Mexican American WarMexican American War

1846-18481846-1848

Mexico and TexasMexico and Texas Mexico declared independence from Spain in Mexico declared independence from Spain in

1810, recognized in 18211810, recognized in 1821 1822, Stephen Austin founded colony of 1822, Stephen Austin founded colony of

several hundred Americans in East Texasseveral hundred Americans in East Texas 1825 – 1,800 colonists1825 – 1,800 colonists 1835 – 30,0001835 – 30,000

As numbers increased, Americans demanded As numbers increased, Americans demanded more political controlmore political control Wanted slavery to be guaranteed under Mex. LawWanted slavery to be guaranteed under Mex. Law Wanted same rights that they had in United StatesWanted same rights that they had in United States

Stephen Austin is known Stephen Austin is known as the “Father of Texas”as the “Father of Texas”

Texas War for IndependenceTexas War for Independence

General Santa Ana declared himself dictator of General Santa Ana declared himself dictator of Mexico, stripped Texas of right to self-govt.Mexico, stripped Texas of right to self-govt.

1835 - Texans united for independence, 1835 - Texans united for independence, clashed w/ Mexican troopsclashed w/ Mexican troops

Santa Ana led army across Rio Grande to Santa Ana led army across Rio Grande to subdue rebellionsubdue rebellion

Feb. 1836, reached the Alamo, walled mission Feb. 1836, reached the Alamo, walled mission in San Antonioin San Antonio

Many died, 300 prisoners later executedMany died, 300 prisoners later executed

Republic of TexasRepublic of Texas

March 1836 – Rebels formally declare the March 1836 – Rebels formally declare the independent Republic of Texasindependent Republic of Texas

April 1836 – Texans led by Sam Houston April 1836 – Texans led by Sam Houston ambushed Mexican troops at San Jacinto Riverambushed Mexican troops at San Jacinto River

Captured Santa Ana, forced him to sign treaty Captured Santa Ana, forced him to sign treaty recognizing the Republic of Texasrecognizing the Republic of Texas

Sam Houston elected 1Sam Houston elected 1stst president of Texas president of Texas

Sam HoustonSam Houston

Annexation of TexasAnnexation of Texas

Most Southerners/Democrats supported Texas’ Most Southerners/Democrats supported Texas’ annexation, Northerners/Whigs were opposedannexation, Northerners/Whigs were opposed

1843 – Santa Ana warned that annexation of 1843 – Santa Ana warned that annexation of Texas would be “equivalent to a declaration of Texas would be “equivalent to a declaration of war against the Mexican Republic.”war against the Mexican Republic.”

1845, Republic of Texas voted to be annexed 1845, Republic of Texas voted to be annexed by the United States Congress approvedby the United States Congress approved

Texas became 28Texas became 28thth state state

War with MexicoWar with Mexico

Began over dispute of southern boundary of Began over dispute of southern boundary of TexasTexas U.S. claimed Rio Grande as southern borderU.S. claimed Rio Grande as southern border Mexico claimed Nueces River as borderMexico claimed Nueces River as border

Polk wanted more than just TexasPolk wanted more than just Texas Elected on platform of Manifest DestinyElected on platform of Manifest Destiny Wanted to acquire entire western Mexican territoryWanted to acquire entire western Mexican territory

James Polk (1845-1849)James Polk (1845-1849)

Polk won the Democratic Polk won the Democratic Party nomination for Party nomination for president in 1844 because of president in 1844 because of his support for expansion.his support for expansion. Party’s platform stated: Party’s platform stated:

“the re-occupation of “the re-occupation of Oregon and the re-Oregon and the re-annexation of Texas at the annexation of Texas at the earliest practical period earliest practical period are great American are great American measures.”measures.”

Failed DiplomacyFailed Diplomacy

Polk sent a representative to Mexico City in Polk sent a representative to Mexico City in November, 1845November, 1845 Offered to buy New Mexico and CaliforniaOffered to buy New Mexico and California Mex. Govt. refused to meet himMex. Govt. refused to meet him

Polk then ordered over 3,000 troops under General Polk then ordered over 3,000 troops under General Zachary Taylor into disputed territoryZachary Taylor into disputed territory

Mexican troops engaged in skirmish with American Mexican troops engaged in skirmish with American troopstroops

Polk expressed outrage at loss of “American blood on Polk expressed outrage at loss of “American blood on American soil.”American soil.”

