Texas and the Mexican-American War

Chapter 9 Section 2

Review Quiz:

• 1) What is Manifest Destiny? • 2) What is one cause (idea or real) of Manifest

Destiny? • 3) What is the Oregon Trail?

I) TEXAS INDEPENDENCE

A) Americans in Mexico

• Americans moved into Texas– Became known as Texans

• M. allows them to settle there if they agree to become M. citizens

• In 1835 there were 30,000 Texans in Texas– Outnumbered Mexicans 6 to 1.

B) Causes of Texas Independence:

• Racism: – Neither side tries to understand the other

• Cultural differences:– Catholics v. Protestants– Spanish v. English

B) Causes of Texas Independence:

• Slavery:– M outlawed slavery– Texans kept bringing them in

• Government:– M. central gov’t v. Texas state gov’t

• 1836: Texas declared independence from Mexico

C) The Alamo:

• M. General Santa Anna • Attacks the Alamo– A fortified mission in San Antonio

• After 12 days of resisting Santa Anna captured the Alamo– Executes all the survivors– The Texans became martyrs

General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna:

Davey Crockett’s Last Stand

D) Sam Houston:

• “Remember the Alamo” becomes a rallying cry• Sam Houston and the Texans set a trap for Santa

Anna at San Jacinto– Killed 630 Mexicans– 32 Texans die

• Afraid of being killed, Santa Anna signs a peace treaty – The Treaty of Velasco:

• Recognizes Texan Independence• Increases the size of Texas to include parts of Mexico and New

Mexico

Sam Houston:

Disputed Territory after the Treaty of Velasco:

E) Border War:

• M. refuses to honor the treaty signed by Santa Anna– Only recognize the traditional Texas

• A border war continues for a decade

II. THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR:

• Why was the land disputed? – Treaty of Velasco signed by Santa Anna and not

honored by the Mexican gov’t.

A) Annexation:

• Sam Houston becomes President of the Texas Republic

• Asked the U.S. for annexation. – To be added to another group

• The Northerners oppose adding Texas, based on:

• Remains an independent country until 1845• M. views this as an act of war.

Slavery

Annexation of Texas:

B) Causes Leading to War:

• M. angry over annexation of Texas• Dispute over Texas/Mexican border• Instability of Mexican government– 19 governments in 25 years

• Polk Administration’s drive to expand U.S. – Polk saw his job as creating a coast-to-coast nation– Manifest Destiny

B) Causes Leading to War:

• Polk sends John Slidell (diplomat) to try and buy the land from M. –$5 million for New Mexico–$25 million for California

• Strong anti-U.S. sentiment means M. won’t accept

• U.S. General Zachary Taylor crossed the Nueces River in March 1846 and war begins

C) War!

• American Advantages:– Larger population– Wealthier– Larger navy– Better weapons– An industry to quickly supply war supplies to troops– West Point = Good generals and officers• Including Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, and William T.

Sherman

C) War!

• Santa Anna has resumed his dictatorship in M. – M. divided

• America easily wins every major battle.• General Stephen W. Kearny captures New

Mexico in the summer of 1846• U.S. Navy, explorer John C. Fremont and

settlers capture California• In September Taylor captures Monterrey

General Kearny John C. Fremont

The Battle of Monterrey:

C) War!

• In February 1847, Santa Anna was defeated by a smaller army lead by Taylor at the bloody battle of Buena Vista.

• The American army has achieved all of President Polk’s pre-war goals. – Fueled by Manifest Destiny Polk wanted more

• General Scott and the U.S. Navy attacked Veracruz• Then marches to Mexico City and captures it in

March 1847.

The Battle of Veracruz:

General Scott Enters Mexico City:

General Scott Enters Mexico City:

D) Aftermath:

• A war of defense had became a war of conquest• Critics said Manifest Destiny meant only conquering

“empty land” not land where people already live• Three barriers to Manifest Destiny and conquering

M.: – Northern liberals hated conquest– Slavery question– Racism – could the U.S. really incorporate all the 8

million Mexican and Indians?

E) Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo:

• Annexed half of Mexico to the U.S. – Texas, New Mexico and California

• Created Rio Grande as international border• U.S. Paid $15 million to Mexico for territory.

Homework:

• Chapter 9 Section 1: #1, 2, 4, 6