1. MEXICAN WAR

2. ANNEXATION
To take over a territory and incorporate it into another entity (e.g., country, state)
After Texas declared independence after its revolution, U.S. wanted to add it to the Union

3. DEBATE OVER ANNEXATION
Some were worried that TX would become ally of Great Britain if not admitted to the Union
Others feared that admission of Texas would increase slave states’ power in Congress
Annexation issue dominated Presidential election of 1844

4. 1844 ELECTION Henry Clay of KY vs. James K. Polk of TN
Polk was for annexation of TX
Clay refused to address the issue of TX in his campaign
Polk won and took it as a sign that people wanted annexation
His win also increased tension between Mexico and the U.S.

5. CONFLICT WITH MEXICO
Mexico warned that if U.S. admitted TX it would be seen as a declaration of war
TX was admitted to the Union on March 3, 1845
Polk wanted Mexico to recognize the Rio Grande River as its Northern border
Polk sent John Slidell, a Louisiana lawyer to negotiate with Mexico
Tried to persuade Mexico to recognize Rio Grande as border and sell NM and CA to the U.S.

6. MEXICAN WAR On May 13, 1846 Congress declared war on Mexico
Americans were critical of the war, especially Lincoln, who was then a Congressman
Nicknamed the war “Mr. Polk’s War” because many believed there was no justification for it and that he wanted to acquire more slave territory

7. WAR CONT… Bear Flag Revolt Siege of Mexico City
Captain John Fremont and settlers in California revolted against Mexico and declared it an independent republic
Siege of Mexico City
General Winfield Scott led his troops in the final campaign of the war in Mexico City
Lasted from March 1847-September 14, 1847, when the Mexicans surrendered

8. TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO
Treaty that ended the war in February 1848
Mexico gave up all claims to Texas
Mexican Cession=present-day states of California, Nevada, Utah
U.S. agreed to: pay Mexico $15 million, pay for the damages against Mexico, and grant citizenship to Mexicans living in Mexican Cession territory
Gadsden Purchase=U.S. acquirement of Arizona and New Mexico

10. Memorials

11. CREATING A MEXICAN WAR MEMORIAL
1. What is the goal of your memorial?
Do you wish to commemorate the war? Or do you want to condemn it?
2. Who is the target audience of your memorial?
Are you appealing to the Mexicans who fought; Americans who fought; politicians involved?
3. Who would your memorial honor?
4. What words, if any, would be on your memorial?
5. In what city or state would your memorial live?
6. What would be the set up for your memorial?
A plaque, statue, park, building, etc.
If you want to be creative you could sketch it
Additional group ideas about the memorial: