The Mexican War

1. The Mexican War Chapter 7 Section 4 Objective 2.4 – Assess political events that contributed to sectionalism

2. The Texas Question • Since 1803, the US and Mexico had territorial disputes (US claimed Texas was part of Louisiana Purchase). • 1819— (Adams-Onis Treaty)US renounced that claim on Texas to get Florida. • Manifest destiny & gaining Mexican territory gained popularity. • Early 1840’s--President John Tyler hoped to annex Texas, but Antislavery leaders in Congress opposed it. • Texas was finally annexed into the US Feb. 1846.

3. The Election of 1844 • The Whig Party nominated Senator Henry Clay. • Democrats nominated James K. Polk over front runner Martin Van Buren. The Campaign • Polk promised to annex Texas, gain Oregon, and buy California from Mexico. • His Platform appealed to northerners & southerners (expanded country while keeping section balance). • Clay had flip flopped on the Texas annexation issue= southerner Whigs voted for a third party. • POLK WON THE ELECTION!!

4. Claims to Oregon • During Polk’s election campaign the motto was “Fifty-four Forty or Fight”. • The US would demand all of Oregon to the 54-40 north latitude. • The 1846 Oregon Treaty —the US received all of Oregon to 49 north latitude.

5. “Fifty-four forty or Fight”

6. Mexican Anger Over Texas Annexation When the US annexed Texas: • Mexico was outraged • Withdrew diplomatic relations with US • Disputes worsened when arguments about the border between Texas & Mexico broke out. • November 1845—President Polk sent American John Slidell to negotiate with Mexico to purchase California. • Mexico refused to meet with Slidell.

7. Disputed Border of Texas & Mexico

8. Mexican War • 1846- Polk sent Gen. Zachary Taylor to provoke a fight- US troops crossed the Nueces's River • May 1846- news arrived that Mexican forces had attacked US troops. • Congress declared war on Mexico • Whigs opposed – another plot to extend slavery

9. War Strategy • Taylor to go past Rio Grande into Mexico • Easily defeated Santa Anna at Palo Alto then Resaca de la Palma • Separate force to capture Santa Fe • an important trading post • Colonel Stephen Kearny • Navy to help take California • General John C. Fremont • Uprising of settlers – declared California to be independent • Renamed Bear Flag Republic • Forces then to advance to Mexico City & force a surrender

10. War Movements

11. Who is the general in charge for the US? • John Slidell • Zachary Taylor • John Sutton • William Travis

12. To Mexico City • Troops sent to Veracruz to march west to Mexico City • Polk replaces Taylor for fear Taylor’s popularity would defeat him in the Election of 1848 • General Winfield Scott -placed in charge • Scott captures Mexico City – September 14, 1847

13. **Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo • February 2, 1848 • Mexico ceded Texas, California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona & parts of Wyoming & Colorado • 500,000 square miles • Accepted Rio Grande as border • US paid Mexico $15 million & took over Mexican debts ($3.25 million) owed to American citizens • Promised US citizenship to Mexicans living in these territories

14. Land ceded to the US by Treaty of Hidalgo

15. Who first purported the idea of Manifest Destiny? • John Slidell • John Sutton • John Louis O’Sullivan • Joseph Smith