Section 3 – War with Mexico

Texas continued to be an area of dispute Pres. John Tyler wanted Texas to be annexed as a slave state.

There were many people living in Texas that owned slaves already. John Tyler thought that by making Texas a slave state it would help

him get elected for a second term. He was very wrong. James K Polk – elected in 1844; promised to annex TX and OR TX joined the union in 1845; 9 years after independence

James K Polk Won the Election of 1844

James K Polk

Democrat From Tennessee Promised to annex

Texas and Oregon into the Union.

Texas-Slave Oregon-Free This would balance out

the Union.

James K Polk

He was a strong supporter of Manifest Destiny and campaigned on his support for westward expansion.

Whig candidates, Henry Clay and

Theodore FrelinghuysenDemocrat candidates James Polk and

George Mifflin Dallas

Vowed to serve only one term

At 49, youngest president at that time

Listed four goals for his presidency

The first goal was the re-establishment of the Independent Treasury System

Second, tariff reductions

Third, he wanted to settle the Oregon boundary dispute with Great Britain

Fourth, he wanted to purchase California from Mexico Polk’s Cabinet: 1845

Polk was called “Young Hickory” after President

Jackson

President James K. Polk

What about Oregon?

The British still felt as if they had claims to the Oregon country. Polk said, “the United States has clear and unquestionable right

to it.” Polk’s supporters said “FIFTY-FOUR FORTY OF FIGHT” Saying that Americans get all of Oregon from the 54 and 40

latitude line. 1846 America and Britain had a compromise. We got Oregon

from the 49 North latitude. Everything but Vancouver Island.

The Oregon Dispute: The Oregon Dispute: 54’ 54’ 40º or Fight!40º or Fight!The Oregon Dispute: The Oregon Dispute: 54’ 54’ 40º or Fight!40º or Fight!

By the mid-1840s,“Oregon Fever” wasspurred on by thepromise of free land.

By the mid-1840s,“Oregon Fever” wasspurred on by thepromise of free land.

The joint British-U. S.occupation ended in1846.

The joint British-U. S.occupation ended in1846.

President Polk wanted control of the Oregon Territory and was willing to go to war with Britain. “54º40' or

fight” was his position. The Oregon dispute was settled peacefully on the 49° in the Treaty of Oregon in 1846.

What the U.S. wanted

What the U.S. and Britain agreed on

What Britain wanted

War with Mexico

Mexico broke relation with the US; had never recognized TX independence

Boundaries were also disputed by US and Mexico

Polk sent John Slidell as an envoy, or representative, to Mexico City to purchase California. The Mexican president, Jose Joaquin Herrera, would not even meet with him.

The Mexican American War, 1846-1848

The Mexican-American War

The Mexican-American War was the first major conflict driven by the idea of "Manifest Destiny"; the belief that America had a God-given right, or destiny, to expand the country's borders from 'sea to shining sea'.

This belief would eventually cause a great deal of suffering for many Mexicans, Native Americans and United States citizens.

Following the earlier Texas War of Independence from Mexico, tensions between the two largest independent nations on the North American continent grew as Texas eventually became a U.S. state.

John Slidell

Jose Joaquin Herrera

The war with Mexico sparked sectional conflict

The war was the ultimate extension of Manifest Destiny: the belief that Americans had a God given destiny to take over the

entire North American continent.

Battle of Churubusco

August 20, 1847

The Mexican-American war was the first war where news about the fighting could be transmitted quickly through the use of the new

telegraph.

Samuel F.B. Morse came up with the idea of a communications system using the electro-magnet and a series of relays through a

network of telegraph stations. In order to transmit messages in this system, he invented Morse Code, an alphabet of electronic dots

and dashes. The system made communication across the country much faster than ever before.

Telegraph

War for

War with Mexico

Polk wanted Mexico to fire the first shot; sent troops across the Nueces River.

He sent Gen. Zachary Taylor. May 9th 1846, Word got back that a group of

Mexican soldiers had attacked. US was at war “by the act of Mexico herself”

Gen. Zachary Taylor

War with Mexico

Congress called for 50,000 volunteers to fight; 73,000 volunteers came to help fight.

General Zachary Taylor led US troops; very successful. They were successful even though the troop were unruly.

June 1846 – California declared independence from Mexico; named itself Bear Flag Republic

Palo Alto

First Battle of the War was in Palo Alto. Taylor won very easy. Moved on to fight Resaca de la Palma.

By late September1846 Taylor had captured Monterrey.

The Bombardment of Vera The Bombardment of Vera CruzCruzThe Bombardment of Vera The Bombardment of Vera CruzCruz

John C. Fremont

Led American settlers in California to help fight against the Mexican Army.

The Bear Flag RepublicThe Bear Flag RepublicThe Bear Flag RepublicThe Bear Flag Republic

John C. FrémontJohn C.

Frémont

The Revolt June 14, 1845

The Revolt June 14, 1845

Bear Flag Republic

“Bear flag revolt” on June 14, 1846John Fremont launched a revolution to free California from

Mexican control and establish a republic. In less than a month, the territory was independent. When news of the

Mexican American War reached California, the goal became statehood. It later became a state in 1850.

