Section 2: The Mexican War

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Chapter 10

• Section 2 The Mexican War Slavery Extension

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Annexation of Texas

• 1836- Texas voted to be annexed by the US
• Protect themselves from Mexico
• Debate
• South Democrats wanted it- slave state?
• North Whigs opposed- shift the balance of power

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• Worried it would lead to a war with Mexico
• John Tyler signed a treaty of annexation with
  Texas in April 1844
• June- Whigs controlled Senate defeated the treaty

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• Feb. 1845 Congress approved the treaty
• December 1845- Texas became the 28th state

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War with Mexico

• March- Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with
  the US
• Boundary dispute
• Polk wanted more than Texas
• Sent Ambassador John Slidell to Mexico City with
  an offer to buy NM CA for 30 million

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• Mexican government refused to receive Slidell
• Polk sent 3,000 troops under General Zachary
  Taylor into southern Texas
• set up camp between the Rio Grande Nueces
  Rivers
• Mexico attacked

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• Polk asked for a declaration of war
• Mexican war was declared on May 13, 1846

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Bear Flag Revolt

• Group of settlers launched a surprise attack on
  Sonoma proclaimed the Republic of CA
• Captain John Fremont helped the rebels push the
  Mexican army out of CA

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• July 1846 US troops under General Stephen Kearny
  crossing into New Mexico
• Occupied Santa Fe by mid August
• Then marched to CA to join Fremont
• Together defeated the Mexican Army

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Fighting in Mexico

• Taylor took the war into Mexico
• Battle of Buena Vista Feb. 1847
• Met Santa Anna 20,000 troops
• US won Santa Anna retreated
• Polk dispatched forces under General Winfield
  Scott to Mexico City

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• March 1847- Scott captured Veracruz, then marched
  to Mexico City
• Defeated Santa Annas forces ended the war on
  September 14th

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The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Terms
• Mexico gave up its claim to Texas recognized
  the Rio Grande as the border
• Mexico gave NM CA to the US

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• US paid Mexico 15 million
• US agreed to pay claim made by American citizens
  against Mexico
• 1853 Mexican government sold 30,000 square miles
  of NM Arizona to US for 10 million
• Known as Gadsden Purchase

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• Effects of the war
• Established boundaries of continental US
• Left many Mexicans deeply bitter towards the US
  decades of poor relations misunderstanding
• Opened the doors for a large wave of immigration

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The Wilmot Proviso

• Brought the question of slavery into politics
• Worried about the balance of power
• Slavery not allowed in the new land
• Congress didnt pass it
• Never became law