Mexican-American War Learning Targets I can assess the legitimacy of the Texas border dispute that led to the Mexican-American War. I can describe the role of President Polk in the Mexican- American War. I can analyze the anti-war movement that occurred during the Mexican-American War. I can analyze the outcome of the Texas Revolution and Mexican-American War from different points of view. James Polk Becomes President James Polk campaigned in 1844 as someone who favored expansion in all areas. He made Texas part of the US in He now wanted the entire southwest (which belonged to Mexico). Hes the first president with a mullet! Washington Union Explaining Polks Stance For who can arrest the torrent that will pour onward to the West? The road to California will be open to us. A corps of properly organized volunteers would invade, overrun, and occupy Mexico. They would enable us not only to take California, but to keep it. On annexing Texas as a state: On taking Mexico: Polk Starts a War To provoke Mexico, U.S. began disputing Texas border w/Mexico. Polk ordered U.S. troops to enter the disputed territory. Mexicos Borders as of 1824Disputed Areas Maps of Mexico, Texas, & the U.S. Colonel Ethan Hitchcock I have said from the first that the United States are the aggressors We have not one particle of right to be here It looks as if the government sent a small force on purpose to bring on a war, so as to have a pretext for taking California and as much of this country as it chooses My heart is not in this businessbut, as a military man, I am bound to execute orders. Anti-War Movement Abraham Lincoln opposed the war. Thought it was unjustified. Worried about slavery. That soil was not ours. It is a fact, that the United States Army, in marching to the Rio Grande, marched into a peaceful Mexican settlement, and frightened the inhabitants away from their homes and their growing crops. U.S. Wins the War (1848) U.S. troops killed 50,000 Mexicans. Mexico lost half of its original land. Damaged relations (obviously) between Mexico and U.S. The U.S. paid Mexico $15 million for the land. Oh waittheres more I know! It started in 1849, and thats why were the San Francisco 49ers. Learning Targets I can assess the legitimacy of the Texas border dispute that led to the Mexican-American War. I can describe the role of President Polk in the Mexican- American War. I can analyze the anti-war movement that occurred during the Mexican-American War. I can analyze the outcome of the Texas Revolution and Mexican-American War from different points of view.