War with MexicoWar with Mexico

If at first you don’t succeed, If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. When that fails try, try again. When that fails

just start a huge war.just start a huge war.

► Texas becomes a major issue in the 1844 Texas becomes a major issue in the 1844 election.election.

► James K. Polk wanted to finally achieve “Manifest James K. Polk wanted to finally achieve “Manifest Destiny” (a term coined by John O’ Sullivan) and Destiny” (a term coined by John O’ Sullivan) and Texas as well as the Oregon Territory were key.Texas as well as the Oregon Territory were key.

►December 29, 1845 Texas officially becomes a December 29, 1845 Texas officially becomes a state.state.

► Texas becoming a state bothered Mexico because Texas becoming a state bothered Mexico because they felt that Texas was a “stolen province”. they felt that Texas was a “stolen province”. Remember, Mexico has not recognized that Texas Remember, Mexico has not recognized that Texas is a free and independent nation.is a free and independent nation.

Tensions MountTensions Mount►Mexico refused to sell the US California and Mexico refused to sell the US California and

New Mexico, so President Polk plotted to pull New Mexico, so President Polk plotted to pull Mexico into a war to gain the land.Mexico into a war to gain the land.

► The idea was that Mexico should act first The idea was that Mexico should act first militarily and that way we would be militarily and that way we would be defending ourselves.defending ourselves.

► The border between Mexico and Texas was The border between Mexico and Texas was set at the Nueces River according to Mexico set at the Nueces River according to Mexico and the Rio Grande River 150 miles south and the Rio Grande River 150 miles south according to the US.according to the US.

Tensions MountTensions Mount►Polk tried diplomacy by sending John Polk tried diplomacy by sending John

Slidell to Mexico authorizing a deal of Slidell to Mexico authorizing a deal of $30 million for both California and New $30 million for both California and New Mexico and accepting the Rio Grande Mexico and accepting the Rio Grande as the official border between the two as the official border between the two nations.nations.

►Mexico refused and stated that it would Mexico refused and stated that it would reinstate Mexico’s claim to Texas.reinstate Mexico’s claim to Texas.

Tensions MountTensions Mount►Polk sent Gen Zachary Taylor into the Polk sent Gen Zachary Taylor into the

disputed land north of the Rio.disputed land north of the Rio.►Taylor built a small fort.Taylor built a small fort.►The move was seen as a hostile act The move was seen as a hostile act

according to Mexico.according to Mexico.►On April 24, 1846 Mexican troops On April 24, 1846 Mexican troops

attacked a small force of Taylor’s attacked a small force of Taylor’s soldiers killing 11.soldiers killing 11.

Tensions MountTensions Mount►Taylor sent word to Polk: “Hostilities Taylor sent word to Polk: “Hostilities

may now be considered as may now be considered as commenced”.commenced”.

►Polk asks Congress for a declaration of Polk asks Congress for a declaration of war: “Mexico has shed American war: “Mexico has shed American blood on American soil”.blood on American soil”.

►On May 13, 1846 Congress declared On May 13, 1846 Congress declared war on Mexico.war on Mexico.

Dissention in the RanksDissention in the Ranks►The American people were divided:The American people were divided:

Democrats (Polk’s party) supported the war.Democrats (Polk’s party) supported the war. Whigs opposed it calling Polk’s actions Whigs opposed it calling Polk’s actions

aggressive and unjust.aggressive and unjust. Northerners accused Democrats of waging Northerners accused Democrats of waging

the war to spread slavery.the war to spread slavery. Southerners favored the war thinking that Southerners favored the war thinking that

any territory won would be organized into any territory won would be organized into slave states.slave states.

Congressman Abe Lincoln challenged Polk Congressman Abe Lincoln challenged Polk as to the exact spot of the attack.as to the exact spot of the attack.

Polk’s PlanPolk’s Plan►American troops would drive Mexican American troops would drive Mexican

forces out of the disputed border forces out of the disputed border region in Texas and secure the area.region in Texas and secure the area.

►The US would seize New Mexico and The US would seize New Mexico and California.California.

►American forces would take Mexico American forces would take Mexico City.City.

He’s Back!He’s Back!► Taylor and his troops continued to march Taylor and his troops continued to march

south into Mexico.south into Mexico.► In February 1847 Taylor and his troops met In February 1847 Taylor and his troops met

none other than Santa Anna (once again in none other than Santa Anna (once again in charge of the Mexican government) at charge of the Mexican government) at Buena Vista.Buena Vista.

► Santa Anna sent a note to the Americans Santa Anna sent a note to the Americans demanding their surrender.demanding their surrender.

► ““General Taylor never surrenders!”General Taylor never surrenders!”► The Mexican troops far outnumbered the The Mexican troops far outnumbered the

Americans forces, but the Americans were Americans forces, but the Americans were better armed, trained and led.better armed, trained and led.

