The Mexican War 1846-1848

1. The Mexican War1846-1848 A War of Manifest Destiny or a War of Liberation and Self Defense?

2. 1846 • In 1846 the United States went to war with Mexico. When the war started many observers expected the Mexican army to beat the forces of the United States but by the time the war ended in 1848 the United States had decisively defeated the Mexicans and had acquired a tremendous amount of land, including all or parts of California, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and also Texas’ entry into the United States was validated by this war. How could the United States beat Mexico so convincingly and acquire so much land?

3. Texas Becomes A Focal Point • In 1824 a revolution freed Mexico from Spain and the Mexicans tried to establish a democracy in which all of its people were protected by their constitution • Mexico was one of the largest countries in the world at that time and communications with out lying regions were difficult • Yankees from the United States begin to filter into the northern Mexican state of Texas in the late 1820’s and soon this trickle became a steady stream

4. Stephen Austin • Stephen Austin made a deal with the Mexicans to allow Americans to enter Texas if they became Roman Catholic, obeyed all of the laws of Mexico, and became Mexican citizens

5. The Alamo • The Alamo was a former mission of the Jesuits. By 1835 it was used as a military station and was garrisoned by Mexican soldiers. In late 1835 the Texicans rebelled against the Mexican government and captured the Alamo.

6. The Mexican Reaction • The Mexicans could not allow the Texans to rebel and soon a Mexican army was marching across the plains of northern Mexico and southern Texas to crush the rebellion • The Mexicans were led by their president, Santa Anna, who was actually a dictator • The weather was bad and the march was tough but the Mexican soldiers were tough and they knew how to fight – and how to die if necessary – they were veterans of many battles

7. The Leaders at the Alamo Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna Davy Crockett William Travis Jim Bowie

8. The Siege of the Alamo – February 23 – March 6, 1836 • For 13 days the Mexicans besieged the old mission. Mexican artillery pounded the adobe walls. The Texicans huddled down behind the walls and hoped for the best. Colonel Travis sent couriers out with appeals for help. General Santa Anna prepared his army for a grand assault and early in the morning of March 6, 1836, the Mexicans attacked the Alamo. There was great valor and heroism on both sides but when it was over all of the defenders of the Alamo were dead. Crockett, Bowie, Travis and many others – all gone.

9. Goliad • Colonel William Fannin tried to go to help the Alamo but turned back when a wagon broke down. He stayed inside the walls of Goliad. After the Mexicans took the Alamo a large contingent moved toward Goliad. After a short fight Fannin surrendered, with the understanding of safety if he did surrender. Santa Anna countermanded his generals and ordered all of the Texicans to be killed. The Texicans were marched out onto the plains and executed by the Mexican soldiers

10. San Jacinto • The Mexican army chased Sam Houston northward and Houston kept retreating. His men were furious with their general and many wanted to get rid of Houston. In April, 1836, Houston stopped along the San Jacinto River and allowed Santa Anna to catch up with the Texan army. Houston had the river to his back and Santa Anna “knew” that he had already won the battle. The Mexicans took a siesta and Houston attacked. The attack was a complete surprise and the Mexicans were slaughtered. Over 800 Mexicans were killed in a very short time and almost all of the rest were captured. Houston was wounded and Santa Anna was captured. Santa Anna was forced to sign a treaty allowing Texas to become a free and independent state.

11. The Republic of Texas Was Created • Sam Houston became the first president of the independent country of Texas • The Texans looked to the United States and many wanted to be annexed to the U.S. • The boundaries of Texas were not clear, and the southern boundary (the one with Mexico) would cause trouble • Texas claimed the Rio Grande as its southern boundary and Mexico said that the boundary was the Nueces River, almost 150 miles to the north of the Rio Grande

12. Manifest Destiny • Many people in the United States believed that it was their “God given right to expand to their natural boundaries.” • Where were, or are, our natural boundaries? • Did God really give us this mandate? • Were there any people in these lands already?

