The State of Texas - 1846

Border disputes U.S. – Rio Grande River Mexico – Nueces River U.S. believed in Manifest Destiny This was the belief that America should own all the land “sea to shining sea,” from the east coast to the west. They felt it was their God Given Right… their destiny.

This painting shows Manifest Destiny as a religious belief that the United States should expand from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean in the name of God. In 1872 artist John Gast painted a popular scene of people moving west that captured the view of Americans at the time. Called "Spirit of the Frontier“, the painting portrays settlers moving west, guided and protected by a goddess-like figure of Columbia and aided by technology (railways, telegraphs), driving away Native Americans and bison in the process. It is also important to note that angel is bringing the "light" as witnessed on the eastern side of the painting as she travels towards the "darkened" west.

Manifest Destiny - belief that the U. S Manifest Destiny - belief that the U.S. had the right to all the land between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans Source: "File:U.S. Territorial Acquisitions.png." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 10 Jan 2017, 23:23 UTC.19 Jul 2017, 18:52 <https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:U.S._Territorial_Acquisitions.png&oldid=229337501>.

Election of 1844 President James K. Polk • Presidential candidate James Polk believed strongly in Manifest Destiny, and he favored annexing Oregon and Texas. annex = to add onto Sources: "File:Polkpolk.jpg." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 21 Feb 2016, 08:43 UTC.19 Jul 2017, 18:54 <https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Polkpolk.jpg&oldid=1881100 "File:Oregoncountry2.png." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 20 May 2017, 16:06 UTC.19 Jul 2017, 18:55 <https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Oregoncountry2.png&oldid=244777458>.61>. • Polk’s Presidential slogans were: “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight” and President James K. Polk “All of Oregon or None”

Video: James K. Polk and Manifest Destiny (3:16) Source: "File:Oregon boundary dispute map.PNG." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 11 Mar 2016, 19:41 UTC.19 Jul 2017, 18:59 <https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Oregon_boundary_dispute_map.PNG&oldid=190024091>.

John Slidell Slidell was sent by President Polk to make a deal with Mexico U.S. citizens had claims against Mexico for damage to their property. Slidell offered to waive those claims for Texas and all of the land west of Texas. Mexico was offended that the U.S. would expect them to give all of their land for $$$.

Mexican War – 1846-1848 President Polk sends Zachary Taylor and troops to the Nueces River and then later further south to the Rio Grande. Fighting broke out just north of the Rio Grande in 1846. Mexico invaded our territory and killed 16 Americans.

TEXAS Nueces River Rio Grande MEXICO Disputed Territory Gen. Santa Anna and the Mexican army have invaded American territory. This means war! TEXAS I think I’ll march my troops south of the Nueces River. After all, it is AMERICAN territory! Mexico has been invaded by that scoundrel, Gen. Taylor. Vamos, hombres! Ataque! Sources: "File:Texas blank map.svg." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 14 Jun 2014, 16:27 UTC.3 Aug 2017, 00:34 <https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Texas_blank_map.svg&oldid=126613064>. By Joseph Henry Bush - The White House Historical Association, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10225512 "File:Santaanna1.JPG." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 22 Jan 2016, 23:50 UTC.3 Aug 2017, 00:37 <https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Santaanna1.JPG&oldid=185364330>. Nueces River Rio Grande MEXICO

Mexican War – 1846-1848 Because Mexico had ignored all attempts to negotiate, had crossed our borders, invaded our territory, and committed hostile acts on U.S.Territory, (shed Texan blood) the U.S. declared war on May 13, 1846. General Taylor marched his army into Mexico and won at the battles of Buena Vista and Monterrey.

General Zachary Taylor, Mexican War, c. 1847 Source: "File:A little more grape Capt. Bragg"--General Taylor at the Battle of Buena Vista, Feby 23d, 1847.jpg." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 24 Apr 2017, 23:37 UTC.19 Jul 2017, 20:35 <https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:A_little_more_grape_Capt._Bragg%22--General_Taylor_at_the_Battle_of_Buena_Vista,_Feby_23d,_1847.jpg&oldid=242006606>. General Zachary Taylor, Mexican War, c. 1847

Mexican-American War: The Origins (9:22) General Winfield Scott was another general who invaded Mexico and won many battles. The war finally ended with Mexicans surrendering and the signing of a treaty that is still honored to this day. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Terms of this treaty: Firm peace between U.S. and Mexico Mexico agreed Texas is part of U.S. with border being the Rio Grande River. Mexican Cession – U.S. paid Mexico $15 million dollars for territories The U.S. agreed to respect the rights of Spanish speaking people. Mexicans in territory could give up Mexican citizenship and become U.S. citizens.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo – 1848 (Video) • Mexico recognized the Texas-Mexico border as the Rio Grande. • Mexico ceded the Mexican Cession to the United States. • Today, the Mexican Cession includes the states of CA, NV, UT, and parts of AZ, NM, CO, and WY. Gadsden Purchase The United States bought southern New Mexico and Arizona for $10 million. • The United States paid Mexico $15 million.

Results of War Mexico gave up all claims on Texas U.S. gained through Mexican Cession – California New Mexico Arizona And parts of Utah, Colorado, and Nevada Question Raised: Would new territories be open to slavery?