THE WAR WITH MEXICO

Polk Urges War

• U.S. and Mexico began to fight again during the annexation of Texas.
• THey could of been peaceful if the Mexicans had a stable government.
• Polk belived that war with them would bring states such as Texas, California, and New Mexico
• They argued more when Mexico said the border would not be to the border of Rio Grande.

Slidell's Rejection

• In 1844, Santa Anna was taken out of office
• Mexican politics were unpredictable and unstable.
• IN 1845, Polk sent Slidell to gain approval of the Texas border.

Slidell Cont.

• Mexicans viewed this as a violation of their rights.
• Some Americans supported the war.
• Overall the decision was split.
• Slavery some came the key issue of this debate.

Sectional Attitudes Toward War

• The idea of war brought celebration.
• Newspapers gave the war a romantic appeal.
• Abolitionists did not support the war.
• Southerners were big supporters for the war.
• They saw it as an opportunity for slavery.

Sectional Attitudes Toward War Cont.

• The Wilmot Proviso prohibited slavery in the lands from Mexico.
• Northerners opposed the war.

The War Begins

• John Fremont led an exploration through California.
• Mexico saw this as a violation of their rights.
• This pushed the Mexican Government to war.
• They sent troops across the Rio Grande
• They killed nine Americans. (oh so scared)

The War Begins Cont.

• Polk declared war on the Mexicans.
• The Senate and House supported the war.
• Whigs tried to opposed but were barely allowed to speak.
• Manifest Destiny launched the Americans on their first battle on foreign soil.

Kearny Marches West

• In 1846, Polk ordered Kearny to march from Kansas to New Mexico.
• Kearny was known as "the Long Marcher" he crossed 800 miles.
• They were met in Santa Fe by upper class citizens that wanted to join the U.S.

The Republic of California

• Spanish settlers had over 20 missions in California.
• After giving them independence, the Mexicans took them over.
• Over 12,000 Mexican citizens in California and 500 Americans.
• Polk offered to buy California, this upset the Mexican government.
• In 1846, Fremont Seized the town of Senoma.

The Republic of California Cont.

• The rebels declared their independence from this takeover.
• Along with John D. Sloat.
• The Mexican troops left and gave Americans control of Cali.

The War in Mexico

• In Mexico, American troops won battle after battle.
• Mexicans had the numbers, but poor leadership.
• U.S. soldiers were commanded under Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee.
• American invasion of Mexican lasted over a year.
• Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott won many battles.

The war in mexico cont.

• Polk had a scheme with Santa Anna back into Mexico and end the war.
• Winfield Scott destroyed Santa Anna.
• Scott went undefeated in this war.

America gains the spoils of war

• Mexico lost at least 25,000 lives and half of its land.
• America gained 1/3 of its own land.

The treaty of guadalupe hidalgo

• Treaty was signed in 1848
• Extended the U.S. border to the Rio Grande
• U.S. got land including:
• California, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Colarado, and Wyoming.
• U.S. Paid 15 million for this purchase

Taylor's Election in 1848

• Taylor was elected president
• Nominated by the Whig Party.

California GOld rush

• James Marchall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill.
• People went nuts.

The rush begins

• People traveled to San Fran looking for gold.
• Every wanted in on the riches.

Impact of Gold Fever

• Forty-Niners- People who flocked to California for the riches.
• The Gold Rush- The rushing for gold.

GOld rush brings diversity

• California's statehood got up to 100,000 people.
• California's application for statehood provoked fiery protest in Congress.
• This was argued upon to be a slave state or free state.

The End