Texas and the Mexican-American War

1. Texas and the Mexican-American War Chapter 9 Section 2

2. Review Quiz: • 1) What is Manifest Destiny? • 2) What is one cause (idea or real) of Manifest Destiny? • 3) What is the Oregon Trail?

3. I) Texas Independence

4. A) Americans in Mexico • Americans moved into Texas • Became known as Texans • M. allows them to settle there if they agree to become M. citizens • In 1835 there were 30,000 Texans in Texas • Outnumbered Mexicans 6 to 1.

5. B) Causes of Texas Independence: • Racism: • Neither side tries to understand the other • Cultural differences: • Catholics v. Protestants • Spanish v. English

6. B) Causes of Texas Independence: • Slavery: • M outlawed slavery • Texans kept bringing them in • Government: • M. central gov’t v. Texas state gov’t • 1836: Texas declared independence from Mexico

7. C) The Alamo: • M. General Santa Anna • Attacks the Alamo • A fortified mission in San Antonio • After 12 days of resisting Santa Anna captured the Alamo • Executes all the survivors • The Texans became martyrs

8. General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna:

10. Davey Crockett’s Last Stand

11. D) Sam Houston: • “Remember the Alamo” becomes a rallying cry • Sam Houston and the Texans set a trap for Santa Anna at San Jacinto • Killed 630 Mexicans • 32 Texans die • Afraid of being killed, Santa Anna signs a peace treaty • The Treaty of Velasco: • Recognizes Texan Independence • Increases the size of Texas to include parts of Mexico and New Mexico

13. Sam Houston:

14. Disputed Territory after the Treaty of Velasco:

15. E) Border War: • M. refuses to honor the treaty signed by Santa Anna • Only recognize the traditional Texas • A border war continues for a decade

16. II. The Mexican-American war:

17. Why was the land disputed? • Treaty of Velasco signed by Santa Anna and not honored by the Mexican gov’t.

18. A) Annexation: • Sam Houston becomes President of the Texas Republic • Asked the U.S. for annexation. • To be added to another group • The Northerners oppose adding Texas, based on: • Remains an independent country until 1845 • M. views this as an act of war. Slavery

19. Annexation of Texas:

20. B) Causes Leading to War: • M. angry over annexation of Texas • Dispute over Texas/Mexican border • Instability of Mexican government • 19 governments in 25 years • Polk Administration’s drive to expand U.S. • Polk saw his job as creating a coast-to-coast nation • Manifest Destiny

21. B) Causes Leading to War: • Polk sends John Slidell (diplomat) to try and buy the land from M. • $5 million for New Mexico • $25 million for California • Strong anti-U.S. sentiment means M. won’t accept • U.S. General Zachary Taylor crossed the Nueces River in March 1846 and war begins

22. C) War! • American Advantages: • Larger population • Wealthier • Larger navy • Better weapons • An industry to quickly supply war supplies to troops • West Point = Good generals and officers • Including Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, and William T. Sherman

23. C) War! • Santa Anna has resumed his dictatorship in M. • M. divided • America easily wins every major battle. • General Stephen W. Kearny captures New Mexico in the summer of 1846 • U.S. Navy, explorer John C. Fremont and settlers capture California • In September Taylor captures Monterrey

24. General Kearny John C. Fremont

25. The Battle of Monterrey:

26. C) War! • In February 1847, Santa Anna was defeated by a smaller army lead by Taylor at the bloody battle of Buena Vista. • The American army has achieved all of President Polk’s pre-war goals. • Fueled by Manifest Destiny Polk wanted more • General Scott and the U.S. Navy attacked Veracruz • Then marches to Mexico City and captures it in March 1847.

27. The Battle of Veracruz:

28. General Scott Enters Mexico City:

29. General Scott Enters Mexico City:

30. D) Aftermath: • A war of defense had became a war of conquest • Critics said Manifest Destiny meant only conquering “empty land” not land where people already live • Three barriers to Manifest Destiny and conquering M.: • Northern liberals hated conquest • Slavery question • Racism – could the U.S. really incorporate all the 8 million Mexican and Indians?

31. E) Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: • Annexed half of Mexico to the U.S. • Texas, New Mexico and California • Created Rio Grande as international border • U.S. Paid $15 million to Mexico for territory.

32. Homework: • Chapter 9 Section 1: #1, 2, 4, 6