1. Cultures Clash in the Southwest The United States Extends it’s Territory

2. Mexican Independence Mexico won its independence from Spain on September 16, 1821. Almost immediately the new nation began to worry about its neighbor to the north, the United States. Why do you think Mexicans were worried?

3. Mexico and the U.S.: 1821

4. American settlers move to Texas… At the time, Texas was still a part of Mexico. Stephen A. Austin led the first group of U.S. settlers to Texas in 1821. Mexico wanted settlers in the region so they could protect their borders. The U.S. settlers had to: 1. Follow Mexican laws 2. Become Mexican citizens 3. Become Roman Catholics

5. Tensions Flare It did not take long for the settlers to outnumber the tejanos – Spanish-speaking residents of Texas. Many of the settlers refused to obey Mexico’s rules (anti-slavery laws). In 1830 Mexico banned U.S. immigration to Texas. Mexico was worried the U.S. settlers would try to make Texas a part of the United States.

6. The Texas Rebellion Also during this time, Mexico was trying to form a stable government. In the 1830’s, General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna overthrew Mexico’s government, made himself dictator, and threw out the Mexican Constitution.

7. Texas Rebellion The U.S. settlers in Texas, and some tejanos, rebelled against Santa Anna. In 1835, Texan rebels overtook Mexican troops at the Alamo – an abandoned mission in San Antonio Texas.

8. The Alamo Santa Anna and a huge Mexican force heard the news and hurried up to the Alamo. After fierce fighting, the Mexican force re-captured the Alamo and put all the Texan defenders to death.

9. Texas Independence While the battle at the Alamo was raging, Texans declared their independence, creating the Republic of Texas. Six weeks later, a large force of Texan rebels captured Santa Anna at San Jacinto. They forced Santa Anna to sign a treaty that recognized the independence of Texas.

10. The Republic of Texas Yellow = Texas Green = Mexico Striped = land claimed by both Texas and Mexico

11. The Republic of Texas Texas independence caused border disputes Texas claimed its border was the Rio Grande River Mexico claimed its border was the Nueces River Texas and Mexico fought several times at the border

12. Annexing Texas Most Texans wanted to join the United States. And many in the U.S. wanted to annex Texas. Annex: To add on or join Mexico warned that if Texas was annexed, it would declare war on the U.S. For nine years, Texas remained an independent state.

13. The Road to War By the mid 1840’s, many Americans wanted not only to annex Texas, but gain California and New Mexico as well. In 1845, Congress officially decided to annex Texas. Mexico was furious, but it did not declare war.

14. The Road to War By this time, most people living in Texas, California, and New Mexico were loyal to the U.S. The U.S. President, James Polk, thought Mexico might want to sell California and New Mexico. He offered $30 million. Mexico refused. It did not want to give up more land.

15. War Breaks Out Polk was determined to get this land from Mexico. In 1846, he sent troops to the Rio Grande, the disputed border. He knew this would start a war, but he was sure the U.S. would win.

16. War Breaks Out Sure enough, Mexican and American troops clashed at the disputed border (Thornton Affair). The two nations prepared for war in 1836. Mexico had "invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil." - Polk

17. Who Opposed the War? Republicans (Former Federalists) did not want war Northern states did not want war

18. Mexican American War U.S. forces attacked Mexico from three sides. They won battles at the Rio Grande, California, and Veracruz. They then marched on the capital, Mexico City.

19. Famous Generals & Leaders Robert E. Lee Winfield Scott Jefferson Davis Ulysses S. Grant Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson Zachary Taylor George Meade George McClellan

21. Mexican American War At Mexico City, U.S. troops greatly outnumbered the Mexican defenders (still led by Santa Anna). Mexico’s last stronghold was at Chapultepec Castle. Here, Mexican cadets (soldiers in training – some as young as 13) fought bravely until all were killed. Mexico City was conquered in 1847.

22. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo This peace treaty ended the war in 1848 and gave the United States almost half of Mexico’s land. We paid $15 million. (less than ½ original offer) This land was called the Mexican Cession. Not long after, California and New Mexico became states.