Mexican-American War Text Talk “The USA will conquer  Mexico, but it will be as the man swallows arsenic…Mexico will poison us.” Ralph Waldo Emerson 1846

Day 91+92 Objectives Chronicle the USA’s expansion through the west under Polk’s Presidency Evaluate the causes of the Mexican-American War Analyze the effects of Westward expansion on the United States by 1848

“I’ll give you one term…” 1. James K. Polk “I’ll give you one term…” 1844 Democratic National Conv is split… Unpopular frontrunner was Van Buren Polk = Dark Horse Someone helps advise Polk on how to get the nomination Polk after being picked… Jackson! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9SvJMZs5Rs

c. Polk’s 1-Term Goals Annex Texas (it is still its own country) Reach Settlement on Oregon Territory w/GB “Obtain” California Economic stuff c. Polk’s 1-Term Goals

b. 

America was in favor of… b. Why Did Polk Beat Clay? Let’s Do it! Ehhhh. I’m not sure. America was in favor of… Expansion!! Manifest Destiny!!

c. Polk’s 1-Term Goals Annex Texas (it is still its own country) Reach Settlement on Oregon Territory w/GB “Obtain” California Economic stuff c. Polk’s 1-Term Goals

Why did Texas want in the USA so badly?

Tyler & Congress annex Texas…Feb 1845 Who is Lots of “What ifs”

USA on the “playground” Polk picks the easier fight…Mexico Missouri Senator Thomas Benton asked why the USA won’t go after Canada as resolutely as Mexico… “…because Great Britain is powerful, and Mexico is weak.” GB Mexico  USA on the “playground”

2. Oregon Dispute 1846 Dispute w/GB “54-40 or Fight!” means  Some in USA wanted war if it didn’t get 54° 40' latitude line Does Polk “fight?” No…makes a deal for 49th Parallel in 1846

1846-1848 Mexican-American War

a. 2 Causes for the War USA wants… Mexico still bitter about… Port of San Fran! Mexico still bitter about…

Polk tries two tactics to get California

Polk first tries to buy California How much do you offer? $25 mil

Tactic #2 General Zachary Taylor and 4K troops ordered to go up to Rio Grande…why? What can we claim now? When have we done something like this before?

c.iii. War Begins April 25, 1846, Mexican troops cross the Rio Grande and fire on General Taylor’s army. May 13, 1846, the USA declares war on Mexico. (who declares war?)

iv. Contoversy with the spark Upon the pretext that Texas, a nation as independent as [Mexico], thought proper to unite its destinies with our own [Mexico] has affected to believe that we have severed her rightful territory, and in official proclamations and manifestoes has repeatedly threatened to make war upon us for the purpose of reconquering Texas. In the meantime we have tried every effort at reconciliation. The cup of forbearance had been exhausted even before the recent information from the frontier of the [Rio Grande]. But now, after reiterated menaces, Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have commenced, and that the two nations are now at war. As war exists, and, notwithstanding all our efforts to avoid it, exists by the act of Mexico herself, we are called upon by every consideration of duty and patriotism to vindicate with decision the honor, the rights, and the interests of our country. - James K. Polk 1846 Address to Congress

…And whereas this House is desirous to obtain a full knowledge of all the facts which go to establish whether the particular spot on which the blood of our citizens was so shed was or was not at that time our own soil: Therefore, Resolved By the House of Representatives, that the President of the United States be respectfully requested to inform this House --   1st. Whether the spot on which the blood of our citizens was shed, as in his messages declared, was or was not within the territory of Spain, at least after the treaty of 1819, until the Mexican revolution.  2d. Whether that spot is or is not within the territory which was wrested from Spain by the revolutionary Government of Mexico…. - Abraham Lincoln Speech before the House of Representatives…December 22, 1847 “Spotty Lincoln”

Mexico calls this war… War of North American Invasion

d. USA wins the war

e. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the war February 1848 You are Polk…what are your demands (terms) when you sit at the bargaining table?

e. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1. USA gains 4. Property rights & safety of those in this territory must be preserved (?) 3. USA pays $18mil for land & debts owed to Mexico 2. Rio Grande is  the border

2. Beyond Polk’s Presidency…1853 USA makes the Gadsden Purchase for $10 mil

Why do you need it?

b. Mexican American War Effects “The United States will conquer Mexico, but it will be as the man swallows arsenic… Mexico will poison us.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

b. Wilmot Proviso…1846, 1847, 1848 Introduced 3 times by Congressman David Wilmot (Dem) of PA... What did it say? Passed the House every time but not the Senate… why? Must be Free States

Opening Question Title = Why people move What are some reasons people leave certain places in the USA and go to others? What pushes and pulls people to certain places? Where do you want to move to? Why? Opening Question

Push & Pull Factors  Push Factor Pull Factor Reasons to leave the place you currently live in Pull Factor Reasons that make you want to migrate to a new location What were the reasons back then? They haven’t changed much!!

1840-1850…A few trails to take

OR CA CA CA CA CA CA OR OR CA OR Who goes where? CA OR OR CA CA CA CA Missionary Thief Chinese Immigrant South American Immigrant Free Black Slave Doctor Fur Traders Frontiersman Single Man Family Man Denim Salesman Loggers Farmer “Indian Hunters” Saloon owner Single woman Launderer Vigilante Australian Immigrant OR CA CA CA CA CA CA OR OR CA OR Who goes where? CA OR OR CA CA CA CA CA CA CA

Oregon Less populated Indians wiped out by disease Difficult “Oregon Trail” Indians wiped out by disease Frontiersmen “blend in”

California Gold Discovered in 1848… who comes next? Population swings Indians slaughtered and enslaved California

49ers Early Birds cashed in Gold Rush Songs… Oh Sussanna Oh my Darling, Clementine