Ch. 11 Sec. 3 “The Mexican-American War” P. 354-363

PowerPoint Notes

Ch. 11 Sec. 3 “The Mexican-American War” P. 354-363• Manifest Destiny:

• By 1840’s America’s population and economy was booming• Needed more room, looked West

• Manifest Destiny-• Clear or obvious that it was America’s fate to expand all the way to Pacific Ocean in order

to spread Democracy

• John O’Sullivan coined term in 1845

• Tied to slavery, would it be allowed in new territories?

• Polk defeats Clay in 1844 election• Both supported gaining Oregon and Texas

Ch. 11 Sec. 3 “The Mexican-American War” P. 354-363• Acquiring New Territory:

• Russia and Spain gave up claims to Oregon• More Americans settled there, Polk wanted to protect settlers’ interests

• Provide port for trade w/ China

• U.S. Britain couldn’t agree on border• Expansionists- “Fifty-Four Forty or fight”!

• Neither side wanted war

• Line drawn at 49’ parallel

• Congress annexes Texas in March 1845• Angers Mexican gov’t

Ch. 11 Sec. 3 “The Mexican-American War” P. 354-363• California under Mexico:

• Mission system dominated much of Southwest• Operated farms and ranches with Native American labor

• Had to adopt religion, clothing, food of Spanish• Sold goods to nearby towns

• Mexico ended old Spanish mission style• Land grants given to wealthy California settlers

• Created ranches• Vaqueros-

• Cowboys that managed herds• N.A. still did much of the manual labor

• 3,200 Californios by 1820s• Anglos were American settlers wanted independence

• Far from Mexican gov’t

Ch. 11 Sec. 3 “The Mexican-American War” P. 354-363• Mexican-American War:

• U.S. Mexican relations continue to be strained

• Mexico believed border was Nueces River

• U.S. believed it was Rio Grande River• President Polk ordered Gen. Zachary Taylor to region

• John Slidell sent to settle dispute• Offered to buy California and New Mexico for $30 million

• Refused

• Taylor stationed along Rio Grande River

• Attacked, troops killed

• Congress declares war on Mexico

Ch. 11 Sec. 3 “The Mexican-American War” P. 354-363• War Begins:

• U.S. army better equipped• Outnumbered, not prepared

• 200,000 volunteer

• Most Americans support war• Abolitionists and Whigs opposed

• Gen. Stephen Kearney takes Sante Fe w/out firing a shot• Moves west to California

Ch. 11 Sec. 3 “The Mexican-American War” P. 354-363• The Bear Flag Revolt:

• Americans declare independence from Mexico• Even though only 500 in California

• John C. Fremont• Joins forces with Americans for Californian independence

• U.S. naval forces arrive along with Kearney’s troops• California falls into American hands

Ch. 11 Sec. 3 “The Mexican-American War” P. 354-363• War’s End:

• Taylor gets reinforcements• Meets Santa Anna at the Battle of Buena Vista

• Heavy casualties on both sides

• Santa Anna retreats

• Polk gives command to Winfield Scott• Attacks Veracruz then moves to capital of Mexico City

• Fierce fighting before city falls to Americans on Sept. 14, 1847

Ch. 11 Sec. 3 “The Mexican-American War” P. 354-363• American Settlement in the Mexican Cession:

• U.S. and Mexico sign Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1884) which ends war• Mexico cedes present day states od California, Nevada, Utah, parts of Arizona, New

Mexico, Colorado, & Wyoming in Mexican Cession• 500,000 sq. miles

• Rio Grande is border

• U.S. increases size by almost 25%• U.S. pays $15 million

• Protect rights of Mexicans living in these areas

• Gadsden Purchase (1853):• Paid Mexico $15 million for southern parts of present day Arizona & New Mexico

Ch. 11 Sec. 3 “The Mexican-American War” P. 354-363• Surge of American Settlers:

• Most Mexicans, Mexican Americans, and Native Americans struggled to control land and other resources• Faced legal, economic, and social discrimination• Anglo settlers tried to control water resources, grazing lands, and didn’t respect Indian holy

places

• Traditions• Taught Anglos

• Ranching, mining, saddles, Adobe housing, Navajo blankets

• Traded for manufactured goods

• Water rights• Prevented to building of dams

• Agriculture was not possible w/out irrigation• Good of community over individual