THE MEXICAN WARTHE MEXICAN WAR

PHOTO OPTPHOTO OPT

An American FamilyAn American Family

Photographer unknown. Courtesy of William J. Schultz, M.D.

A Mexican FamilyA Mexican Family

Photographer unknown, circa 1847. Courtesy of Armon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, Texas

James K. PolkJames K. PolkUnited States PresidentUnited States President

Son of a North Carolina farmer

Jose’ Joaquin de HerreraJose’ Joaquin de Herrera

Presidente Interino de Mexico

Antonio Lopez de Santa AnnaAntonio Lopez de Santa Anna

Zachary TaylorZachary Taylor

MEXICAN WAR POSTERMEXICAN WAR POSTER

Incidents and Sufferings in the Mexican War

Series of EventsSeries of Events

1823- Mexico opens its northern 1823- Mexico opens its northern border to immigrants with the border to immigrants with the understanding that immigrants would understanding that immigrants would become Mexican citizens—American become Mexican citizens—American citizens begin to flood in.citizens begin to flood in.

Mexico tried to close the borders but Mexico tried to close the borders but Americans came anyway.Americans came anyway.

ContinuedContinued

Americans managed their own affairs Americans managed their own affairs as though in America.as though in America.

Mexico abolished the rights of Mexico abolished the rights of American citizens and centralized American citizens and centralized Mexican power in Mexico City.Mexican power in Mexico City.

The American became infuriated and The American became infuriated and revolted against the Mexican revolted against the Mexican government.government.

ContinuedContinued

The actions of the American The actions of the American immigrants infuriated Antonio Lopez immigrants infuriated Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna who attempted a de Santa Anna who attempted a military action to cease the revolt.military action to cease the revolt.

1836- de Santa Anna was in San 1836- de Santa Anna was in San Antonio, Texas. The Mexican forces Antonio, Texas. The Mexican forces attacked the mission, killing all attacked the mission, killing all Americans inside but suffering a Americans inside but suffering a great loss of life themselves.great loss of life themselves.

ContinuedContinued

The rallying cry “Remember the The rallying cry “Remember the Alamo” was in reference to the Alamo” was in reference to the attack at San Antonio.attack at San Antonio.

Next, in Goliad, Texas, 300 American Next, in Goliad, Texas, 300 American prisoners were executed.prisoners were executed.

In San Jacinto, a regiment of Texas In San Jacinto, a regiment of Texas soldiers charged a Mexican military soldiers charged a Mexican military camp, killing 600 Mexican soldiers camp, killing 600 Mexican soldiers and taking de Santa Anna prisoner.and taking de Santa Anna prisoner.

ContinuedContinued

This marked the birth of the This marked the birth of the Independent Republic of Texas.Independent Republic of Texas.

……but it wasn’t over yet…but it wasn’t over yet…