1. Mexican-American War
1846 to 1848

2. Causes leading to Mexican American War
Manifest Destiny
It is “God’s Will” to expand US territory to the Pacific Coast
Texan Annexation in 1845
Mexico still felt that they should have rights to Texas after Texas gained independence in 1836
Once Texas was annexed to the US, Mexico broke off diplomatic relations.
Slidell’s Rejection
US tried to buy California (up to 25 mil.), New Mexico, and approval of the Rio Grande as the Texas border from Mexico (John Slidell’s mission to Mexico City; however, Mexico refused to meet)
Monetary Claims against Mexico
Mexico never paid American Creditors 3
million to cover claims of American citizens
who had lost property during turmoil and
revolution
Border Dispute over Texas
US: Boundary formed by the Rio Grande
Mexico: Boundary formed by the Nueces River
South and West willingness to Expand

3. The Event… After rejection of meeting with Slidell…
Zachary Taylor’s troops moved the to the Rio Grande
Skirmish between Mexico and the US (11 US soldiers killed)
Polk sends war message to Congress
Spot Resolution Controversy (Abe Lincoln)
Polk convinced Congress despite majority of population against war

6. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Rio Grande becomes the border for Texas/ Mexico
US agreed to pay $15 mil. For the Mexican cession (CA, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, most of Arizona, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming
US assumes 3.2 mil. debt
Treaty guaranteed Mexicans freedom of religion, protection of property, open borders, bilingual elections…

7. http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/File:Mexican_Cession_in_Mexican_View

8. Aftermath of Mexican-American War
Eventual Gadsden Purchase in 1853
California Gold Rush in CA starting in 1848
More Sectionalism
Will the Mexican Cession become slave or free territory?
War experience by important future Civil War generals
Uneasy relations with Mexico and Latin American Countries for the future