1. War with Mexico 12-3

2. The New Mexico Territory
War with Mexico
The New Mexico Territory
New Mexico was the name of a huge region between Texas and California.
Made up of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, parts of Colorado and Wyoming

3. The New Mexico Territory
War with Mexico
The New Mexico Territory
Native Americans lived there thousands of years
Spanish Conquistadors explored it in the 1500’s & made it part of Spain.
In 1610 Spain founded the settlement of Santa Fe bringing in Catholic Missionaries.

4. The New Mexico Territory
War with Mexico
The New Mexico Territory
After Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821 it also took the New Mexico province.
Because of the distance from Mexico City it had little control over the territory.
The inhabitants ruled themselves as a result.

5. The New Mexico Territory
War with Mexico
The New Mexico Territory
During Spanish rule they tried to keep Americans away from Santa Fe thinking the Americans would take over the area.
When Mexico got the area they changed the policy allowing American traders into the area hoping to boost the ecnomy.

6. War with Mexico The Santa Fe Trail
Wm. Becknell was the first American trader to reach Santa Fe in 1821.
Becknell’s route became known as the Santa Fe Trail.

7. War with Mexico The Santa Fe Trail
The trail left the Missouri river near Independence, MO and crossed the prairies to the Arkansas River then south to Santa Fe.
Traders followed Becknell into the New Mexico territory and became a busy route for hundreds of wagons.

8. War with Mexico The Santa Fe Trail
Trade was robust for cloth and firearms which were traded for furs, silver & Mules.
Trail remained in use until 1880 with the arrival of the railroad.

9. War with Mexico The Santa Fe Trail
As trade increased, Americans began settling the New Mexico territory.
Because of Manifest destiny, Americans were looking at another prize- the Mexican territory of California which would provide access to the Pacific.

10. California’s Spanish Culture.
War with Mexico
California’s Spanish Culture.
Spanish explorers and Catholic missionaries were the first to settle California.
Fr. Junipero’ Serra and Capt. Gaspar de Portola built missions from San Diego to Sonoma.
The mission system was a key part of Spain colonizing California.

11. California’s Spanish Culture.
War with Mexico
California’s Spanish Culture.
Spain used missions to convert Native Americans to Christianity.
By 1820 Spain had over 20,000 Native Americans living in the missions.

12. War with Mexico California after 1821.
After Mexico won its independence from Spain in1821, California became a state in the new Mexican Nation.
Only a few hundred Spaniards lived in California, but settlers began arriving from Mexico.

13. War with Mexico California after 1821.
In 1833 Mexico passed a law banning the missions.
The government gave some of the land to Native Americans and sold the rest to settlers who built large Ranchos.

14. War with Mexico California after 1821.
Mexican settlers persuaded Native Americans to work their lands and cattle in return for food and shelter.
The California Ranchos were similar to the Plantations of the South and treated the native Americans like slaves.

15. Manifest Destiny and California
War with Mexico
Manifest Destiny and California
Americans had been visiting California for decades.
Most came by trading or whaling ships.
At first Americans were welcomed with open arms.
In the 1840’s families began to arrive in California to settle coming from Missouri.

16. Manifest Destiny and California
War with Mexico
Manifest Destiny and California
By 1845, the American population of California was only about 700 with most living in the Sacramento River Valley.
Some Americans Like John Fremont wrote of California’s mild climate and abundant natural resources.

17. Manifest Destiny and California
War with Mexico
Manifest Destiny and California
Americans started talking about adding California to the Nation.
American businessmen wanted ports on the West Coast to trade with Asia.
Americans saw the advantage of being bordered by the sea rather than a foreign power.

18. Manifest Destiny and California
War with Mexico
Manifest Destiny and California
President Polk offered to buy both California and the New Mexico Territory but Mexico refused.
Soon the U.S. would take it by force. Quiz 12-3A