the exact spot where the first attack occurred Fredrick Douglas feared it would spread slavery Newspapers generally favored the war Volunteers sign up in large numbers to fight.

Polk’s War Plan 3-Part Plan to divide up Mexican forces Drive Mexicans out of disputed Texas border area Seize New Mexico and California American forces would take Mexico City—capital of Mexico

Americans defeat Mexicans at Buena Vista, Texas border secured General Stephen Kearny led his troops into New Mexico and California Kearny captures the capital of New Mexico Territory Santa Fe

California and the Bear Flag Republic June 1846 small group of Americans seize Sonoma, California and proclaimed the independent Republic of California Bear Flag Republic Californios (Mexican Californians) were outraged that Americans were trying to seize their land.

Naval Intervention U.S. Navy under the command of Commodore John Sloat captured San Francisco Sloat declared California part of America Sloat, Fremont, and Kit Carson help capture San Diego and moved north to L.A. By 1847 California was fully controlled by the United States

The Capture of Mexico City General Winfield Scott’s army landed on the Gulf on New Mexico near the port city of Veracruz. Americans fight their way to Mexico City August 1847 Mexican government surrendered U.S.A lost 1,172 men to battles 11,000 to disease Mexico lost half its territory

The Peace Treaty Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Mexico gave up all claims to Texas Rio Grande becomes the southern border Mexican Cession—Mexico ceded California and New Mexico to the USA U.S. gave Mexico 15 Million In 1853 USA gave an additional 10 million for the Gadsden Purchase

DiBo’s Useless Fact Owen Thomas Edgar (June 17, 1831 – September 3, 1929) was, according to data from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the last surviving U.S. veteran of the Mexican-American War. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the United States Navy as a 2nd-class apprentice on February 10, 1846, and was discharged August 8, 1849. Edgar saw service on the frigates Potomac, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and Experience. After the war, he worked at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing for 21 years, then worked at a bank for another 31 years. He spent his last ten years living at the John Dickson Home in Washington, D.C. Edgar died on September 3, 1929 at the age of 98 after suffering a fall from a chair that fractured his leg, and was buried in Washington's Congressional Cemetery.