Chapter 9

Manifest Destiny

focusing on the

Mexican American War

Mexican Independence Took 13 years, finally

achieved in 1821. Started with demands for

self-gov’t and local uprisings.

1810, a priest named Miguel Hidalgo, triggered a rebellion that spread throughout Southern Mexico.

Treaty of Cordoba officially granted Mexico its independence from Spain!

Setting up for more problems…

Mexico opens up its border to trade with the USA.Spain hadn’t allowed foreigners or foreign trade within

border provinces. Mexican Gov’t set two conditions.

Settlers had to convert to Catholicism and become Mexican citizens.

American traders saw an opportunity for profit in the Santa Fe in the province of New Mexico.

A closer look…The Battle of the Alamo

Lasted 13 days. Col Travis asked for help “to the people of Texas and all

the Americans in the World.” Texans caused 1-1,600 causalities to Mexicans. March 6 – Santa Anna made his way in.

He said, “take no prisoners” When the fighting stopped 180 Texas

dead including leaders (Davy Crockett). 15 people were spared, mostly women and children.

Election of 1844 Annexing Texas was the HOT ISSUE!!!

Henry Clay opposed annexing it.Didn’t want war with Mexico.

<- James K. Polk supported annexing.- He also supported the re- occupation of the northern

territory to gain northern support.

Should the United States Annex Texas?DECISION POINT

Election of 1844… what does it all mean?

Henry K. Polk wins (11th President)Expansionist & advocator of Manifest Destiny Congress approves annexation.

Texas becomes 28th state in the Union.

One month after Congress does this, Mexico breaks off all diplomatic relations.

War with Mexico Even if Mexico accepted the annex… The border over Texas and Mexico remained a constant

battle. US claimed Rio Grande was official US/Mex border. Mex said it was the Nueces River (few miles north).

Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico City to try and buy New Mexico and California for $30 million! Mexican gov’t didn’t even receive him, or hear his offer.

Troops are on the move… Polk sent General Zachary Taylor to

lead American forces into disputed territory. Attacked by Mexican forces, killed US troops. Polk seized his chance!

Angry at the “American blood on American soil”, Polk asked Congress to declare war. Meanwhile…John C. Fremont leads troops into California in

preparation to fight.

The Trouble with Texas May 1846 – US declares war on Mexico South and West support war.

Northeast opposed it, called it the “war of conquest” Henry David Thoreau, went to jail for not paying his taxes to

support the war. His practice of passive resistance later influences Gandhi and MLK, Jr.

Polk’s war plan was to seize New Mexico and California.

Stephen Kearney led forces into Santa Fe… Took New Mexico without firing a shot! Next… off to California!

CA: The Bear Flag Revolt John C. Fremont led a rebellion

against Mexican authority in California.

Seized the Mexican leader Mariano Vallejo and threw him in jail. Made a flag with a grizzly bear

and a single star and declared California the Bear Flag Republic.

1846 – Kearney’s troops joined the Americans rebelling.

1847 – US controlled California.

Defeating Mexico U.S. Forces invaded Mexico

Zachary Taylor led forces South from Texas Defeated Santa Anna’s troops

Winfield Scott landed at Veracruz and moved inland toward Mexico City Killed 1,000 Mexican soldiers

and 100 cadets at Chapultepec 1847 – conquered Mexico City

Defeating Mexico Treaty of Guadalupe

Hidalgo ended the war Mexico accepted Rio Grande

as its northern border Mexico gave up a vast stretch

of land between Texas and the Pacific Ocean that included present day states of California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona (Mexican Cession)

Defeating Mexico… cont. Gadsden Purchase (1853) –

U.S. purchased strip of land across southern New Mexico and Arizona for $10 million

Completed the present-day southwestern boundary of the United States

Wilmot Proviso Effect of Mexican American War: slavery debate

Do we allow more slave states? What about the balance of Congress?

1846 – a bill came before Congress to provide funds for negotiating with Mexico. A Pennsylvania Democrat, David Wilmot, added this…

Slavery would not be permitted in any of the territory acquried from Mexico.

CONGRESS SAID HECK NO!

This showed the widening gap b/t the democratic slave-owning south, and the republican free north.

Reading Skill: Understand EffectsNOTE TAKING

The drama isn’t over…The California Gold Rush

Sutter’s Mill 49ers Boom town Ghost town Prejudice Chinese ½ million in California 1850 –

Applies to be a free state.

Mining for GoldTRANSPARENCY

California has enough people… they want to become a state.

But… what about the balance of power?

Clay’s Compromise of 1850CHART

Fate of the Compromise of 1850

Congress approves!Southerners were not happy…but it brought a

brief calm.Fugitive Slave Act portion angered many

Northerners. Many feared that Pres. Zach Taylor would

veto… He died… so his VP Millard Fillmore became

President.