The Mexican

WarWhy do you think America got involved in a war with

Mexico?

YANKEE DOODLE

They attacked our men upon our land

And crossed our river too, sir.

Now show them all with sword in hand

What Yankee boys can do, sir.

Pull one of the following topics from a hat…work in small groups to get a BRIEF description.

US general at the Battle of Buena Vista US general who led troops against the Mexicans US general who captured Santa FE nickname for the independent Republic of

California leader of Californian troops fort near Mexico City, where US defeated

Mexican forces ended the Mexican war in 1848

lands given up by Mexico under the terms of the Treaty of GH

strip of land purchased from Mexico in 1853

Zachary TaylorWinfield ScottStephen KearnyBear Flag Republic

John C. FremontChapultepec

Treaty of Guadalupe-HidalgoMexican Cession

Gadsden Purchase

How did Mexicans influence American culture in the Southwest?

They taught Americans new irrigation techniques and mining skills.

What final incident caused President Polk to urge Congress to declare war on Mexico?

American and Mexican troops clashed near the Rio Grande.

How was Texas admitted to the Union?Congress passed a joint resolution accepting the annexation treaty.

Section Review Questions

What did MOST Texans believe should be done to solve the independent republic’s problems?

It should join the United States.

What did the United States acquire as a result of the Mexican War?

California, New Mexico, Arizona

What was a Mexican law adopted by American settlers in the Southwest?

Husbands and wives could own property jointly.

Section Review Questions

CAUSES

EFFECTS

MEXICAN WAR

•United States annexes Texas•Mexico refuses U.S. offer to buy California and New Mexico for $30 million•American and Mexican soldiers clash in disputed border area

•Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo – ended war in 1848•United States acquires vast new lands•United States achieves dream of Manifest Destiny•Influx of American settlers affects culture and laws of all groups in the new lands

Before you leave…History DOES repeat

Some Americans opposed the Mexican War, but others wanted to annex all of Mexico. 120 years later, Americans were sharply divided over the conflict in Vietnam. Some thought the US was

not aggressive enough. Others believed we should not be involved at all. Vietnam-era protesters

frequently went to jail, as did Thoreau more than 100 years earlier for not paying taxes to support

the Mexican War.