The Mexican War

Mexico considered the annexation

of Texas to be an act of war a new trouble spot

Disputed the boundary of Texas

American settlers in California were

Following the example of Texas, they too

wanted to become a part of the US

President Polk wanted to annex

California too, but didnt necessarily want war with Mexico

The Mexican War

President Polk tried to

purchase California and New Mexico for $30 million President Polk also wanted to extend the border of America farther south to the Rio Grande River
About 100 miles south of the

Nueces River

The border according to Mexico

Mexico would not negotiate at

all

The Mexican War

President Polk decided upon a more

aggressive tactic

Sent General Zachary Taylor and 2,000

troops to guard the Rio Grande River

Mexican troops crossed the river

Using this as an excuse, Polk asked

and killed and/or wounded sixteen American soldiers

Congress for a declaration of war against Mexico Northerners feared new lands in the West would eventually become slave states
Patriotism overcame them and war was

declared (1846)

The Mexican War

Zachary Taylor defeats the Mexicans in

Texas at Monterrey and at Buena Vista General Winfield Scott captures Mexico City and the Mexican government gave up John C. Fremont leads Americans against Mexican troops in California
Known as the Bear Flag Revolt US navy arrives and aids Fremont to victory

General Stephen Kearny marched upon

Santa Fe, New Mexico and defeated the Mexicans there

Continues to march on to California where the

navy aided him in complete control

The Mexican War

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) Mexico dropped all of its claims to Texas Gave the US the land from Texas to the Pacific Ocean (Mexican Cession)
California, New Mexico, and the present-day

states of Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado

US paid Mexico $15 million

The Gadsden Purchase (1853)

Strip of land south of the Gila River in New

Mexico Territory US purchases this land for $10 million for the purpose of building a railroad through the region

The Mexican War

Lands gained from Mexico were

larger than all of the Louisiana Territory 12 Senators rejected the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
They pushed for the annexation of all of

Mexico

Antislavery Congressmen and

Whigs opposed the Treaty also

Fear of more slave states being added to

the Union

The Mexican War

Treaty was accepted by the vote of

38 to 14
victory

Only 3 more than was necessary for

Result was going to be more

infighting among American leadership over the newly acquired lands

Were the new lands going to be slave or

free territory??????