Mexican American War

Annexation of Texas

US at first didn't want to annex Texas b/c of slavery reasons. Then they tried and Mexicans threatened border raids and war. Texas was re-annexed when Polk was president.

boundary dispute

Polk wanted CA, New Mexico and south west states but his offer to purchase them was rejected. Polk instigated fight by having Taylor and 4000 men go through disputed zone between Rio grande and Nueces rivers.

Slidell's Rejection

had to negotiate a deal with Mexico. Instructed to offer a settlement of all U.S. claims against Mexico, in exchange for recognition of Rio Grande as the boundary between US and Mexico. Had to try and buy CA for 25 million. Mexicans rejected Slidell.

American Blood has been shed on American soil

Polk told Taylor and 4000 troops to travel across Nueces River. Polk heard that the Mexican army fired on Taylor's soldiers and he claimed that the Mexicans had invaded the United States and that "American Blood has Been Shed on American Soil."

For/Against Mexican War

For:it gave america california

it was a rise to manifest destiny

navy marine corps and army proved to be stable

polk sent a message to congress saying mexicans passed the boundaries and killed americans

favored a rapid expansion

opened up opportunities for self advancement

Against:13000 americans killed

ugly turning point for american and latin relationship

Battle of San Jacinto (Battle of Santa Anna)

-Fought on April 21, 1836

-In present-day Harris County, Texas

-Was a decisive battle of the Texas Revolution

-Led by General Sam Houston

-The Texian Army engaged and defeated General Antonio López de Santa Anna's Mexican army in a fight that lasted just 18 minutes

Battle of Palo Alto

-1st major engagement of the U.S.-Mexican War

-Fought on May 8, 1846, just north of present-day Brownsville, Texas

-Victory was the result of US artillery

-Marianna Artista=leader of mexican army

-Zachary Taylor was the leader of American army

-3700 mexican troops vs 2,300 american soldiers

Battle of Monterey

-General Taylor's army followed the Mexican troops to Monterey and fought to take control of this city. "The fighting was fierce. In the end, it came down to hand-to-hand combat in the city streets. But again, the American army was victorious."

-Was in July

-Resulted in short lived California republic

Battle at Buena Vista

-Generals Taylor and Wool and their troops were largely outnumbered when they met General Santa Anna and troops near Buena Vista

-Yet, they still claimed the victory, one that earned General Taylor much attention and respect

-General Winfield Scott and his outnumbered troops fight through Santa Anna's army and have an open path to Mexico City

Battle of Mexico City

-General Winfield Scott and troops arrive in Mexico's capital city and fight their final battle against a wearied Mexican army

-The victory and occupation of the city by the U.S. on Sept. 14 marks the unofficial end of the Mexican-American War

Mexican Cession

Land that Mexico gave up for 15 million. Includes Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, California, Nevada, and Wyoming

Completes Manifest Destiny

It ended b/c there was no more land to gain, there was no more west. They already reached the Pacific.

Sectional Conflict of the Slavery Expansion

Northerners wanted new land to be slave free, South wanted new land to have slaves. They made a Compromise of 1850 that says CA is slave free and Utah and New Mexico could have slaves. Wanted slavery to be confined and then gone.

Battlefield experience for American Officers

Mexican war was training for Civil War. Had to learn how to fight and win battles. Zachary Taylor, George McClellan, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, and Stonewall Jackson all famous

Dress Rehearsal for American Civil War

Mexican Battle training ground for soldiers, lieutenants and generals. Many of those who fought in Mexican American War was in the Civil War. Became valuable b/c of their experience.

treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Signed Feb. 1848. Ratified by US March 10th and by mexico May 25th. US had to pay 15 million for CA and New mexico. American army was better than Mexican, Costs US over 100 million.

After Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Mexico and US stayed tense for decades after. Several military encounters along border. Peace agreement was made that US pays Mexico 15 million for CA and New Mexico and then they let Mexicans in those territories become US citizens.

James K Polk

-11th president

-Democratic Party

-administration lowered tariffs and established an independent Federal Treasury

Winnfield Scott

General in Mexican War. Had successful 5 month campaign from Veracruz to Mexico City. Officers and Polk's Administration honored Whig General so Scott was recalled and replaced. Got gold metal and offered to be Lieutenant general.

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna

Military Captain

elected president of Mexico

Lost battle of Texas and most of West to US

president 11 times

Zachary taylor

12th president of US

President term March 4th 1849 to July 9th 1850

was in war of 1812

Old Rough and the Ready

Commodore John Sloat

Commander of US Pacific Squadron

In navy, served aboard u.s.s. United States in 1812

seize CA

helps captain John C Fremont in Bear Flag Revolt

military governor

commander of norfolk naval yard

Nicholas Trist

Practiced law

Andrew jackson's private secretary

chief clerk of state department in 1845

secretary of state, was agent to help negotiate with Mexico

Stephen Watts Kearney

frontier officer and he was a significant helper in the conquest of California