1. OBJECTVE
DO FIRST
You will be able to explain arguments for and against the U.S.-Mexico War
How do you think Mexicans felt after Texas won its independence? Explain in at least 3 sentences.
How did Florida become part of the US? Explain in at least 2 sentences.

2. Notes Page
Fill in your guided notes!

3. President Polk and Manifest Destiny
When President James Polk was elected president of the United States in 1845, his dream was to fulfill America’s Manifest Destiny—he wanted to stretch U.S. territory to reach all the way across the continent to the Pacific Ocean.
The only problem—much of the territory he wanted still belonged to Mexico!

4. President Polk and Manifest Destiny
Even though he knew this would anger the Mexican government, President Polk allowed for the annexation of Texas to the U.S because it would allow the nation to expand westward.

5. President Polk and Manifest Destiny
Even though he knew this would anger the Mexican government, President Polk allowed for the annexation of Texas to the U.S because it would allow the nation to expand westward.
But that wasn’t enough for Polk—he set his sights on the Mexican territories of California and New Mexico. He knew that not many Mexicans lived in those regions and he believed that the U.S. would make better use of that land.

6. President Polk and Manifest Destiny
Even though he knew this would anger the Mexican government, President Polk allowed for the annexation of Texas to the U.S because it would allow the nation to expand westward.
But that wasn’t enough for Polk—he set his sights on the Mexican territories of California and New Mexico. He knew that not many Mexicans lived in those regions and he believed that the U.S. would make better use of that land.
For these reasons, President Polk sent a representative to Mexico to see if the Mexican government would sell those territories to the U.S.

7. Check your Understanding
What was President Polk’s goal?
What did he want from Mexico?

8. War Breaks Out
Even after Texas won its independence and was annexed to the U.S., Mexico and the U.S. could not agree on a border.

9. War Breaks Out
Even after Texas won its independence and was annexed to the U.S., Mexico and the U.S. could not agree on a border.
Americans claimed the Texas border along the Rio Grande. Mexico claimed that the border should be along the Nueces River, about 150 miles northeast of the Rio Grande.

10. War Breaks Out
Even after Texas won its independence and was annexed to the U.S., Mexico and the U.S. could not agree on a border.
Americans claimed the Texas border along the Rio Grande. Mexico claimed that the border should be along the Nueces River, about 150 miles northeast of the Rio Grande.
On April 25th, 1846, Mexican soldiers fired on American troops who were patrolling along the Rio Grande. This act of violence gave President Polk the perfect excuse to declare war on Mexico.

11. Check your Understanding
Read the two quotes below and answer the question
How are the views of each president similar?  
How are they different?
U.S. President Polk: “Mexico has invaded our territory and shed American blood on American soil.”
Mexican President Paredes: “A greedy people have thrown themselves on our territory…the time has come to fight”

12. The U.S. Conquers Mexican Territory
Once Polk sent American troops into New Mexico and California, there was little opposition from the Mexican Army.

13. The U.S. Conquers Mexican Territory
Once Polk sent American troops into New Mexico and California, there was little opposition from the Mexican Army.
The Americans quickly invaded, and within a few weeks, California and New Mexico were under American control.

14. The U.S. Conquers Mexican Territory
Once Polk sent American troops into New Mexico and California, there was little opposition from the Mexican Army.
The Americans quickly invaded, and within a few weeks, California and New Mexico were under American control.
President Polk had achieved Manifest Destiny—the U.S. stretched all the way to the Pacific Ocean. But he didn’t stop there—he pushed the American army into Mexico

15. The U.S. Conquers Mexican Territory
Under the leadership of General Zachary Taylor, the Americans fought bloody and violent battles in the cities of Monterrey and Buena Vista.
When the Americans defeated the Mexicans, they pushed further south and conquered Veracruz and Mexico City. Realizing their defeat, a Mexican officer muttered “God is a Yankee (American)”

16. Check your Understanding
How do you think Mexico felt after this war?  
How do you think other nations viewed the U.S. after this conflict?

17. The War Ends
Once the U.S. invaded Mexico City, the two nations signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Mexico agreed to make the Texas border along the Rio Grande and they gave up the California and New Mexico territories—the area known as the Mexican Cession (“cession” means what was given up).

18. The War Ends
Once the U.S. invaded Mexico City, the two nations signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Mexico agreed to make the Texas border along the Rio Grande and they gave up the California and New Mexico territories—the area known as the Mexican Cession (“cession” means what was given up).
These territories included the present-day states of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, as well as parts of Wyoming and Colorado. In the end, Mexico gave up over half of its territory to the U.S.

19. Is America Acting like a Bully?
In Washington, some senators spoke up to oppose this treaty. Many argued that the U.S. had no right to any Mexican territory other than Texas.

20. Is America Acting like a Bully?
In Washington, some senators spoke up to oppose this treaty. Many argued that the U.S. had no right to any Mexican territory other than Texas.
They believed that the Mexican-American War was unjust (unfair) and that the U.S. was acting like a bully to weaker nations. Unfortunately, there were not enough opponents to the treaty—most Americans supported the idea of taking more land for westward expansion and believed that this was a fulfillment of their Manifest Destiny!