1. The Mexican American War (1846-1848)

2. President James K. Polk  This Democrat from Tennessee wins the election of 1844 (defeating Henry Clay) with a platform supporting the goals of Manifest Destiny.  He sent John Slidell (Spanish speaking Ambassador) to Mexico to find a diplomatic solution to the Texas border question and offered $25 million for the California territory.

3. Mexican Reaction  Mexican President, Mariano Parades refused to see Slidell.  After the US annexes Texas, Mexico breaks off diplomatic relations with the United States.

4. Outbreak of War  In April 1846, Mexican soldiers crossed the Rio Grande River and attacked a small American cavalry unit. According to the Mexican point of view, this was Mexican territory.  The United States disagreed & on May 13 th, Congress declared war.

5. Sectionalism: Americans Debate War  Supporters: Western states and Southern states. Supporting for geographical reasons and extension of slavery.  Opponents: Northerners. Questioned Polk’s declaration of war. Anti-slavery groups also opposed this war.

6. Map of War Strategy  General Zachary Taylor invaded northern Mexico.  General Stephen Kearny traveled west and captured Santa Fe, and supported revolt in California.  Bear Flag Revolt – Americans, led by John Fremont, rebelled against Mexican rule in California.  General Winfield Scott invaded Mexico City (through Gulf of Mexico)

7. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)  The United States gained full title to Texas with the Rio Grande as the southern border of Texas.  The U.S. gained California and the New Mexico territory including present day Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and parts of Colorado.  The U.S. paid $15 million for California and New Mexico and agreed to pay Mexican debts totaling 3.25 million dollars.  In 1853, the United States purchased the southern portion of New Mexico in the Gadsden Purchase for $10 million dollars enabling the U.S. to have flat land for a connecting railroad.  Once the United States gained control of these areas, populations grew with new settlers flooding west.

8. Before the Rush  Californios – settlers of Mexican/Spanish descent  Mariano Vallejo – Californio land owner  John Sutter – owned mill in Sacramento Valley  John Marshall – builds Sutter’s mill on the American River - GOLD

9. Gold Rush How to Get There  18,000 Mile sail around South America  Isthmus of Panama  Oregon/California Trail Mining Camps  Tents along the Sierra Nevada mountains  Rough, violent places  2/3 American  1/3 – Chinese, South Americans, freed slaves

10. Impact of Gold Rush  250,000 people move to Ca  San Francisco becomes a port city – with many different ethnicities  Californios & Native Americans – have property seized  1850 – California becomes a FREE state

11. Manifest Destiny  Manifest Destiny is a nineteenth-century belief that the U.S. had a mission to expand westward across the North American continent, spreading its form of democracy, freedom and culture  The expansion was deemed to be not only good, but also obvious ("manifest") and certain ("destiny").  Many believed the mission to be divinely inspired

12. American Progress