1. Mexican-American War CAUSES
Mexico was furious when they lost Texas and the republic was added to the United States
Mexican government at time was unstable
Current president Polk desired to continue expanding out West (manifest destiny)

2. The U. S. and Texas considered the Rio Grande as the Southern border
The U.S. and Texas considered the Rio Grande as the Southern border. For Mexico it was the Nueces
Area in Dispute
Nueces River
8.6 D  The students will explain the major issues and events of the Mexican War and their impact on the United States
Rio Grande River

3. Attempts at Peace
Polk sent John Slidell to attempt to purchase California and New Mexico and confirm Rio Grande border
Mexican officials refuse to receive him
Polk sends Zachary Taylor to blockade river at Rio Grande (Mexicans see as violation)

4. American attitudes toward war
Support: expansion would extend slavery and increase southern power Against: expansion would be fatal to the nation (mainly northerners)

5. Violations 1- Taylor at Rio Grande
2- John C. Fremont led exploration through California
Mexico FURIOUS!
Sends troops to Rio Grande and kills 9 US soldiers
“American blood upon American soil”
Abraham Lincoln cautious about war

6. America enters WAR
Polk only presented information that would convince war was necessary
Unknown what happened at Rio Grande

7. New Mexico Stephen Kearny marches to Santa Fe, New Mexico
Met by Mexicans who want to join the US
New Mexico added to Union without any fight

8. California Rebels proclaim independence from Mexico
“Republic of California”
Us takes over California

9. War rages on Mexican army : poor leadership
US: Robert E. Lee, Ulysses Grant- nations best leaders

10. Santa Anna Previously ousted as president in Mexico
Polk says he will help him get back into Mexico and in return Santa Anna will end war and meditate border dispute
Santa Anna resumed presidency and attacks US forces
Winfield Scott (US) attacks back
Army did not lose a single battle

11. Effects of War Mexico- 25,000 casualties
US- 13,000 casualties (11,000 from disease)
Enlarged US by 1/3

12. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
2/2/1848- Treaty is signed
Agreed to Rio Grande border
Ceded New Mexico and California
$15 million for Mexican Cession:
California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming
Gave Mexicans living in gained territories freedom of religion, open borders and protections of property

13. Gadsden Purchase Established current borders of lower states
President Franklin Pierce
$ 10 million

14. 1848 Election Democrats- Lewis Cass Democrats-Martin Van Buren
(Free- Soil Party: prohibit slavery)
Whig- Zachary Taylor
TAYLOR WINS!

15. Gold Rush January 1848: gold discovered in Sierra Nevadas (California)
1848: 400 travel to California
1850: 44,000 travel to California
“Forty-niners” those who flocked in 1849 for the gold rush (from Asia, S. America, Europe)

16. Effect of Gold Rush Brought diversity (Chinese, free blacks, Mexicans)
Slavery legal until 1849
California becomes state in 1850
Part of the Compromise of 1850!