Chapter 10 Section 2 NotesThe Mexican War and Slavery Extension

Main Idea

• The annexation of Texas and the Mexican War of 1846–1848 extended the boundaries of the United States from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Manifest Destiny• Migration from the United States into western territories

surged in the 1830s and 1840s. • Americans dreamed of an empire stretching from the

Atlantic to the Pacific. • These Americans believed that the United States had a

divine mission to spread liberty, democracy, Christianity and businesses across the continent.

• A New York journalist named John L. O'Sullivan captured this sense of mission when he coined the phrase manifest destiny

• In the 1840s, Americans believed that no other nation should be allowed to keep the United States from fulfilling its destiny.

Manifest Destiny - belief that the U.S. had the right to all the land between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

Manifest Destiny: Video

Election of 1844

• Presidential candidate James Polk believed strongly in Manifest Destiny, and he favored annexing Oregon and Texas.

President James K. Polk

• His Presidential slogans were:

“Fifty-Four Forty or Fight” and

“All of Oregon or None”

• The U.S. declared war on Mexico in 1846, shortly after annexing Texas.

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Mexican War – The Beginning

Annexation of Texas• In 1836, after winning

independence from Mexico, Texans voted to be annexed, added, by the United States.

• Texans encouraged the United States to add them to protect themselves from invasion by Mexico.

• Americans were split on the issue of adding Texas.

• Southerners and Democrats supported it—they saw the potential of another slave state.

• Northerners and Whigs opposed it. • They feared that the addition of

even one slave state would shift the balance of power to the South.

Annexation of Texas cont.• Many people in both the North

and the South worried that annexation would lead to war with Mexico.

• They were right.• in August 1843 Mexican leader

Santa Anna warned that annexation would be “equivalent to a declaration of war against the Mexican Republic.”

• Despite this warning, President John Tyler signed a treaty of annexation with Texas in April 1844.

• Two months later the Whig-controlled Senate defeated the treaty

Annexation of Texas cont.• Later that year Democrat James K. Polk won the

presidency.

• Polk was a very strong supporter of expansion

• The victory of Polk suggested that the majority of Americans wanted to acquire more territory.

• In February 1845, before Polk even took the oath of office, Congress approved annexation.

• In December 1845, after Texas voters added their approval, Texas became the twenty-eighth state in the Union.

War with Mexico• In March 1845, one month after Congress

approved annexation, Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with the United States.

• a dispute about the southern boundary of Texas remained an explosive issue.

• The United States claimed that the Rio Grande was the official American-Mexican border.

• Mexico claimed that the Nueces River, located quite a few miles farther north, was the border.

War with Mexico cont. • President Polk and other southern

Democrats wanted much more from Mexico than just Texas.

• Polk had dreams of acquiring the entire territory stretching from Texas to the Pacific.

• In a final attempt to avoid war, he sent Ambassador John Slidell to Mexico City in November 1845 with an offer to buy New Mexico and California for $30 million.

• The Mexican government refused.

War with Mexico cont.• Determined to have his way, Polk

sent more than 3,000 American troops under General Zachary Taylor into the disputed area of southern Texas.

• Taylor crossed the Nueces in March 1846

• Mexico considered Taylor's advance an invasion of Mexican territory and prepared to take action.

War with Mexico cont.• Mexican troops engaged in

a skirmish with Taylor's forces in late April 1846.

• Several Americans were killed.

• This was the excuse Polk had been waiting for.

• Expressing outrage at the loss of “American blood on American soil,” the President pushed for a declaration of war.

Gen. Zachary Taylor

Gen. Santa Anna

* First battle of the war.

War with Mexico cont.• Despite some opposition,

Congress gave it to him on May 13, 1846, and the Mexican War was declared.

• Meanwhile, an American expedition under the command of Captain John C. Frémont moved into California, under orders from President Polk.

• Before news of the war with Mexico even reached California, a group of American settlers took matters into their own hands.

Bear Flag Revolt• Led by William B. Ide, these

settlers launched a surprise attack on the town of Sonoma on June 14 and proclaimed the Republic of California.

