1. Mexican American War
How did the revolution in Texas lead to war with Mexico?
What issues led Anglo-Texans and Tejanos to seek independence from Mexico?
What compromise did the United States and Britain reach regarding the Oregon Territory?
4. What advantages did the US have in the Mexican American War?

2. Settlers in Texas Texas had rich soil and lots of unclaimed farm
Many American Settlers wanted to move there and start farms & plantations.
Mexico allowed American settlers to come as long as:
Agree to become Mexican citizens
Worship as Roman Catholic
Accept Mexican Constitution
Bann Slavery

3. Americans in Texas Stephen F. Austin led many emigrants to Texas
They established the town of Austin
Raised corn, pigs, cattle, and cotton
Did not follow Mexico’s rules
Stayed protestant
Smuggled in slaves

4. Weak Mexican Government
Mexico’s government experienced many coups
1834 General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna rose to power
Santa Anna favored centralized military run government
Texans disliked Santa Anna because they liked decentralized government like the United States

5. Revolt 1835 Texans revolted against Mexican Rule
Took control of Mexican Garrisons at Goliad and San Antonio
1836 Texans independence from Mexico “Lone Star Republic”

6. The Alamo Santa Anna led an Army into Texas to crush the rebellion
He Attacked the Army Garrison The Alamo, in San Antonio
12 days of fighting occurred until Santa Anna’s troops could get over the walls
Santa Anna ordered all the Texans inside to be executed

7. Remember The Alamo
Santa Anna hoped that the execution at The Alamo would scare the Texans into surrender
Most Texans declared the soldiers killed at The Alamo were martyrs and fought harder for independence
Texans attracted volunteers from the United States to help in their war

8. War Continues Sam Houston led Santa Anna’s troops eastward into a trap
At the battle of San Jacinto Houston’s men killed 630 men and captured 730
Santa Anna was among the captured
The Texans only faced 32 casualties

9. Texas Independence
Santa Anna feared that the Texans would have no mercy on him following The Alamo
He signed a Treaty giving Texas its Independence, and generous borders
The borders stretched to New Mexico’s capitol Santa Fe
Mexico refused to honor the boundaries since the treaty was forced by capture

10. Texas Mexico only recognized Texas under its traditional boundaries
For 10 years following the war Texas and Mexico would battle over boundaries
Sam Houston was elected Texas’ first President
He quickly asked for annexation to the United States

11. North vs. South debate
The south wanted to annex Texas because it would be a large slave state which would give slave holding southern states more power in Congress
The North did not want Texas to be added because of the power it would give the south. Plus it was a slave state which went against their beliefs
Texas continued to try for statehood for 10 years following
Houston also claimed he would join the British Empire to scare the US into accepting them

12. Election of 1844 James K. Polk Henry Clay Jacksonian Democrat
supported by the south
Slave holder
Firm believer in manifest destiny
Polk claimed that he would fight the British for Oregon so the North could have a non-slave state to off-set Texas Annexation
Henry Clay
Whig
Opposed annexation of Texas
Opposed slavery

13. Results Northerners believed Polk regarding the Oregon Territory
Polk won with 50% of the popular vote & 62% of the Electoral vote

14. The Oregon Territory
Following the Election Polk made a compromise with Britain
Divided the Oregon Territory at the 49th parallel
United States got Washington, Idaho, and Oregon
Britain kept modern day British Columbia
Northern Congressmen declared the Administration only had Southern concerns on their minds
Polk, however wanted to fight Mexico not Britain

15. Mexican Disputes
The United States finally annexed Texas a month before Polk took office
Mexico was furious, and refused to recognize the annexation
General Zachary Taylor marched troops to the border between Mexico and Texas
In May 1846 Mexican troops attacked the Americans killing 11

16. War Declared
Polk asked Congress to declare war on Mexico following the attack on American troops
“We have tried every effort at reconciliation…but now, after reiterated menaces, Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood up on the American soil.” –James K. Polk

17. Congress Dispute South North Supported the War Opposed the war
Though Polk deliberately provoked the war
Did not think Polk would settle for a big version of Texas thought they wanted New Mexico and California too
Agreed with the declaration of war because they saw what happened to the Federalist party when they opposed the War of 1812

18. The War The United States had a supreme upper hand
Larger
Wealthier
More populated
Industry able to provide weapons and ammo
Well trained officers, army, and navy
The Mexicans were divided due to Santa Anna’s return to Power

19. Major victories 1846 Stephen Kearny conquered New Mexico
U.S Navy took control of California
In 1847 Winfield Scott marched on Mexico City and Ended the Mexican American War

20. Treaty 1848 The Treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo was signed
Forced Mexico to give up 1.2 million square miles