1. Chapter 17.2 The Mexican War Pres. Polk was determined to keep America expanding. – Oregon was easy. – Texas would be harder Mexico wants to fight for their land America wants to take as much as possible Pres. Polk makes it clear… – America is going to war for Texas!

2. American Response to War Supporters – Democrats Rallied behind the POTUS Believed a war would bring America together We could show off our military! – Slave-owners Knew expansion = more slavery! People Against the War – Whig Party Henry Clay Abraham Lincoln – Believed the conflict was unnecessary. » Why have people killed over land? – Henry David Thoreau Writer who went to jail for not paying taxes – Why didn’t he pay his taxes? » He knew the $$$ would go towards the Mexican War! – Abolitionists in North Thought that expansion = slavery

3. Militaries at Beginning of War Mexican Army – Outnumbered US Army 40,000 Mexicans 12,000 US Army – Had bad officers and generals Didn’t know how defend their own soil US Army – Small at first Grew to over 200,000 within 1 st year of war – Officers were very well trained Trained at West Point Academy – Knew how to fight in someone else’s country.

4. Interesting Officers in US Army during Mexican War Gen. Zachary Taylor – In charge of US Army Future POTUS Gen. Franklin T. Pierce Future POTUS Lt. Ulysses S. Grant – Leader of Union Army in Civil War Future POTUS Lt. George McClellan – Also leader of Union Army in Civil War

5. Other Interesting Officers In Mexican War Capt. Robert E. Lee – Becomes leader of Confederate Army during Civil War Col. Jefferson Davis – Becomes President of Confederate States of America during Civil War

6. American Victories May 8 and 9, 1846 – Gen. Zachary Taylor has successfully pushed Mexican Army south of Rio Grande. – Goal: Keep Mexican Army in Mexico – Then, we attack somewhere else and take more land! » Hello New Mexico!

7. Battle of Santa Fe Pres. Polk orders Gen. Stephen Kearny to attack New Mexico’s capital. – Kearny takes it without a fight! Why? – Mexican Army is stuck by Rio Grande! June, 1846 – Kearny claims New Mexico for USA Moves on the Southern California

8. Battle for California John C. Fremont – American settler who led a revolution against the Californios. Called the Bear Flag Revolt! – Why? » Because their flag had a bear on it…duh! – Then, Gen. Kearny shows up in S. Cal Moves up the state claiming everything for the USA August 1846 – America claims California!

9. How it all went wrong for Mexico!

10. The War’s End Now that California and New Mexico have been taken – That leaves just Mexico… Should we leave it alone? Or Should we prove a point?

11. The US Proves A Point General Taylor wants to go into Mexico and burn down the capital city! – Pres. Polk is afraid Taylor is too popular He might want to run for POTUS like other generals! – Pres. Polk gives command to Gen. Winfield Scott known as “Old fuss and Feathers” Goal = take Mexico City!

12. Gen. Scott takes Mexico City August 1847 – Gen. Scott were at edge of Mexico City Attack the city for 4 straight weeks Sept. 14, 1847 – Mexico surrenders! We win! Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo – Ends Mexican War USA gets Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, California, Texas, Colorado, and Wyoming! – Called the Mexican Cession

13. United States of America after Mexican War

14. Review Questions Why did some Americans support the Mexican War and others did not? Who was the general of the US Army during the Mexican War? What is the name of the Treaty that ends the Mexican War? What does America get for winning?