1. Mexican American War
A just or unjust war?

2. Causes Fulfill Manifest Destiny Texas Annexation
Border Dispute – Rio Grande vs. Nueces River
American Blood shed on American soil
Causes

3. Manifest destiny
Belief that God desired for the United States to be a nation that would stretch from “sea to shining sea.”

4. Texas Annexation
Mexico encouraged Americans to settle in the Texas region to encourage farm and trade
As Americans settled in Texas they developed their own way of life and some brought slaves (which was illegal in Mexico)
The Texans became frustrated with Mexico, had a revolution, and then asked the United States to “annex (accept)” them as a state
When the United States annexed Texas, Mexico was outraged

5. Border Dispute
Mexico claimed the Nueces River was the boundary between the United States and Mexico
United States claimed the Rio Grande was the border between the United States and Mexico
American troops sent to the border to guard…crossed into disputed territory and Mexican troops fired upon them
President Polk cries “American blood spilled on American soil.”

6. People President James K. Polk General Zachary Taylor Ulysses S. Grant
Robert E. Lee
Santa Anna

7. Key Events American soldiers killed in the disputed territory
$30 million offer for California and New Mexico
Battle of Palo Alto

8. Effects
Mexico feels as if this was an unjust war – We stole half their land
United States gains California and New Mexico and the border becomes the Rio Grande River
United States becomes a continental nation
New Land = new opportunities = new problems