JOHN L. O’SULLIVAN

• 1845• New York journalist who coined the

phrase “Manifest Destiny” • Many Americans began to believe

the US had a godly mission to spread its liberty, democracy and traditions to the Pacific Ocean.

JAMES K. POLK

• 1845–1849• President during the Mexican War.• He favored expansion.• Wanted Texas, New Mexico and California.• He sent Zachary Taylor to the Rio Grande• “ “ John C Fremont to California• “ “ Stephen Kearney to New Mexico• “ “ Winfield Scott to Mexico City

ZACHARY TAYLOR

• 1846• Taylor and 3000 American troops were

sent to the Rio Grande.• Mexico considered his advance an invasion• Several Americans were killed- “American

Blood on American soil”• Won key victories at Palo Alto, Monterrey,

and Buena Vista• Future US President

War with Mexico cont.• Mexican troops

engaged in a skirmish with Taylor's forces in late April 1846.

• Several Americans were killed.

• This was the excuse Polk had been waiting for.

• Expressing outrage at the loss of “American blood on American soil,” the President pushed for a declaration of war.

Gen. Zachary Taylor

Gen. Santa Anna

* First battle of the war.

JOHN C. FREMONT

• 1846• Captain in the US Army who drove

the Mexican Army out of California.• Would run for US President and lose.

JOHN C FREMONT• Meanwhile, an

American expedition under the command of Captain John C. Frémont moved into California, under orders from President Polk.

• Before news of the war with Mexico even reached California, a group of American settlers took matters into their own hands.

WILLIAM IDE

• JUNE 14, 1846• He led American citizens on a revolt

against Mexican citizens in California-Bear Flag Revolt

WILLIAM IDE• Led by William B.

Ide, these settlers launched a surprise attack on the town of Sonoma on June 14 and proclaimed the Republic of California.

• BEAR FLAG REVOLT• Frémont quickly

assumed control of the rebel forces and then drove the Mexican army out of northern California.

STEPHEN KEARNEY

• 1846• US General who crossed into New

Mexico then California to meet up with Fremont.

• By January 1847, the US took control of all of New Mexico and California.

Stephen Kearny• In July 1846, United

States troops under General Stephen Kearny crossed into New Mexico.

• Meeting little resistance, American forces occupied Santa Fe by mid-August.

• Kearny then took part of his army and marched west to California to join Frémont.

• Together they defeated the Mexican army.

• By January 1847 the United States had taken control of the territories of New Mexico and California.

SANTA ANNA

• 1822-1855• Mexican General who went to war

against the US.• His army lost to Winfield Scott in

Mexico City ending the war.

WINFIELD SCOTT

• 1847• US General who marched his army

into Mexico City and defeated Santa Anna’s 20,000 troops ending the war.

Winfield Scott• Pressing for complete

victory, Polk had sent forces under General Winfield Scott to take Mexico City.

• In March 1847, Scott captured the port city of Veracruz.

• Then he marched his army of 10,000 men toward Mexico City .

• After fierce fighting, Scott defeated Santa Anna's forces and captured the Mexican capital on September 14, bringing the war to an end.