War is Declared on MexicoWar is Declared on Mexico

Polk asked Congress to declare warPolk asked Congress to declare war War declared in May of 1846War declared in May of 1846 American troops took offensiveAmerican troops took offensive Expedition under Captain John Fremont Expedition under Captain John Fremont

moved into Californiamoved into California Group of American settlers had already proclaimed Group of American settlers had already proclaimed

an independent Republic of Californiaan independent Republic of California By Jan. of 1847, U.S. had California and N.M.By Jan. of 1847, U.S. had California and N.M.

War in MexicoWar in Mexico

Generals Taylor and Scott invaded Mexico, Generals Taylor and Scott invaded Mexico, captured the port city of Veracruz, marched captured the port city of Veracruz, marched army of 10,000 toward Mexico Cityarmy of 10,000 toward Mexico City

Captured Mexico City in September, 1848Captured Mexico City in September, 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended warTreaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended war

Mexico gave up claim to TexasMexico gave up claim to Texas Recognized Rio Grande as border with U.S.Recognized Rio Grande as border with U.S. Gave up New Mexico and CaliforniaGave up New Mexico and California United States paid Mexico $15 millionUnited States paid Mexico $15 million

Gadsden PurchaseGadsden Purchase

U.S. considered a southern route for a U.S. considered a southern route for a transcontinental railroadtranscontinental railroad

1853, Mexico sold 30,000 square miles of 1853, Mexico sold 30,000 square miles of southern New Mexico and Arizona to U.S. for southern New Mexico and Arizona to U.S. for $10 million.$10 million.

Treaty of 1818Treaty of 1818

U.S. and Great BritainU.S. and Great Britain Established 49Established 49thth parallel as northern border to parallel as northern border to

the “Stony Mountains” (Rockies)the “Stony Mountains” (Rockies) Joint Control of Oregon Territory for 10 yearsJoint Control of Oregon Territory for 10 years Compensation for Slaves after War of 1812Compensation for Slaves after War of 1812

Rupert’s LandRupert’s Land

Treaties with British

•Treaty of 1818– Established “Joint-Occupancy” of Oregon

Territory between British and U.S.

•Treaty of 1846 (“Oregon Treaty”)– British ceded territory south of 49th Parallel to U.S.

– British moved from Fort Vancouver to Fort Victoria

Acquisition of TerritoryAcquisition of Territory 1763 – French and Indian War1763 – French and Indian War 1783 – Revolutionary War (Treaty of Paris)1783 – Revolutionary War (Treaty of Paris) 1803 – Louisiana Purchase1803 – Louisiana Purchase 1812 – Concrete Northeast Border (Treaty of Ghent)1812 – Concrete Northeast Border (Treaty of Ghent) 1818 – Treaty of 1818, 491818 – Treaty of 1818, 49 thth Parallel to “Stony Mtns”) Parallel to “Stony Mtns”) 1819/21 – Adams-Onis Treaty1819/21 – Adams-Onis Treaty 1845 – Texas as 381845 – Texas as 38thth state state 1846 – Oregon Treaty1846 – Oregon Treaty 1848 – Mexican Cession1848 – Mexican Cession 1853 – Gadsden Purchase1853 – Gadsden Purchase

Frederick Jackson TurnerFrederick Jackson Turner

Turn of the century American historianTurn of the century American historian ““The Significance of the Frontier in American The Significance of the Frontier in American

History” (1893)History” (1893) Claimed the frontier had played a key role in Claimed the frontier had played a key role in

shaping the American character (“rugged shaping the American character (“rugged individualism”)individualism”)

Frontier life created Americans that were Frontier life created Americans that were socially mobile, ready for adventure, bent on socially mobile, ready for adventure, bent on individual self-improvement, and committed individual self-improvement, and committed to democracyto democracy

The West was a sort of “pressure valve”The West was a sort of “pressure valve”