1. Mexican War!

2. Causes of the Mexican War
Manifest Destiny
Annexation of Texas by the United States
Boundary dispute b/t Mexico and U.S. in Texas

3. Manifest Destiny
-Belief that it was America’s God-given right and duty to expand west to the Pacific Coast. JOHN GAST‘S - "AMERICAN PROGRESS," (1872)

4. Texas Annexation
March 1845 Congress approved the Annexation of Texas (End of J. Tyler’s Term)
Texas looked to solve their financial & military problems (claims & war losses)
Texas became the 28th state in Dec. of 1845.
Mexico cuts off all diplomatic ties with the U.S.

5. Boundary Dispute Texas and U.S. claimed: Rio Grande River
Mexican Government claimed: Nueces River
Rio Grande River
Nueces River

6. Step 1 to War
Polk sent a special envoy to Mexico to purchase California & New Mexico for $30 million.
Mexican President Herrera refused to meet with Slidell
John Slidell

7. Step 2 to War
June Polk ordered General Z. Taylor to enter the disputed area and protect the border.
Polk claimed this was done to protect Texas from Mexican attack.

8. Step 3 to War
March 1846 – General Taylor’s troops made camp at the Rio Grande River
April 1846 – Mexican commander insisted U.S. troops leave the area but General Taylor refused
Mexican forces attacked the US forces killing 11/63 U.S. soldiers

9. Step 4 to War May 11, 1846 – Polk addresses Congress
He declared that “Mexico has shed American blood upon the American soil.”
Two days later Congress declared war on Mexico

10. Support for the War
Many Americans are willing to fight to protect national pride and honor
Many also support the war because it would spread our democratic/republican ways
Southerners supported the war because any territory won could be organized into a slave state

11. Opposition to the War
The Whig Party thought the conflict was unjustified
Abolitionists feared that territory gained might be organized into slave states
Illinois Congressman Abraham Lincoln asking Polk to show the SPOT “where American blood had been shed on American soil”

13. Battle of Palo Alto May 8, 1846
General M. Arista led the Mexican army into combat. The Americans chose not to charge in with their bayonets because there were too many Mexican troops. American General Z. Taylor made strategic charges at Arista’s army (tactic “Flying Artillery”). The attacks overwhelmed the Mexicans and they were forced to retreat.
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14. Battle of Monterrey September 21–24, 1846
The US military was attempting to take over Monterrey. They tried for three days, but were not advancing; and their artillery was depleted. On September 24 American General W. Worth led his Texas Rangers up the hills, where he set up cannons to strike retreating Mexican forces. They eventually surrounded the Mexican forces and forced them to surrender.
American forces take the heights surrounding Monterrey.
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15. The Bear Flag Republic
Rebellion  June 14, 1846
John C. Frémont

16. Battle of Buena Vista February 22–23, 1847
General P. de Ampudia led Mexican troops against Joseph Fane’s Indiana Brigade and forced his retreat. General Taylor was notified and led his troops to counterattack. The battle was fought to a standstill, but Taylor and Santa Anna continued to attack eachother. The Americans repelled the attacks and the Mexicans retreated.
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17. Battle of Veracruz March 9–29, 1847
General Winfield Scott led the American landing at Veracruz. Scott’s forces surrounded the city and cut Veracruz’s water supply. Scott prepared to attack from land and sea. Mexican General Morales refused Scott’s offer for surrender. R.E. Lee lead an offensive on land while American ships fired at the enemy. Scott’s 2nd assault wasn’t needed because the Mexican forces called for a truce and surrendered.
American Positions at Veracruz
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18. Battle of Mexico City September 8–15, 1847
Mexican losses at both El Molino del Rey and Chapultepec led to American attacks at San Cosme and the Belen Gates. American Generals Worth and J. Quitman attacked both areas, respectively. Quitman broke through the Mexican forces, while Worth encountered resistance. With the help of General U.S. Grant the Mexican troops retreated and Mexico City fell to the Americans.
General Winfield Scott enters Mexico City
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19. Treaty: Guadalupe Hidalgo
Mexican Cession
U.S. gained:
Southern boundary of Texas set at the Rio Grande
Territory of California, Nevada, and Utah
Most of Arizona and New Mexico
Parts of Colorado and Wyoming
U.S. Paid:
$15 million to Mexico
Pay debts of Mexico to U.S. citizens
February 2, 1848

20. Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848
Nicholas Trist, American Negotiator

21. Legacies of US-Mexican War
“Small war”—not many lives lost
Gained a ton of land (increased size by 1/3)
Prepared military and soldiers (Civil War)
Led to Mexican resentment
Aroused issue of slavery