The War with Mexico Chapter 13 sec. 3

James K. Polk elected president in 1844 committed to national expansion – annexation of Texas – control of Oregon

Americans support Manifest Destiny western lands were viewed by white settlers as unoccupied – Mexico occupied southwest lands – Oregon Territory shared w/ Britain many Americans believed the U.S. was destined to stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific expansion was seen not only as good but as inevitable – Manifest Destiny Polk’s slogan “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!!” – northern border of shared Oregon territory – 1846 settled for half and border set at 49th parallel

Troubles with Mexico 1845 congress admits Texas as a slave state Mexico still claims Texas, views annexation as an act of war Texas and Mexico never agreed on a border between them – Texas said it was the Rio Grande – Mexico said it was the Nueces River

A War Begins Polk sends troops into the disputed zone the Mexican army attacks an American patrol and kills or wounds 16 soldiers Polk sends a message to Congress indicating Mexico invaded the United States Congress declares war

Mixed Feelings volunteers, mostly from western states rushed to enlist some questioned the truthfulness of the president’s message Northeasterners questioned the justice of men dying in such a war slavery became an issue – Southerners saw it as a way to extend slavery and increase their power – abolitionists introduced a bill to prohibit slavery in lands taken from Mexico

Capturing New Mexico and California General Steven Kearny led troops from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to occupy New Mexico – land taken by persuasion rather than force – continued on to California Bear Flag Revolt – California rebelled against Mexico – captured the Mexican commander of California and raised crude flag – declared California the Republic of California – US troops reached California and the Americans controlled all of California

The Invasion of Mexico far more difficult that previous campaigns – Mexican army was much larger that US army US invaded from two directions – Battle of Buena Vista Taylor moved south from Texas and met Santa Anna on the way US victory meant the end of the war in Northern Mexico – Battle for Mexico City Winfield Scott battled inland from Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico met resistance outside the capital Mexico City fell in September 1847

Mexican Cession war ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo – Texas was part of the United States – border was the Rio Grande – Mexico gave up the Mexican Cession present day states of California, Nevada, Utah most of Arizona parts of New Mexico Colorado, and Wyoming US paid Mexico $15 million and would pay $3.25 million of claims US citizens had against Mexico US promised to protect Mexicans living in Texas and the Mexican session

Mexican Cession Mexicans living in the United States saw things differently – minority in a nation with a strange language, culture, and legal system – would make important contributions to their new country taught new settlers farming, ranching, and mining rich new culture resulted from the blend

Gadsden Purchase last bit of land added to the United States strip of Southern New Mexico and Arizona purchased from Mexico in 1853 for $10 million