• The settlers' flag pictured a grizzly bear and a single star, so the uprising became known as the Bear Flag Revolt.

• Frémont quickly assumed control of the rebel forces and then drove the Mexican army out of northern California.

Kearny crosses into New Mexico• In July 1846, United States

troops under General Stephen Kearny crossed into New Mexico.

• Meeting little resistance, American forces occupied Santa Fe by mid-August.

• Kearny then took part of his army and marched west to California to join Frémont.

• Together they defeated the Mexican army.

• By January 1847 the United States had taken control of the territories of New Mexico and California.

Fighting in Mexico-Buena Vista• While Frémont and Kearny

were securing Mexico's northern territories, General Taylor had taken the war into Mexico.

• After crossing the Rio Grande, Taylor won a series of victories, leading finally to the Battle of Buena Vista in February 1847.

Buena Vista cont.• Here he met Santa Anna, who had brought an army

of 20,000 Mexican troops north from Mexico City.

• Taylor's army won the hard-fought battle, which left hundreds killed and wounded on both sides.

• When it was over Santa Anna returned to Mexico City rather than continue the struggle.

• Santa Anna abandoned northeastern Mexico to Taylor in part because of a serious threat to his capital.

Winfield ScottWinfield Scott• Pressing for complete victory, Pressing for complete victory,

Polk had sent forces under Polk had sent forces under General Winfield Scott to take General Winfield Scott to take Mexico City. Mexico City.

• In March 1847, Scott captured In March 1847, Scott captured the port city of Veracruz. the port city of Veracruz.

• Then he marched his army of Then he marched his army of 10,000 men toward Mexico 10,000 men toward Mexico City .City .

• After fierce fighting, Scott After fierce fighting, Scott defeated Santa Anna's forces defeated Santa Anna's forces and captured the Mexican and captured the Mexican capital on September 14, capital on September 14, bringing the war to an end.bringing the war to an end.

Treaty of Guadalupe HidalgoTreaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo• With the defeat of its troops and the With the defeat of its troops and the

fall of the country's capital, the fall of the country's capital, the Mexican government sought peace. Mexican government sought peace.

• The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on February 2, 1848, signed on February 2, 1848, reflected Mexico's weak bargaining reflected Mexico's weak bargaining position.position.

• 1. Mexico gave up Texas and 1. Mexico gave up Texas and recognized the Rio Grande as the recognized the Rio Grande as the border.border.

• 2. Mexico gave New Mexico and 2. Mexico gave New Mexico and California to the USCalifornia to the US

• 3. US paid Mexico $15 million.3. US paid Mexico $15 million.

• 4. Officially ended the Mexican War4. Officially ended the Mexican War

• Northerners opposed the war. They felt it was a Southern attempt to add more slave states to the Union.

Michigan

Maine

Illinois

Indiana

Ohio

Vermont

Rhode Island

New York

New Hampshire

Massachusetts

Connecticut

New Jersey

Pennsylvania

Arkansas

Missouri

Alabama

Mississippi

Louisiana

Tennessee

Kentucky

Virginia

North Carolina

South Carolina

Maryland

Georgia

Delaware

Free States

Slave States

Balance of Power Between Free and Slave States as of 1844

Original 13 States

Gadsden PurchaseGadsden Purchase• Five years later, in 1853, the Five years later, in 1853, the

Mexican government sold Mexican government sold 30,000 square miles of 30,000 square miles of present-day southern New present-day southern New Mexico and Arizona to the Mexico and Arizona to the United States for $10 United States for $10 million. million.

• Known as the Gadsden Known as the Gadsden Purchase, this land Purchase, this land eventually provided a route eventually provided a route for the southern for the southern transcontinental railroad.transcontinental railroad.

Gadsden PurchaseThe United States bought southern NM and AZ for $10 million.