He’s Back!He’s Back!►After a fierce two day battle, Santa Anna After a fierce two day battle, Santa Anna

retreated under the cover of darkness.retreated under the cover of darkness.►Taylor success made him popular among Taylor success made him popular among

the troops and a war hero back at home.the troops and a war hero back at home.►Soldiers called him “Old Rough and Ready”.Soldiers called him “Old Rough and Ready”.►Polk becomes nervous of Taylor’s popularity Polk becomes nervous of Taylor’s popularity

– could the White House be in his future?– could the White House be in his future?►Polk replaces Taylor with Gen. Winfield Scott Polk replaces Taylor with Gen. Winfield Scott

aka “Old Fuss and Feathers.” aka “Old Fuss and Feathers.”

The Fall of New MexicoThe Fall of New Mexico► In the summer of 1846, Gen. Stephen In the summer of 1846, Gen. Stephen

Watts Kearny led approximately 1,500 Watts Kearny led approximately 1,500 cavalry soldiers along the Santa Fe Trail cavalry soldiers along the Santa Fe Trail from Missouri to New Mexico.from Missouri to New Mexico.

►The Mexican governor fled.The Mexican governor fled.►On August 18, 1846 Kearny captured New On August 18, 1846 Kearny captured New

Mexico’s capital Santa Fe without firing a Mexico’s capital Santa Fe without firing a single shot.single shot.

►The road to California was now wide The road to California was now wide open.open.

The Bear Flag RepublicThe Bear Flag Republic►On June 14, 1846, a small group of On June 14, 1846, a small group of

Americans seized the town of Sonoma Americans seized the town of Sonoma capturing the Mexican general Vallejos capturing the Mexican general Vallejos and declared CA a free and and declared CA a free and independent country.independent country.

►Kearny’s army along with naval Kearny’s army along with naval commander Robert Stockton planned commander Robert Stockton planned on taking San Diego and move on taking San Diego and move northward capturing Los Angeles and northward capturing Los Angeles and San Gabriel.San Gabriel.

The Bear Flag RepublicThe Bear Flag Republic►Commodore John Drake Sloat seized Commodore John Drake Sloat seized

Monterey, the capital of California, and Monterey, the capital of California, and San Francisco.San Francisco.

► In July of 1846 California is annexed by In July of 1846 California is annexed by the US.the US.

►Some skirmishes would ensue before Some skirmishes would ensue before California would be fully controlled by California would be fully controlled by the US in January 1847.the US in January 1847.

The Capture of Mexico CityThe Capture of Mexico City►Gen. Winfield Scott landed on the coast of the Gen. Winfield Scott landed on the coast of the

Gulf of Mexico in March 1847 near the port of Gulf of Mexico in March 1847 near the port of Veracruz.Veracruz.

► After a 3 week siege Veracruz fell.After a 3 week siege Veracruz fell.► Scott set his sights on Mexico City 300 miles Scott set his sights on Mexico City 300 miles

away.away.► Battling not only the Mexican army but bands Battling not only the Mexican army but bands

of armed peasants, the US troops reach of armed peasants, the US troops reach Mexico City at the end of August 1847.Mexico City at the end of August 1847.

The Capture of Mexico CityThe Capture of Mexico City►A few divisions of the Mexican army A few divisions of the Mexican army

and a group of boys from the Mexican and a group of boys from the Mexican Military College engaged the US troops Military College engaged the US troops in defense of the capital.in defense of the capital.

►By mid-September Mexico City falls By mid-September Mexico City falls and the Mexican government and the Mexican government surrenders.surrenders.

The Capture of Mexico CityThe Capture of Mexico City►The US lost 1,721 men to battle and The US lost 1,721 men to battle and

11,000 to disease.11,000 to disease.►Mexico lost far more.Mexico lost far more.►The war cost the US nearly $100 The war cost the US nearly $100

million.million.►Mexico lost half their territory.Mexico lost half their territory.

The Treaty of Guadalupe The Treaty of Guadalupe HidalgoHidalgo

► The peace treaty that ended the war was The peace treaty that ended the war was signed in February 1848.signed in February 1848.

►Mexico had to:Mexico had to: Give up all claims to Texas.Give up all claims to Texas. Agree that the border between Texas and Mexico Agree that the border between Texas and Mexico

was the Rio Grande River.was the Rio Grande River. Cede California and New Mexico (Mexican Cede California and New Mexico (Mexican

Cession) in return for $15 million.Cession) in return for $15 million.► In 1852 the US would pay Mexico an In 1852 the US would pay Mexico an

additional $10 million for a small strip of additional $10 million for a small strip of land in AZ and NM (Gadsden Purchase)land in AZ and NM (Gadsden Purchase)

Lasting Effects of the WarLasting Effects of the War►Mexico was humiliated in its defeat.Mexico was humiliated in its defeat.►White culture was seen as superior to White culture was seen as superior to

that of the Mexican or Spanish culture.that of the Mexican or Spanish culture.►The Californios became US citizens but The Californios became US citizens but

their rights were often denied or just their rights were often denied or just ignored.ignored.