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WAR WITH MEXICO
Chapter 9, Section 3
The Annexation of Texas
Many southerners supported annexation because Texas allowed slavery Admitting Texas to the Union as a slave state
would boost the South’s political power Other Americans had doubts about admitting
Texas as a state Concerned that US would have to bear Texas
debt Annexation would spread slavery westward Constitution said nothing about admitting
an independent nation to the US
The Annexation of Texas
Texas remained a republic for nine years James K. Polk won the in 1844 and wanted
annexation Mexico warned the US that if it annexed
Texas it would consider it a declaration of war against Mexico
March 1845 – Congress passed resolution annexing Texas to the United States Texas became a part of the US on December
29,1845
Tensions between the US and Mexico
Mexico was furious about Texas annexation Mexico still felt like Texas had been unfairly
taken from it by foreigners during the Texas Revolution
Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with the US after Texas annexation
Polk and Manifest Destiny
March 1845 – Polk becomes president
Enthusiastic supporter of national expansion Wanted the land
between Texas and the Pacific Ocean
However, New Mexico and California belonged to Mexico
Polk thought they should become part of the US
The Boundary Dispute
Boundary dispute between Mexico and Texas Mexico believed it was at the
Nueces River US believed it was at the Rio
Grande Another dispute was
over money US said Mexico owed US $3
million for the loss of property and life during Mexico’s fight for independence against Spain
Slidell’s Trip
Polk sent a special messenger to Mexico John Slidell arrived with a US offer to cancel
the $3 million claims against Mexico in exchange for Mexico’s recognition of the Rio Grande as the boundary
He was authorized to pay Mexico up to $30 million for New Mexico and California
No one would consent to meet with Slidell He recommended to Polk that Mexico be
punished
The Mexican-American War
Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to advance into the disputed territory between Nueces River and Rio Grande Led to a small skirmish
Polk used this event to request that Congress declare war on Mexico
US declared war on Mexico on May 13, 1846
Fighting the War
General Stephen Kearny Took New Mexico quickly California – small group of Americans
revolted and forced Mexican leader to sign treaty (Became known as Bear Flag Revolt)
June 14, 1846 – Americans declared independent Republic of California (US took control about a month later)
In a matter of months, the US had control of New Mexico, California and Mexico’s capital (Mexico City)
Results of the War
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Ended the Mexican-
American War Mexico turned over to
the US the Mexican Cession
US paid Mexico $15 million
1853 – Gadsden Purchase-clarified the treaty boundary and transferred even more land to the U.S.