CH 9CH 9EXPANDING EXPANDING WESTWARDWESTWARD

Section 4 – The Mexican WarSection 4 – The Mexican War

Tensions EscalateTensions Escalate

Texas gains independence following Texas gains independence following the Battle of San Jacinto (1836)the Battle of San Jacinto (1836)

Texas known as the Texas known as the Lone Star Lone Star RepublicRepublic, led by Sam Houston, led by Sam Houston

1844 election issue – Do we 1844 election issue – Do we annexannex Texas and make it a state?Texas and make it a state?

Dec. 29, 1845 – Dec. 29, 1845 – President James K. President James K. PolkPolk says “Hell yea !” “It’s our says “Hell yea !” “It’s our Manifest Destiny…..”Manifest Destiny…..”

Polk Goes HardPolk Goes Hard Texas had claimed their border was Texas had claimed their border was

the the Rio Grande RiverRio Grande River. Mexico insists . Mexico insists it’s the Nueces River (100 mi. north)it’s the Nueces River (100 mi. north)

Polk supports Texas’ border claim, Polk supports Texas’ border claim, and hopes to be able to purchase CA and hopes to be able to purchase CA and NM from Mexicoand NM from Mexico

Polk sends Polk sends John SlidellJohn Slidell to negotiate to negotiate these terms. Mexico refuses to meet these terms. Mexico refuses to meet him.him.

Polk places Polk places Gen. Zachary TaylorGen. Zachary Taylor and and cannon on the Rio Grande anyway.cannon on the Rio Grande anyway.

Debate Over ConflictDebate Over ConflictPro-WarPro-War

Southerners and Southerners and ExpansionistsExpansionists

Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny Mexico was rude Mexico was rude

and also weakand also weak Southerners hope Southerners hope

to extend slaveryto extend slavery

Anti-WarAnti-War

Northerners and Northerners and AbolitionistsAbolitionists

We are bulliesWe are bullies Fear it is a plot to Fear it is a plot to

extend slaveryextend slavery

Polk Sparks a WarPolk Sparks a War

Polk send explorer Polk send explorer John C. FremontJohn C. Fremont into Alta California Province w/ troopsinto Alta California Province w/ troops

Mexico sees Taylor’s troops on the Mexico sees Taylor’s troops on the Rio Grande and Fremont as violating Rio Grande and Fremont as violating their territorytheir territory

Mexico sends troops across Rio Mexico sends troops across Rio Grande and in skirmish near Grande and in skirmish near Matamoros, TX, 9 US soldiers killedMatamoros, TX, 9 US soldiers killed

John C. Fremont Zachary Taylor

Matamoros

Congress ApprovesCongress Approves

Polk asks for war “American blood Polk asks for war “American blood has been spilled on American soil!”has been spilled on American soil!”

Congressman Congressman Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln asks asks for for Spot ResolutionSpot Resolution to prove exactly to prove exactly where the skirmish happenedwhere the skirmish happened

Many feel we provoked this…Many feel we provoked this…

Congress declares war 174-14.Congress declares war 174-14.

Taking the SouthwestTaking the Southwest

Aug 1846 – Aug 1846 – Gen. Stephen KearnyGen. Stephen Kearny marches to New Mexico and it marches to New Mexico and it surrenders without a single shotsurrenders without a single shot

June 1846 – June 1846 – Gen. John C. FremontGen. John C. Fremont leads U.S. settlers in revolt in CA. leads U.S. settlers in revolt in CA. Republic of CaliforniaRepublic of California declares declares independence from Mexico.independence from Mexico.

A Quick BeatdownA Quick Beatdown

Gen. Gen. Zachary TaylorZachary Taylor “Old Rough and “Old Rough and Ready” takes Monterrey, Buena VistaReady” takes Monterrey, Buena Vista

Gen. Gen. Winfield ScottWinfield Scott “Old Fuss and “Old Fuss and Feathers” takes Veracruz, Mexico Feathers” takes Veracruz, Mexico City on Sept. 14, 1847.City on Sept. 14, 1847.

These generals never lost a battle.These generals never lost a battle.

Winfield Scott

The Spoils of WarThe Spoils of War Casualties:Casualties:

MexicoMexico – 25,000 killed – 25,000 killed

U.S.U.S. – 13,000 killed – 13,000 killed

(11,000 from disease)(11,000 from disease) Treaty of Guadalupe HidalgoTreaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo::

MexicoMexico - gets $15 million - gets $15 million

U.S.U.S. – gets California, Nevada, Arizona, – gets California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Rio Grande border for Texasand Rio Grande border for Texas

The Gadsden PurchaseThe Gadsden Purchase

1853 – President Franklin Pierce 1853 – President Franklin Pierce approves purchase of southern approves purchase of southern Arizona from Mexico to extend RR’s Arizona from Mexico to extend RR’s for $10 millionfor $10 million

Borders of 48 states Borders of 48 states

now in place….now in place….

Tacos are good.Tacos are good.

Knowledge Knowledge Checkpoint Checkpoint

1.1. What incident and subsequent What incident and subsequent bloodshed sparked the war?bloodshed sparked the war?

2.2. What 2 states were actually their What 2 states were actually their own independent nations first?own independent nations first?

3.3. Which general, and later president, Which general, and later president, was involved in the beginning and was involved in the beginning and end of this conflict?end of this conflict?

NEXT…………The ongoing debate over the impact of Mexican-Americans relations caused NEXT…………The ongoing debate over the impact of Mexican-Americans relations caused by this war and other conflicts made that much more heated by immigration by this war and other conflicts made that much more heated by immigration issues, NAFTA trade obligations, and years of political and economic exploitation.issues, NAFTA trade obligations, and years of political and economic exploitation.