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The Mexican War and Its Impact: President Polk’s Quest for Expansion

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  1. The Mexican War Chapter 13 Section 3

  2. Polk Urges War • After diplomacy failed, President James K. Polk decided to force the issue • He was determined to gain TX, CA, & NM • In turn, he sent Gen. Zachary Taylor, along w/ 3,500 troops to the north bank of the Rio Grande • On Apr., 25, 1846, a Mexican unit crossed the river and ambushed an American patrol • Polk immediately demanded that Congress declare war on Mexico by stating: • “Mexico has invaded and shed American blood on U.S. soil” • Despite mixed reactions, Congress agreed w/ Polk • By May 1846, Gen. Taylor had led troops into Mexico

  3. Capturing NM & CA • General Stephen Kearny, was in charge of occupying NM • Upon arrival, he simply convinced the Mexican forces to leave w/o firing a shot • Leaving a small force to occupy NM, Kearny then marched directly to CA • CA had only 12,000 Mexican residents • Americans living in CA staged a revolt, and w/ Kearny’s help were able to gain their independence • The CA rebels’ battle flag featured a crude grizzly bear, which led to their independent govt to be called the Bear Flag Republic

  4. Fighting in Mexico • Conquering Mexico proved to be much harder than taking NM & CA • American forces conducted a two-pronged campaign • Gen. Taylor would battle his way south and occupy Santa Anna’s ground forces • Gen. Winfield Scott would sail via the Gulf of Mexico to Veracruz, then march on Mexico City • Both campaigns faced stiff resistance, but were ultimately successful • Taylor was victorious in the north by Feb. 1847 • Scott took the capital in Sept. 1847, which caused Mexico to surrender completely

  5. Impact of Victory • In Feb. 1848, the war ended w/ the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo • The terms of the treaty stated that Mexico would: • Recognize Texas as part of the U.S. • Agree that the Rio Grande would be U.S./Mexico border • Give up the vast region known as the Mexican Cession • This land included all or parts of: NM, AZ, CA, CO, NV, UT, & WY • In return, Mexico received: • $15 million • A promise from the U.S. govt that the 80,000 Mexicans living in TX and the Mexican Cession would be protected • In 1853, the U.S. finalized its current border w/ Mexico • The Gadsden Purchase gave the U.S. a narrow strip of land that is now the southern borderlands of AZ & NM • This land was needed to complete a southern transcontinental railroad • The U.S. bought the land for $10 million

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