1. Chapter Notes
Goal 2

2. Texas
Since 1836, Texas was standing alone as its own country (Lone Star Republic), Mexico refuses to recognize Texas as anything but a state in revolt
Mexico threatens war with US if US tries to annex Texas
Texas wants to join US as a slave state, makes North unhappy
Texas needs military defense against Mexico so works to make international friends, does make some with GB, FR, Belgium, and Holland
This worries US who does not want these nations within our “borders” also challenges Monroe Doctrine

3. More Texas
Issue of annexing Texas becomes key issue in campaign of 1844
Proexpansion Democrats nominate James K. Polk and Whigs nominate Henry Clay
Polk wins
Tyler (who is a lameduck president at this point) believes this is a sign that the American people want Texas as a state
Did not think that adding Texas as a state would happen in Congress through a regular Treaty process (have to do it this way because TX is an independent nation)
Tyler arranges for annexation by joint resolution which would only require a simple majority okay in Congress rather than 2/3rds approval
TX becomes 28th state in 1845
Mexico mad but no war yet…

5. Misunderstands with Mexico
Idea of Manifest Destiny pushes US to want Oregon and CA
Pop of CA in 1845 was mixed, Spanish Mexicans, Native Americans, some Americans
Polk wants to buy CA from Mexico but a few issues exist
US had about $3 million in damages claims against Mexico for the Mexico/Texas war
Mexico still upset over US annexing Texas
Polk really worried once word spreads that GB is trying to buy CA (violates MD)

6. California Polk sends John Slidell to Mexico City, 1845
Offers $25 million for California
He is turned away/FAIL
Jan 13, 1846 Polk sends 4,000 men led by Gen. Zachary Taylor to march toward Mexican territory
Nothing happens….Polk expected Mexico to respond
May 9, 1846 Polk asks Congress to declare war on Mexico
Unpaid claims (damages)
Slidell’s rejection

7. War with Mexico
However, news arrives on May 9 that on April 25, 1846 Mexican troops crossed the Rio Grande (border) and attacked Taylor’s troops killing 16 Americans
Polk says this is also cause for war since the attack was unprovoked
Congress votes for War
Americans excited!! “Mexico or Death!”

8. Mexican War Polk really just wants CA not war
Santa Anna (dethroned Mexican dictator, at this time in Cuba) says that if the US helps him into Mexico he would double cross his country and help the US
Polk allows Santa Anna back to Mexico
Bad move! Santa Anna rallies the Mexican troops against the US

9. Phases of the War War occurs in 3 phases Phase 1: Get CA
Gen Stephen Kearny and about 1700 troops marched from Ft. Leavenworth to Santa Fe, then head west to San Diego
Is joined in CA by Capt. John C Fremont and his men who take CA and say the area is now known as the “Bear Flag Republic”, independent nation

10. Phase II Fighting in Texas:
Gen Zachary Taylor scores several victories, notably defeats Santa Anna at Buena Vista (Feb 22-23, 1847)
He is now a big time war hero!

11. Phase III Conquest of Mexico City:
Gen Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers) was sent to Mexico City to deliver the final blow to Mexico
Retraces Cortez’s path from Vera Cruz to Mexico City
Captures Mexico City, Sept 1847

12. End of the War Polk anxious to end war now that he has what he wants
Sends Chief Clerk of the State Dept, Nicholas Trist to get peace deal
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Ends War (Feb 2, 1848)
US got land “Mexican Cession”, CA and future states of NV, AZ, NM, CO, UT
US pays Mexico $15 for land and assumes damages claims previously upset about

13. What about Slavery?
Question comes up with what to do with slavery in the new lands
Wilmot Proviso: suggest all Mexican Cession lands be closed to slavery
Proviso fails in Senate

14. Assignment:
Make a TimeLine for the Annexation of Mexico and the Mexican War using the dates provided. More than 1 event could occur on specific date.
Information can be found in Chapter 9 Sections 3 and 4
Dates:

15. Dates: June 1846 Sept 1846 2/2/1848 May 29, 1848 1853 1821 (Mexico)
1823/1824 (land)
1824 (slavery)
1834
1835
March 1836
Sept 1836
1844
12/29/1845
1846
June 1846
Sept 1846
2/2/1848
May 29, 1848
1853