1836- Texas gains independence from Mexico

1836-1845- Mexico insists Texas is still under their control- many skirmishes and fights

1845- Texas is annexed into America- Mexico withdraws attempt to take back Texas

•After annexation, Mexico and Texas fight over border

• US President James K. Polk sends diplomat to offer $25 million to Mexican for California

•Mexicans refused an audience

• Polk wanted a war, so he sent troops to the Rio Grande

• When Mexicans attack and American casualties ensue on American soil, Polk argues for war

•Congress agrees and war begins

• Main force led by General Zachary Taylor

• Moved slowly towards Mexico City

• Main battles were the Battle of Palo Alto, the Battle of Monterrey, the Siege of Veracruz, the Battle of Churubusco, and the final Battle of Chapultepec

The Battle of Palo Alto-May 8, 1846

The Battle of Monterrey-September 21-24, 1846

The Siege of Veracruz-March9-29, 1847

The Battle of Churubusco-August 20, 1847

The Battle of Chapultepec-September 12-13, 1847

• The Battle of Chapultepec forced Mexican troops into retreat and the Mexican officials agreed to negotiate

US Gets Mexico Gets

1. New Mexico2. Utah3. California4. Rest of Southwest 5. Mexico gives up claims to

Texas

1. $15 million2. Debt paid off ($3 million)

• Treaty was beneficial for United States, as they got more land to spread America.

• America must decide whether new states are going to allow slaves or not and address the slave trade in Washington DC

• California admitted as free state- balancing the number of slave and free states at 12

• Texas is forced to relinquish land to Santa Fe, but given $10 million to repay Mexico

• New Mexico, Utah and other recently acquired territories are left to vote whether to be slave or free states when they apply for statehood

• Slave trade in Washington D.C. is outlawed

• Slaves are still legal in Washington

• Fugitive Slave Act is part of the Compromise

• Denied fugitive slaves right to jury trial and required citizens to help turn in any fugitive slaves

• Compromise was very controversial- caused many problems later in the decade

A: 6 yearsB: 3 yearsC: 10 yearsD: 0 years

The Republic of Texas came into being in 1836 and was annexed into America in 1845, 10 years later.

A: $20 millionB: $25 millionC: $30 millionD: $35 million

President Polk offered Mexico $25 million for California via diplomat John Slidell, but Mexican officials refused to speak to Slidell.

A: May 8, 1846B: April 13, 1846C: March 25, 1846D: May 5, 1846

The Battle of Palo Alto was the first battle in the US Mexican War. It took place in Texas near the border between Mexico and Texas. The Mexicans attacked but were staved off by General Zach Taylor.

A: Battle of MonterreyB: Siege of VeracruzC: Battle of ChurubuscoD: Battle of Chapultepec

The Battle of Chapultepec was the final battle of the US Mexican War. It took place in Mexico City and forced the retreat of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his troops.

A: 10B: 11C: 12D: 13

After California was admitted as a free state, the number of slave and free states was equalized at 12. Texas’s admission 5 years before had unbalanced the states so the acceptance of California was very balancing.

http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/Mexican-AmericanWar/tp/The-Battles-Of-The-Mexican-American-War.htm

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2951.html