The Mexican American War

1. The Mexican American War 1846-1848

2. Manifest Destiny • The idea that it is the mission or “destiny” of the United States to expand west.

4. Mexico Pre-War • By the early 1800’s the Northern part of Mexico (today the U.S) was not very populated. • The Mexican government had won their independence from Spain in 1821.

5. U.S Expansion West • The U.S. viewed California as a Utopia and desired the land between the Louisiana Purchase and California. • President James Polk was a supporter of expansion and would take land at any cost.

6. How the War Began • Mexico does not view the Mexican-American War as a war, they see it as an invasion. • Many American citizens lived in Mexico, specifically Texas.

7. Texas • By 1844 the U.S. citizens living in Mexico no longer wanted to live under the Mexican rule. • They did not want to be part of the U.S either. • These people called Tejanos wanted Texas to be its own country.

8. Texas • While Texas did belong to Mexico, the United States saw this as an opportunity to gain territory.

9. April 25th, 1846 • America went to war with Mexico. • The war was not a fair fight. • For 2 years Mexico and the U.S engaged in a variety of battles.

11. Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo • Signed on Feb. 2, 1848 • The United States acquired more than 500,000 square miles of valuable territory.

12. An End to the War • By Sept. of 1848 the U.S had made it to Mexico’s capital: Mexico City. • Once inside the leader of the Mexican Army, Santa Anna, no longer thought the war was worth the cost and surrendered.

13. Aftermath of the Invasion • U.S. government now believed in the superiority over the Mexican government.

14. Aftermath • Although the war ended in 1848 it had lasting effects. • During World War One the Germans tried to convince the Mexican government to go to war with the U.S. promising they would reclaim their lands. • This caused the U.S to enter WWI.