1. The Mexican War And Slavery Extension
Ch. 10-2, P. 351

2. Key Terms Manifest Destiny Annex Mexican War
Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo
Gadsden Purchase
Wilmot Proviso
Key Terms

3. Essential Questions What events led to the annexation of Texas?
Why did the United States go to war with Mexico?
Why did the Wilmot Proviso lead to conflict?
Essential Questions

4. After winning independence in 1836, Texas voted to be annexed by the United States.
Americans were not united on annexing Texas.
Southerners and Democrats wanted it.
Northerners and Whigs opposed it.
Annexation of Texas

5. Many people feared annexing Texas would cause war with Mexico.
In 1843, Mexican leader Santa Anna declared annexation would be, “The equivalent to a declaration of war with the Mexican Republic.”
Despite this warning, US President John Tyler signed a treaty annexing Texas in April of 1844; it was quickly defeated by the Whig-controlled Senate.
Annexation of Texas

6. Annexation of Texas Polk defeated Henry Clay, 170-105
James K. Polk of Tennessee, “Young Hickory,” was elected President in November of 1844.
Polk promised to expand the country and not to seek a 2nd term.
Before he took office, Congress approved annexation, and Texas agreed To a treaty in December of 1844.
Mexico broke off diplomatic relations immediately.
Annexation of Texas
Polk defeated Henry Clay,

7. Even if Mexico had accepted the annexation, a bigger problem existed: they disagreed on the border between Texas and Mexico.
War With Mexico

8. In an attempt to avoid war, Polk sent Louisiana’s John Slidell as an ambassador to offer $30 million for Texas, California, and New Mexico.
The Mexican government refused to meet with him.
Polk then sent 3,000 US soldiers under Gen. Zachary Taylor into the disputed territory.
In late April of 1846, they fought with Mexican troops there, and several Americans were killed.
War With Mexico

9. Even though the fighting was in disputed territory, Polk expressed outrage at the spilling of “American blood on American soil.”
Despite some opposition, Congress gave him a declaration of war in May of 1846.
War With Mexico

10. California and New Mexico
At the same time, American settlers attacked and took over Spanish towns in northern California.
US Capt. John C. Fremont took control of the settlers and drove the Mexican army out of northern California.
Meanwhile, US troops led by Gen. Stephen Kearny took over Santa Fe without firing a shot, and continued on to southern California.
Joining up with Fremont, the two armies controlled everything north and west of Texas.
California and New Mexico

11. Whigs did not want to spend government money to fight a war to add slave states.
When a spending bill came up in 1846, Whigs called on Democrats to prove the war was just, and propose an amendment prohibiting slavery from any new territory.
A Democrat from Pennsylvania, David Wilmot, wrote the amendment, which said, as a condition of gaining territory, “…neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of [the new] territory…”
Congress did not pass the amendment, but it would be brought up again and again by anti-slavery northerners in Congress, until the Civil War.
The Wilmot Proviso

12. Taylor moved his army into northern Mexico, winning several battles.
Meanwhile, the US Navy set up a blockade of Mexican ports in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Navy and Army, led by Winfield Scott, destroyed the fortress at Veracruz, and opened a 2nd front there.
Fighting in Mexico

13. Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo
The treaty that ended the war said: -Mexico must give up its claim to Texas and recognize the Rio Grande as the border. -Mexico must give up California and New Mexico. -The United States will pay Mexico $15 Million. -The United States will pay Mexicans for damage caused during the war, up to $3 Million.
Five years later, the US would pay $10 Million for another slice of land, with plans to build a railroad.
Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo