1. The Mexican American War 1846-1848 1

2. Manifest Destiny The idea that it is the mission or “destiny” of the United States to expand west. The idea that it is the mission or “destiny” of the United States to expand west. 2

3. 3

4. Mexico Pre-War By the early 1800’s the Northern part of Mexico (today the U.S) was not very populated. By the early 1800’s the Northern part of Mexico (today the U.S) was not very populated. The Mexican government had won their independence from Spain in 1821. The Mexican government had won their independence from Spain in 1821. 4

5. U.S Expansion West The U.S. viewed California as a Utopia and desired the land between the Louisiana Purchase and California. The U.S. viewed California as a Utopia and desired the land between the Louisiana Purchase and California. President James Polk was a supporter of expansion and would take land at any cost. President James Polk was a supporter of expansion and would take land at any cost. 5

6. How the War Began Mexico does not view the Mexican-American War as a war, they see it as an invasion. Mexico does not view the Mexican-American War as a war, they see it as an invasion. Many American citizens lived in Mexico, specifically Texas. Many American citizens lived in Mexico, specifically Texas. 6

7. Texas By 1844 the U.S. citizens living in Mexico no longer wanted to live under the Mexican rule. By 1844 the U.S. citizens living in Mexico no longer wanted to live under the Mexican rule. –They did not want to be part of the U.S either. These people called Tejanos wanted Texas to be its own country. These people called Tejanos wanted Texas to be its own country. 7

8. Texas While Texas did belong to Mexico, the United States saw this as an opportunity to gain territory. While Texas did belong to Mexico, the United States saw this as an opportunity to gain territory. 8

9. April 25 th, 1846 America went to war with Mexico. America went to war with Mexico. –The war was not a fair fight. For 2 years Mexico and the U.S engaged in a variety of battles. For 2 years Mexico and the U.S engaged in a variety of battles. 9

10. 10

11. Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo Signed on Feb. 2, 1848 Signed on Feb. 2, 1848 The United States acquired more than 500,000 square miles of valuable territory. The United States acquired more than 500,000 square miles of valuable territory. 11

12. An End to the War By Sept. of 1848 the U.S had made it to Mexico’s capital: Mexico City. By Sept. of 1848 the U.S had made it to Mexico’s capital: Mexico City. –Once inside the leader of the Mexican Army, Santa Anna, no longer thought the war was worth the cost and surrendered. 12

13. Aftermath of the Invasion U.S. government now believed in the superiority over the Mexican government. U.S. government now believed in the superiority over the Mexican government. 13

14. Aftermath Although the war ended in 1848 it had lasting effects. Although the war ended in 1848 it had lasting effects. During World War One the Germans tried to convince the Mexican government to go to war with the U.S. promising they would reclaim their lands. During World War One the Germans tried to convince the Mexican government to go to war with the U.S. promising they would reclaim their lands. This caused the U.S to enter WWI. This caused the U.S to enter WWI. 14