Mexican American War

 Over the course of this year we have talked, discussed and worked on many issues related to the history of our country.  The first thing we talked about was your responsibility as a student. I believe that all students can learn. However, not all students want to learn.  It became evident throughout the course of the year which category you belong too.  Education is about learning, it is about maturity and it is about responsibility.  You have to want to learn, in order to be able to learn.  As I have stated many times you have to learn how to learn.  Learning is also very competitive, it is about the Common Core standards that you must embrace: Critical reading, critical writing and critical thinking.  Some of you have not grasped hold of that concept and want to stay in your comfort zone and without really challenging yourself. Society and the job market is changing, so must you!

Mexican American War

The Columbian Exchange is the movement of plants, animals, and diseases between the Eastern and Western hemispheres.

Mexican American War

Washington, Adams, Jefferson The Great Awakening The Enlightenment Urban Growth Colonial Immigration The Slave Industry Colonial Economics The French and Indian War Self Determinationism British Imperialism The Rule of LAw The Declaration of Independence The Revolutionary War Articles of Confederation The Constitution Regionalism The War of 1812 Nationalism, Sectionalism The Industrial revolution

Mexican American War  We have covered a lot of information over many thousands of years of world history and a few hundred years of American History  So this brings us to a point in time where we must examine the continual westward expansion of the United States.  In 1815 the United States signed the Treaty of Ghent to end the hostilities with England.  Although there was no apparent winner in the War of 1812, a mood of nationalism spread throughout the United States.  In 1817 the election of James Monroe, ushered in the Era of Good Feelings. The Federalist Party had collapsed and there was finally political unity in the country.  As well, there was a continual expansionist fever in the country. John Quincy Adams, Secretary of State under Monroe sought to expand the borders of the US from Coast to Coast.

Mexican American War  However, as we has seen, that while the Northern economy and lifestyle was booming, there was a strong animosity of sectionalism growing in the South.  The South saw the Northern politicians as trying to control the economy and their way of life.  The very institution of slavery was being challenged by the moral abolitionists in the North. The South could not and would not allow such a thing to happen.  The North pushed more and more, starting with Henry Clay’s American System which strongly benefited the North.  This was the culture of the time; the North growing expanding seeking economic control.  The South was protective and cautious about the Northern motives and South wanted to maintain their way of life.

Mexican American War  As American began to push farther West, many families ended up in Texas.  In time, many families living in Texas became frustrated with the Mexican laws. On the behalf of the Americans living in Mexico, Stephen Austin approached the Mexican government requesting them to ease up on the restrictions.  When it became apparent that Mexico would not agree, Austin encouraged the people to break away from Mexico and seek independence.  As Mexico sought to protect their interest in Texas, the government sent Santa Anna and some 6,000 troops into San Antonio to reclaim their land. Subsequently there was a big battle called the Alamo in which the American families lost their lives at the Battle of the Alamo.  It was then that the people of Texas realized they would have to fight for their independence.  Eventually the American troops led by Sam Houston overcame the Mexican army and in 1836, Texas declared Independence.

Mexican American War  Even as they gained their Independence, Texans sought to be annexed into the United States.  There was immediate concern from the North regarding Texas being admitted as a slave state.  In wasn’t until 1845 that Congress ratified Texas’ request to join the United States.  This obviously did not go well with Mexico, since Texas had been a part of Mexico and it was the United States that helped the Texans gain their independence and now Texas would join the US.  In addition, there was further conflict between Texas, Mexico and the Unites States over the actual boundary. Texas claimed the Rio Grande River was the southern boundary, yet Mexico stated it was the Nueces River. Mexico also states they would fight to defend their claim.  The President at that time was James Polk, he sought to push the issue and stationed Zachary Taylor and about 3500 troops just north of the Rio Grande.  Of course a Mexican unit crossed over the River and attacked which led to war.

Mexican American War  After fighting for 10 months American troops attacked Mexico from two directions. Zachary Taylor and his 4800 troops pushed forward into Mexico and eventually overcame Santa Anna and his 15,000 troops.  In February 1847 the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed  The loss was a bitter defeat. Many Mexicans felt that the United States had provoked the war in the hope of gaining Mexican territory.  In this treaty Mexico Recognized that Texas was part of the United States Agreed to the Rio Grande as the border between the two nations Gave up a vast region known as the Mexican cession— including Texas— amounting to almost one-half of present-day Mexico  In return the United States promised to protect the 80,000 Mexicans living in Texas and the Mexican cession. Some Mexicans, however, saw themselves as minorities in a nation with a strange language, culture, and legal system.

Mexican American War  In conclusion there were various effects due to the Mexican-American War.  The U.S., both benefited and were hurt by the outcome of the war.  On one end, it gained massive amounts of territory before the reception of the territory.  On the other end, the aftermath of the war led to the disruptions in Congress and the buildup of hatred between the North and South for each had a specific stance when it came to the problem/practice of slavery.  Mexico, on the other side, suffered horribly by the outcome of the war  Not only did it lose a vast amount of territory, but it also lost much of its governmental stability due to the political uprisings that took place after the war.  Angered by U.S. imperialism and territorial ideology, Mexico no longer believed in anything the U.S. did or said.