The Mexican WarChapter 7 Section 4Objective 2.4 – Assess political events that contributed to sectionalism

The Texas Question• Since 1803, the US and Mexico had territorial

disputes (US claimed Texas was part of Louisiana Purchase).

• 1819— (Adams-Onis Treaty)US renounced that claim on Texas to get Florida.

• Manifest destiny & gaining Mexican territory gained popularity.

• Early 1840’s--President John Tyler hoped to annex Texas, but Antislavery leaders in Congress opposed it.

• Texas was finally annexed into the US Feb. 1846.

The Election of 1844• The Whig Party nominated Senator Henry Clay.• Democrats nominated James K. Polk over front

runner Martin Van Buren.The Campaign• Polk promised to annex Texas, gain Oregon, and

buy California from Mexico.• His Platform appealed to northerners &

southerners (expanded country while keeping section balance).

• Clay had flip flopped on the Texas annexation issue= southerner Whigs voted for a third party.

• POLK WON THE ELECTION!!

Claims to Oregon•During Polk’s election campaign the

motto was “Fifty-four Forty or Fight”.•The US would demand all of Oregon to

the 54-40 north latitude.

•The 1846 Oregon Treaty —the US received all of Oregon to 49 north latitude.

“Fifty-four forty or Fight”

Mexican Anger Over Texas Annexation

When the US annexed Texas:•Mexico was outraged•Withdrew diplomatic relations with US•Disputes worsened when arguments

about the border between Texas & Mexico broke out.

•November 1845—President Polk sent American John Slidell to negotiate with Mexico to purchase California.

•Mexico refused to meet with Slidell.

Disputed Border of Texas & Mexico

Mexican War•1846- Polk sent Gen. Zachary Taylor to

provoke a fight- US troops crossed the Nueces's River

•May 1846- news arrived that Mexican forces had attacked US troops.

•Congress declared war on Mexico•Whigs opposed – another plot to extend

slavery

War Strategy•Taylor to go past Rio Grande into Mexico

▫Easily defeated Santa Anna at Palo Alto then Resaca de la Palma

•Separate force to capture Santa Fe ▫an important trading post▫Colonel Stephen Kearny

•Navy to help take California▫General John C. Fremont▫Uprising of settlers – declared California to be

independent▫Renamed Bear Flag Republic

•Forces then to advance to Mexico City & force a surrender

War Movements

Who is the general in charge for the US?

1. John Slidell2. Zachary Taylor3. John Sutton4. William Travis

To Mexico City•Troops sent to Veracruz to march west to

Mexico City•Polk replaces Taylor for fear Taylor’s

popularity would defeat him in the Election of 1848

•General Winfield Scott -placed in charge

•Scott captures Mexico City – September 14, 1847

**Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo•February 2, 1848•Mexico ceded Texas, California, Nevada,

Utah, New Mexico, Arizona & parts of Wyoming & Colorado

•500,000 square miles•Accepted Rio Grande as border•US paid Mexico $15 million & took over

Mexican debts ($3.25 million) owed to American citizens

•Promised US citizenship to Mexicans living in these territories

Land ceded to the US by Treaty of Hidalgo

Who first purported the idea of Manifest Destiny?

1. John Slidell2. John Sutton3. John Louis

O’Sullivan4. Joseph Smith