U.S.-Mexican War

​ In 1836, Texas won its independence from Mexico and established the Republic of Texas. Many Texans hoped the United States would annex it. The U.S. Congress worried that annexing Texas would result in war with Mexico.

The Republic of Texas and Texas Annexation

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The U.S. Congress worried that ​the annexation of ​

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would lead to war with ​

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.

Texas annexation, however, caused a border dispute between Mexico and the United States. Texas claimed the Rio Grande as its southern boundary. Mexico insisted on the Nueces River as the border of Texas.

Border Dispute

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Mexico claimed the border to be the ​

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the United States claimed it to be the ​

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.

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Nueces River

Rio Grande

President Polk ordered U.S. forces into the disputed area. To Mexican leaders, U.S. military action was an invasion of their country and Mexican troops attacked American forces in the disputed territory north of the Rio Grande.

President Polk Takes Action

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Draw an X where Polk sent U.S. troops north of the Rio Grande.

President Polk told Congress "Mexico has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil." He stated the U.S. needed to defend U.S. territory from Mexican aggression and stop Mexican attacks against U.S. territory. Congress passed a declaration of war against Mexico in what was known as the U.S.-Mexican War.

Congress Declares War

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What reasons did the United States Congress and President Polk give for declaring war against Mexico? Select 2

• To end a slave revolt

• To defend U.S. territory

• To stop Mexico from attacking the United States

• To allow slavery to continue

The war lasted from 1846-1848 and ended with American victories at the battles of Veracruz, Cerro Gordo and Mexico City (Mexico's capital). After Mexico's defeat in 1848, Mexican leaders signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to end the U.S.—Mexican War.

Mexico is Defeated

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Circle the battles of Veracruz, Cerro Gordo, and Mexico City.

Mexican leaders signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to end the U.S.—Mexican War. With the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo the United States also acquired several territories from Mexico. Mexico ceded (gave) land to the United States, known as the Mexican Cession. Mexico also accepted the Rio Grande as its border with Texas. In return, the United States paid Mexico $15 million.

Mexican Cession

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The U.S. acquired this territory after the U.S. Mexican War, known as the Mexican Cession.

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What is true about the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo? Select 2

• It ended the war between the U.S. and Mexico

• Mexico allowed slavery

• Mexico lost half of their land

In 1850 a compromise was made which allowed much of the land gained from the U.S.-Mexican War to use popular sovereignty to determine whether the territory would be free or slave. Popular Sovereignty means the people living in the territory would vote to decide on the issue of slavery.

Compromise of 1850

Multiple Choice

Who would decide on the issue of slavery in the territory acquired from Mexico in the U.S.-Mexican War?

• The President of the United States

• Congress

• The People

  "Popular Sovereignty"

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Shade in all the land that belonged to the U.S. after the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Multiple Choice

What was one effect of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

• The United States acquired half of Mexico's territory

• The United States abolished slaver

• The United States agreed The Nueces River to be the border

• Texas remained a Republic

Open Ended

What were the causes and effects of the U.S.-Mexican War?