Mexican-American War The conflict and the addition of territories

The Background  Mexico had won the war against Spain Empire and got their independence.  The Mexican Empire now inherited the provinces of Alta California, Nuevo M é xico, and Texas.  However, due to bankruptcy after the war and weakness of controlling these Northern regions, Mexican government allowed U.S families to settle.  Mexico had won the war against Spain Empire and got their independence.  The Mexican Empire now inherited the provinces of Alta California, Nuevo M é xico, and Texas.  However, due to bankruptcy after the war and weakness of controlling these Northern regions, Mexican government allowed U.S families to settle.

Map of Mexico (1846)

Disputed territory  U.S and México disputed over the region bounded between Rio Grande and Nueces River.

U.S movement  Although U.S claimed to annex Texas, it was followed by several controversies within Congress  --> Free vs. Slave state?  --> Inevitable question of war between Mexico  March 1st, 1845, U.S formally admitted Texas as the 28th state.  Although U.S claimed to annex Texas, it was followed by several controversies within Congress  --> Free vs. Slave state?  --> Inevitable question of war between Mexico  March 1st, 1845, U.S formally admitted Texas as the 28th state.

U.S Movement contd.  Polk dispatched Zachary Taylor and his troops in July to ensure regions. (then to Rio Grande in January)  Polk sent John Slidell in an attempt to buy off the territories, but rejected.  After Thornton Affair, U.S declared war on Mexico.  Polk dispatched Zachary Taylor and his troops in July to ensure regions. (then to Rio Grande in January)  Polk sent John Slidell in an attempt to buy off the territories, but rejected.  After Thornton Affair, U.S declared war on Mexico.

Mexican reaction  Thought disgrace to national honor to sell the territories.  Jos é Joaqu í n de Herrera did not like the war, but coup d ’ etat by Mariano Paredes.  April 25, 1846, Mexican soldiers fired at American troops and killed 16 men and captured rest of regiment. (Thornton Affair)  Thought disgrace to national honor to sell the territories.  Jos é Joaqu í n de Herrera did not like the war, but coup d ’ etat by Mariano Paredes.  April 25, 1846, Mexican soldiers fired at American troops and killed 16 men and captured rest of regiment. (Thornton Affair)

Antonio L ó pez de Santa Anna  Exiled in Cuba  Agreed to settle the war (With U.S), but in return to Mexico, but reneged  Agreed to help and fight foreign invasion (to Mexico), but did not.  Exiled in Cuba  Agreed to settle the war (With U.S), but in return to Mexico, but reneged  Agreed to help and fight foreign invasion (to Mexico), but did not.

Battles can_war_overview.gif can_war_overview.gif

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and Aftermath  Mexican cession of 525,000 square miles for $15 million dollars. (About 300 million now; not including Texas)  13,000 lives (U.S), Over 25,000 (Mexico)  Set of Border (Rio Grande)  Nicholas Trist  Enlarge of 20% of land  Mexican cession of 525,000 square miles for $15 million dollars. (About 300 million now; not including Texas)  13,000 lives (U.S), Over 25,000 (Mexico)  Set of Border (Rio Grande)  Nicholas Trist  Enlarge of 20% of land

THE END.