WAR WITH MEXICO

Chapter 9, Section 3

The Annexation of Texas

Many southerners supported annexation because Texas allowed slavery Admitting Texas to the Union as a slave state

would boost the South’s political power Other Americans had doubts about admitting

Texas as a state Concerned that US would have to bear Texas

debt Annexation would spread slavery westward Constitution said nothing about admitting

an independent nation to the US

The Annexation of Texas

Texas remained a republic for nine years James K. Polk won the in 1844 and wanted

annexation Mexico warned the US that if it annexed

Texas it would consider it a declaration of war against Mexico

March 1845 – Congress passed resolution annexing Texas to the United States Texas became a part of the US on December

29,1845

Westward Expansion

Tensions between the US and Mexico

Mexico was furious about Texas annexation Mexico still felt like Texas had been unfairly

taken from it by foreigners during the Texas Revolution

Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with the US after Texas annexation

Polk and Manifest Destiny

March 1845 – Polk becomes president

Enthusiastic supporter of national expansion Wanted the land

between Texas and the Pacific Ocean

However, New Mexico and California belonged to Mexico

Polk thought they should become part of the US

The Boundary Dispute

Boundary dispute between Mexico and Texas Mexico believed it was at the

Nueces River US believed it was at the Rio

Grande Another dispute was

over money US said Mexico owed US $3

million for the loss of property and life during Mexico’s fight for independence against Spain

Slidell’s Trip

Polk sent a special messenger to Mexico John Slidell arrived with a US offer to cancel

the $3 million claims against Mexico in exchange for Mexico’s recognition of the Rio Grande as the boundary

He was authorized to pay Mexico up to $30 million for New Mexico and California

No one would consent to meet with Slidell He recommended to Polk that Mexico be

punished

The Mexican-American War

Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to advance into the disputed territory between Nueces River and Rio Grande Led to a small skirmish

Polk used this event to request that Congress declare war on Mexico

US declared war on Mexico on May 13, 1846

Fighting the War

General Stephen Kearny Took New Mexico quickly California – small group of Americans

revolted and forced Mexican leader to sign treaty (Became known as Bear Flag Revolt)

June 14, 1846 – Americans declared independent Republic of California (US took control about a month later)

In a matter of months, the US had control of New Mexico, California and Mexico’s capital (Mexico City)

Results of the War

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Ended the Mexican-

American War Mexico turned over to

the US the Mexican Cession

US paid Mexico $15 million

1853 – Gadsden Purchase-clarified the treaty boundary and transferred even more land to the U.S.