1. Mexican-American War Causes, Courses, and Consequences

2. Introduction • Election of 1844 James K. Polk defeated Henry Clay • Main Goals • Oregon Question • Acquisition of California

3. “On to Oregon” Settling the Oregon question • By 1840’s 5,000 Americans were in the shared territory • British wanted everything to the 1819 Treaty line • Americans wanted to 54°40 N, many ready to go to war “54 40 or fight” • Compromised on 49°N

4. Acquisition of California • Many Americans wanted more direct trade with Asia • Manifest Destiny • Polk was willing to buy California from Mexico

5. Causes of the Mexican American War • Annexation of Texas • Many hesitant to Annex Texas • Feared war with Mexico • Feared the expansion of slavery • The constitutionality of annexation was unclear • Soon after election of Polk on an expansionist program bill passed by Congress to accept Texas

6. Provocations by United States • General Taylor sent to establish a base in the disputed area between the Nueces and Rio Grande Rivers to defend Texas from invasion by the Mexicans and invade Texas if necessary • When Mexico refused to sell New Mexico, settle border dispute Taylor was ordered into the disputed region • Naval squadron in the Pacific ordered to invade California ports if war broke out

7. Course of Events • 1846 • Americans campaign in northern Mexico captures Monterey • Troops leave Fort Leavenworth in Kansas to capture Santa Fe and then on to California • Pacific Naval Squadron captures California coastal towns with the help of American settlers

8. 1847 • American troops under Winfield Scott capture Tampico , Vera Cruz and then march on and capture Mexico City

9. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo • February 1848 • Mexico ceded California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah • Mexico recognized Texas as American territory as far south as the Rio Grande • United States withdrew all troops from Mexico • United States paid Mexico 15 million • United States assumed U.S. citizen claims against Mexico

11. Effects of the Mexican-American War • Huge acquisition of land • Permanent borders with British Canada and Mexico • United States stretches from Atlantic to Pacific Coast

12. Summing Up • Causes • Course • Effects