13. James K. Polk Becomes President • James K. Polk was a STRONG believer in the Manifest Destiny of the United States • Polk, a Democrat, was a dark horse candidate but he wins the election • Before Polk can take office Congress annexes Texas to the Union and sets the stage for war with Mexico • Polk offered Mexico $20,000,000 for California and New Mexico but naturally Mexico refused

14. The Border Issue • Both Mexico and the United States sent troops into the area around the Rio Grande • Mexican forces attack and capture an American patrol and the United States declares war on Mexico – this was called the Thornton Affair – President Polk said, “American blood has been shed on American soil.”

15. Americans Rush to Arms • The war was strongly supported in the southern part of the United States but not in the northern states • Over 90,000 men will be sent to Texas and Mexico • The regular American army was relatively small so most of the soldiers were volunteers

16. Fighting Breaks Out In Texas and Northern Mexico • April 25, 1846 The Thornton Affair • May 3-8, 1846 Fort Texas Siege • May Battle of Palo Alto • May 9, 1846 Battle of Resaca de la Palma

17. The Yankees Take California • The U.S. Navy helps the army to land in California • Battles were fought at Dominguez Rancho on October 7, 1846, Tampico on November 14, Saltillo and Natividad on November 16, San Pasqual on December 6, Santa Clara on January 2, 1847, Rio San Gabriel and La Mesa on January 9. These last two secured Los Angeles for the Yankees • Many Califorians of Spanish descent helped the Yankees • The Bear Republic was set up by Americans early in this struggle as many Americans wanted to bring California into the Union

18. The Americans Attack Vera Cruz • Vera Cruz was the spot where Cortez landed in 1519 and started his conquest of the Aztecs • On March 9, 1847 10,000 Americans land at Vera Cruz and lay siege to the city • After 20 days of almost constant bombardment the city surrenders

19. Scott Moves Inland To Capture Mexico City • Scott basically follows Cortez’s old invasion route • Battles are fought at Cerro Gordo on April 18, 1847, at Contreras on August 20, at Churubusco on August 20, at Molino Del Rey on September 8, Chapultepec on September 13, Mexico City on September 13 and 14 • On September 15, 1847 American troops occupy Mexico City!

20. The March To Mexico City • General Scott’s army was outnumbered and dependent on a long supply line so Scott abandoned his supply line and bought food from the Mexican civilians – the U.S. army paid cash for food and got along with the civilians pretty well • Scott needed information on the area and one of his best scouts was Robert E. Lee • Lee was an engineer and on Scott’s staff • Lee volunteered to scout the enemy positions and repeatedly risked his life to bring back vital information that allowed Scott to outfox the Mexicans and defeat them in every battle

21. The Americans Storm the Halls of Montezuma! • Mexico City was well defended by troops and stonewalls • American infantry scale the walls and carry the Stars and Stripes over the ramparts

22. American Heroes In The Mexican War • Winfield Scott Jefferson Davis • Robert E. Lee Zachery Taylor • Thomas J. Jackson James Longstreet • U.S. Grant Braxton Bragg • George Pickett Don Carlos Buell • Stephen Kearny William Hardee • Commodore Perry George McClellan • John Reynolds George Meade • Pierre Beauregard John Pemberton • Do you recognize any of these names? Do they play a role in any other chapter in our history?

23. The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo • On September 15, 1847 the American Army occupied Mexico City • On February 2, 1848 The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo was signed – this treaty established peace between the two countries and gave a vast amount of land to the United States – California, New Mexico, Arizona, parts of Utah and Nevada, and acknowledged that Texas was part of the U.S. • The treaty established the southern boundary of Texas as the center of the Rio Grande River • The United States paid the Mexicans $15,000.000 to help them rebuild their country and forgave Mexican debts against American citizens • This treaty was negotiated for the U.S. by Nicholas Trist who was the Chief Clerk for the State Department

24. Some Results of the Mexican War • The United States gained a vast amount of land (almost one third of the continental U.S.) • Mexico lost a vast amount of land and its government fell several times during the war • American Manifest Destiny was validated • Thousands of American soldiers were trained in this war and they would use that knowledge in the American Civil War • New markets were created for the American economy • Boundary disputes would continue • The acquisition of all of this land would force the United States to deal with the question of the expansion of slavery into the territories – and the question of slavery itself