1. The War with Mexico
Chapter 9
Section 4

2. Polk Urges War
Tensions between US and Mexico were high after the US annexation of Texas
President James K. Polk hoped that war with Mexico would bring California and New Mexico into the Union as well

4. Polk Urges War Slidell’s Rejection:
1844 Polk sends John Slidell to negotiate the purchase of New Mexico and California and fix the Texas border
Mexican officials refuse to see him
Polk orders General Zachary Taylor to blockade the Rio Grande; hoping for Mexican aggression
Public opinion is split- the issue of slavery will emerge as the key issue in the Mexican debate

5. The War Begins
As Taylor marched to the Rio Grande; Polk sent men to explore Mexico’s Alta California province
Another breach of Mexico’s territory rights
Mexican gov’t had enough & sent troops across the Rio Grande; 9 US soldiers were killed
Polk used this incident to proclaim that Mexico started the war
Congress passed the declaration of war by a landslide
The US had entered into a war on foreign territory for the 1st time…..

6. The War Begins Kearny Marches West:
1846 Polk sends Colonel Stephen Kearny to march into New Mexico
He and his men marched 800 from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fe, earning the nickname “the Long Marcher”
Kearny is met by a group of upper-class Mexicans that want to be part of the US
New Mexico is taken without a single shot being fired!!!

7. The War Begins The War in Mexico: One military victory after another
US troops led by great officers such as Robert E. Lee & Ulysses S. Grant; both graduates of West Point.
American invasion lasted about one year
During which Polk made agreement with Santa Anna
Polk puts him back in power and Santa Anna will end the war
Santa Anna takes back power and turns against the US
US captures Mexico City September 14, 1847

8. America Gains the Spoils of War
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo:
Mexico agreed to the Rio Grande as the border of Texas
US pays Mexico $15 million for cession of New Mexico and California
Which gave us present day: California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona
US guaranteed Mexicans living there freedom of religion, protection of property, bilingual elections, and open borders
Gadsden Purchase:
Five yrs later another $10 million to purchase land from Mexico that established the current lower 48 state borders.

9. POP QUIZ Who was the “Long Marcher” ?
Who was president during the War with Mexico?
What treaty ended the War with Mexico?
Where did Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant graduate from?
What did the Gadsden Purchase do?