California state flag

The Battle of Cerro Gordo, or Battle of Sierra Gordo April 18, 1847 The Mexicans- lost 1,000 killed and wounded with

an additional 3,000 men taken prisoner. United States casualties comprised 64 killed and

353 wounded. General Santa Anna, caught off guard by the Fourth

Regiment of the Illinois Volunteer Infantry, was compelled to ride off without his artificial leg, which was captured and is still on display at the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield, Illinois.

Winfield Scott-US General Santa Anna- Mexican General There were five U.S. Officers in Scott's Corp of engineers who

were of significant historical interest. Captain Robert E. Lee Captain George B. McClellan Captain Joseph E. Johnston Lieutenant John G. Foster Lieutenant P. G. T. Beauregard. All of these men were huge names during the American Civil

War.

The Battle of Cerro Gordo

This battle has been called "the Battle of Thermopylae of the West", because the use of terrain was similar to the maneuver that the Persians used to eventually defeat the Greeks.

Marched to Mexico City

Led by Winfield Scott Landed in Veracruz. Sept. 14th 1847 to

control of Mexico City.

Monterey

Vera Cruz

Buena Vista

California

Only lasted a few weeks; US claimed the territory

Mexico’s leaders refused to surrender

Sept. 14th 1847 – US troops captured Mexico City

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo – ended the war with Mexico

General Scott Enters Mexico General Scott Enters Mexico CityCityGeneral Scott Enters Mexico General Scott Enters Mexico CityCity

“Old Fuss and Feathers”

“Old Fuss and Feathers”

Mexico City

The war was fought in northern and central Mexico in many different battles. Although the Mexican army had several victories, the U.S. dominated in the end, captured Mexico City,

and forced the Mexicans to surrender.

Treaty of Guadalupe-Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848Hidalgo, 1848Treaty of Guadalupe-Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848Hidalgo, 1848

Nicholas Trist,American

Negotiator

Nicholas Trist,American

Negotiator

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo – ended the war with Mexico

Treaty of Hidalgo

Mexico ceded over 500,000 square miles of land to the USA.

Land that is now CA, UT, NV; parts of NM, AZ, CO, and WY.

Rio Grande was now the southern border of TX; US paid them $15 million

Manifest Destiny was achieved; US stretched ocean to ocean.

Treaty of Guadalupe-Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848Hidalgo, 1848Treaty of Guadalupe-Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848Hidalgo, 1848

Mexico gave up claims to Texas above the Rio Grande River.

Mexico gave the U. S. California and New Mexico.

U. S. gave Mexico $15,000,000 and agreed to pay the claims of American citizens against Mexico(over $3,500,000).

Mexico gave up claims to Texas above the Rio Grande River.

Mexico gave the U. S. California and New Mexico.

U. S. gave Mexico $15,000,000 and agreed to pay the claims of American citizens against Mexico(over $3,500,000).

The Treaty was basically forced on Mexico!

Future president General Zachary

Taylor “Old Rough and Ready”

commander of U.S. forces in northern

Mexico

Future president Ulysses S. Grant

fought in the capture of Mexico

City

The war proved to be a training ground for future Civil War soldiers. Three later

presidents also served in the war.

Future president Franklin Pierce, after serving in

Congress volunteered to fight

in Mexico City

Results of the Mexican Results of the Mexican War?War?Results of the Mexican Results of the Mexican War?War?1. New territories were brought into the Union

which forced the explosive issue of SLAVERY to the center of national politics. * Brought in 1 million sq. mi. of land (incl. TX)

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

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

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

5. Manifest Destiny partially realized.

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

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

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

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

5. Manifest Destiny partially realized.

1.525,000 square miles of new territory was added.

2.The Americans suffered heavy losses; the nearly 13,000 dead included only about 1,700 in combat—the rest fell to disease.

3. The war was a proving ground for young military officers (Grant, Jackson, Lee, Meade, Sherman, for example) who would soon put their skills to work against each other in the American Civil War.

4. It led to political problems over the extension of slavery that resulted in the Civil War 13 years later.

5.The U.S. became a Pacific power.

6.The expansion plans of Britain, Russia and France on the North American continent were thwarted.

Impact of the war on the United States

1840

1850

The U.S. in 1840, prior to Polk’s

presidency

The U.S. in 1850, after

Polk’s presidency

Westward the Course of Westward the Course of EmpireEmpireEmmanuel Leutze, 1860Emmanuel Leutze, 1860

Westward the Course of Westward the Course of EmpireEmpireEmmanuel Leutze, 1860Emmanuel Leutze, 1860

Portrait of Leutze by his friend William Morris Hunt, ca. 1845

Expansionist Young America in Expansionist Young America in the 1850sthe 1850sExpansionist Young America in Expansionist Young America in the 1850sthe 1850s

America’s Attempted Raids into Latin America

America’s Attempted Raids into Latin America