1. Mexican-American War

2. General Info Participants: United States v. Mexico When: 1846-1848
Where: Southwest United States and Mexico

3. Causes Polk wanted the Southwest and California
Southerners pushed for the war for more land to expand slavery
Offered to buy California for $30 million
Mexico refused
Tension over Texas (Border issues-Nueces River)
America had annexed Texas
Mexico still considered it their land and they would get it back

4. Key Events
Plan: Push Mexicans out of Texas and Southwest then invade Mexico
Gen. Zachary Taylor invaded disputed area and provoked Mexican forces to attack
This allowed Polk to get Congress to declare War and Taylor invaded Mexico

5. Discuss What are the causes of the war? Were the causes justified?
What do you predict will be the consequences of the war?

6. Key Events
Bear Flag Revolt: Americans in California revolt against Mexican control and become a free nation (Bear Flag Republic)
Gen. Winfield Scott joined with Gen. Taylor and forced their way into Mexico City forcing Mexico to surrender.

7. Effects Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: Ended the Mexican American War
Mexican Cession: Mexico gave up control of the Southwest and California to America (included 5 future states)
America completed its Manifest Destiny
All land between Atlantic and Pacific was American
Gadsden Purchase: US purchased land from Mexico for a transcontinental railroad

9. New American West Oregon: Border settled with Britain at 49th Parallel
California: Gold found, created Gold Rush
“forty-niners”: people who rush to California for opportunities
Clipper ships invented to make transportation faster
Huge boost to U.S. economy
Wilmot Proviso: Failed attempt by North to limit slavery in new lands west;
upsets south
Moving West: Trails took settlers west
Oregon Trail
Mormon Trail: Mormons (Christian group) escaped persecution
Blazed the trail for later settlers

10. Reflection
Was the Mexican American War justified? Should it have happened?