Chapter 13: Manifest Destiny Section 3: The War with Mexico 1-3 D

White Americans saw all the lands west of the Mississippi as “unoccupied” (Even though Native Americans, Mexicans, Spanish, and Texan Tejanos lived there) They felt it was “God’s plan that America grow and expand and take over all of North America.” They called this idea Manifest Destiny 4 5 D

In 1845 the United States did admit Texas to the Union as a slave state Mexico saw this as an act of war – like the United States stole this land from them. Some people call this the Texas Annexation The United States tried to make them happy and even offered to give Mexico 25 million dollars (for Texas, California, and New Mexico) – but Mexico said NO!!! D

The United States wanted this land (it was their “destiny” to have it) So they kind of set up the Mexicans. The U.S. put some troops near the Rio Grande (in a disputed area) and the Mexicans got mad and attacked them. Well, to America this was an act of war – so a war started between Mexico and America… so it was called…. 6 D

The Mexican – American War The U.S. army won many battles and soon took control of New Mexico (without firing a shot), and then took California. One Mexican officer even said: “God must be a Yankee.” An American – usually one who lived in a northern city D

Fighting in Mexico against the Mexicans was a little tougher Fighting in Mexico against the Mexicans was a little tougher. But, eventually (on 2/2/1848) the war ended. In the Peace Treaty: (The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo): Mexico recognized Texas was now a U.S. state. The Rio Grande was the official border between U.S. and Mexico. Mexico also gave up half it’s land. This is called: the Mexican Cession The United States agreed to pay Mexico 15 million dollars. The U.S. promised to protect Mexicans who were now living in U.S. land D

This now meant: 7 D Bad for Mexico: Good for U.S.: Lost half their land – and have always been more than a little upset about that. Lost a lot of places that would have been good for their economics (farms, ranches, mines, rivers, etc.). Ended up a minority in their “new “ country Good for U.S.: Got a lot more land. These new people would be able to add to the culture and economy of the U.S. 7 D

The United States did end up buying one more part of Mexico Called the Gadsden Purchase (10 Million) for railroad land (for the transcontinental railroad) 8-9 on your own D