Mexican American War

Mexican American War

New States/Territories

Review:

• Texas fought Mexico to become independent country

• US annexed Texas 1845

• US signed treaty with Great Britain (1846) and added Oregon Territory (1848)

Tension over Texas

​Review:

• Mexico lost Texas but still owned New Mexico, California, Nevada, Arizona area

• Conflict between Texas and Mexico over Texas independence treaty

• Texas annexation to US caused conflict between US-Mexico

• Adding Texas (with slavery) made North furious

Multiple Choice

What state fought Mexico for independence, then joined the US in 1845?

• Texas

• California

• New Mexico

• Ohio

• Spain claimed California in 1500

• Set up missions (San Francisco, etc)

• California - part of Mexico after 1821

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​Spanish History of California

• Difficult for Mexico to rule California

• Gave huge land grants- encourage immigrants to move to California - large ranches

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California as Part of Mexico

Discuss with Partner:

Why do you think Mexico had trouble controlling the California area?

Multiple Choice

California was first owned by

• the United States

• Spain

Multiple Choice

In the early 1800s, California was made up of

• missions and large ranches

• many large cities

• large populations of Americans

​Dispute between US and Mexico

• Conflict over border of Texas

• Mexico - thought border was Nueces River
  US - wanted border at Rio Grande (more south)

• US President Polk sent troops to secure the area between the rivers

​Dispute over River that Forms Border

Military Conflict

• Fight between US and Mexican troops in disputed area

• US President says Mexico "invaded" our land and "spilled American blood."

• After river conflict, US declared war 1846
  
  

• US took New Mexico province without firing

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War with Mexico

Multiple Choice

What belief encouraged Americans to want southwest area owned by Mexicod

• democracy

• industrialization

• abolition

• manifest destiny

• Could be avoided

• No reason for war

• Adding slave states

No to War!

• Big adventure

• Manifest destiny

• Patriotism / defending US

​Yes to War!

Mixed US Feelings on War

Poll

Do you think the US had a good reason to declare war on Mexico in 1846?

• yes - we needed more land

• yes - we should set the Texas border

• no - just a misunderstanding

• no - we didn't need more states till we end slavery

• White settlers in California seized weapons for Mexican militia

• Declared independence from Mexico, June 1846

• US recognized California as independent nation, then annexed in August

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​Bear Flag Revolt

Multiple Choice

Before California become a US state, it _____.

• started a war with Britain

• was recaptured by Spain

• rebelled against Mexico then became independent country

Match

Match the following

• Nueces River

• Rio Grande River

• Texas, 1846

• California, 1821

• President Polk

Mexican border for Texas

US border for Texas

US state

Mexican territory

US president

• Mexican border for Texas

• US border for Texas

• US state

• Mexican territory

• US president

• US eventually captured Mexico City, 1847

• Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago - Feb. 1848 - ends war

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End of War

• More than 500,000 square miles

• Present-day California, Nevada, Utah; most of Arizona, New Mexico part of Colorado, Wyoming

US Got:

• $15 million

• Protection (life, liberty) for Mexican people living in area

​Mexico Got:

Treaty Terms

Continued fight over slavery in new area

Conflict over New States

Gadsen Purchase - US bought southern New Mexico and Arizona for $10 million

​Adding More Land

After the War

Cultural Influences

US settlers learn traditions (language, building, holidays, mining/ranching) from Mexican residents

Multiple Choice

What treaty with Mexico gave the US much of the southwest US?

• Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo

• Treaty of Paris

• Treaty of Ghent

Multiple Choice

How did the US get southern New Mexico and Arizona?

• Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago

• Gadsen Purchase

• captured in war