• Mexico recognized the Texas-Mexico border as the Rio Grande.• Mexico ceded the Mexican Cession to the United States.• Today, the Mexican Cession are the states of CA, NV, UT, and parts of AZ, NM, CO, and WY.• The United States paid Mexico $15 million.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo – 1848 (Video)

The Mexican CessionThe Mexican CessionThe Mexican CessionThe Mexican Cession

Causes and Effects of the Mexican War

Results of the Mexican Results of the Mexican War?War?

Results of the Mexican Results of the Mexican War?War?1.1. The 17-month war cost $100,000,000 and The 17-month war cost $100,000,000 and

13,000+13,000+American lives (mostly of disease).American lives (mostly of disease).

2.2. New territories were brought into the New territories were brought into the Union which forced the explosive issue of Union which forced the explosive issue of SLAVERY to the center of national SLAVERY to the center of national politics.politics. * Brought in 1 million sq. mi. of land * Brought in 1 million sq. mi. of land (incl. TX)(incl. TX)

3.3. These new territories would upset the These new territories would upset the balance of power between North and balance of power between North and South. South.

4.4. Created two popular Whig generals who Created two popular Whig generals who ran for President.ran for President.

5.5. Manifest Destiny partially realized.Manifest Destiny partially realized.

1.1. The 17-month war cost $100,000,000 and The 17-month war cost $100,000,000 and 13,000+13,000+American lives (mostly of disease).American lives (mostly of disease).

2.2. New territories were brought into the New territories were brought into the Union which forced the explosive issue of Union which forced the explosive issue of SLAVERY to the center of national SLAVERY to the center of national politics.politics. * Brought in 1 million sq. mi. of land * Brought in 1 million sq. mi. of land (incl. TX)(incl. TX)

3.3. These new territories would upset the These new territories would upset the balance of power between North and balance of power between North and South. South.

4.4. Created two popular Whig generals who Created two popular Whig generals who ran for President.ran for President.

5.5. Manifest Destiny partially realized.Manifest Destiny partially realized.

The Wilmot ProvisoThe Wilmot Proviso• The most important effect of the Mexican War The most important effect of the Mexican War

was helping to bring the question of slavery to was helping to bring the question of slavery to the forefront of American politics. the forefront of American politics.

• Politicians have been avoiding this issue since the Politicians have been avoiding this issue since the Missouri Compromise in 1820.Missouri Compromise in 1820.

• they had to confront the slavery issue directly they had to confront the slavery issue directly when they created new territories or stateswhen they created new territories or states

• The issue facing Congress in the 1840s and 1850s The issue facing Congress in the 1840s and 1850s was whether or not to allow slavery in the was whether or not to allow slavery in the territories acquired by the United States from territories acquired by the United States from MexicoMexico

Wilmot Proviso cont.Wilmot Proviso cont.• Any decision that is made would change the power Any decision that is made would change the power

in Congress either to the North or to the Southin Congress either to the North or to the South• Northerners also feared that adding slave states Northerners also feared that adding slave states

could cause an economic shift to the South.could cause an economic shift to the South.• In 1846, a bill came before Congress to provide In 1846, a bill came before Congress to provide

funds for negotiating with Mexico. funds for negotiating with Mexico. • Pennsylvania Democrat David Wilmot attached a Pennsylvania Democrat David Wilmot attached a

proviso, or amendment, to the bill. proviso, or amendment, to the bill. • The Wilmot Proviso stated that “neither slavery nor The Wilmot Proviso stated that “neither slavery nor

involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory.”said territory.”

Wilmot Proviso cont.Wilmot Proviso cont.• If the amendment passed, it would have closed If the amendment passed, it would have closed

California and New Mexico to slavery as a California and New Mexico to slavery as a requirement for their annexation. requirement for their annexation.

• Congress did not pass the amendment.Congress did not pass the amendment.

• The Wilmot Proviso never became law. The Wilmot Proviso never became law.

• Each time it came up for discussion, the Wilmot Each time it came up for discussion, the Wilmot Proviso revealed the growing gap between the Proviso revealed the growing gap between the North and the South over slavery.North and the South over slavery.