The Mexican-American War by Dr. Chris Morton

1. Quill and Musket Guest Lecturer Series The Mexican-American Warby Dr. Chris Morton

2. Mexican War Onset 1. Idea of “Manifest Destiny” = we want TX, NM, AZ, CA – expansion to the Pacific 2. Pressure on Washington to annex further territory, especially after Texas gains her independence in 1836. 3. US will refuse until 1845, primarily due to the balance of power in the Senate between free and slave states. 4. Issue between Mexico and the new American state comes to a head in 1846 over disputed territory – Texas (and thus the US) claims border to Rio Grande River, but Mexico says border is the Nueces River. (Next slide shows the significant disputed area) a. President Polk contrives an event to lead to war. Sends General Zachary Taylor into the disputed territory where he is attacked. - Now the US can claim that the Mexican Army attacked American troops in American territory - Though Mexico claims the attack was made because the American troops invaded Mexican Territory - Either way, the war begins

4. General Zachary Taylor

5. American National Strategy 1. Blockade Mexican coast 2. Seize territory west of Texas and keep as much as possible 3. President Polk a. First example of PREWAR strategic planning – had contingency plans six months before the battle in the disputed territory b. Exercised tight control over every aspect of the war c. Established the White House, not Congress, as the center of wartime control

6. President James Polk

7. Events of 1846 1. Zachary Taylor “Old Ruff and Ready” Campaigns: Palo Alto, Resaca de Palma, Monterrey (fall ‘46) All victories against a larger enemy, goes to Saltillo 2. John C. Fremont leads “Bear Flag Revolt” near San Francisco 3. These victories stun the Mexicans who believed they would win: Felt the US would be divided over the slavery issue Felt the US was politically and militarily weak Thought they would get European aid 4. Despite success in 1846, Mexico refused to agree to terms. The victories and capture of Monterrey not enough, must seize Mexico City

8. Events of 1847 1. Amphibious landing at Vera Cruz Designed to force Mexico to the negotiating table Largest in history to that point 10,000 men & 74 special landing boats 2. General Winfield Scott- overland march to Mexico City Campaign for 18 months, seizes capitol at Mexico City 3. One of the greatest military campaigns in history Cut himself off from logistics train Did not have manpower to guard supply line, so army had to be self-sustaining Faced a larger army in foreign territory Yet, manages to take their capital

9. General Winfield Scott

10. The Largest U.S. Amphibious Landing Until WWII

11. Landing at Veracruz

12. Storming of Chapultepec

13. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1. US acquires most of southwest: CA, NV, UT, AZ, NM, UT, CO, WY [500,000 square miles at a cost of $0.48 per acre] a. Large percentage of this land lies SOUTH of the Missouri Compromise line 2. Reintroduces slavery issue into forefront of American politics 3. Gold discovered in California 24 Jan 1848

15. How This War Leads to the Civil War 1. Will this newly acquired territory become slave or free? = Directly leads to THE CIVIL WAR! 2. Wilmot Proviso (1846) Slavery outlawed in all territory gained from Mexico – Proposal Would not destroy slavery, but not allow it to expand Defeated in the Senate, where the South had political power 3. Compromise of 1850 Popular sovereignty in NM and Utah territories Postpones crisis for 11 years 4. Issue of expansion of slavery and southern fear of northern aggression will build until the election of Abraham Lincoln convinces the Southerners that the government no longer represents them.