Mexican American War

Study guide

Expansionism & Manifest Destiny

Belief that the U.S. was destined to expand westward.

Texas Annexation (1845)

Mexico refused to recognize Texas as independent.

Border Dispute

U.S. claimed the Rio Grande, while Mexico claimed the Nueces River.

Thornton Affair (1846)

Skirmish between U.S. and Mexican troops in disputed territory.

Battle of the Alamo (1836)

Texas revolution battle, delayed Mexican troops.

Battle of Buena Vista (1847)

U.S. forces, led by Zachary Taylor, defeated Mexico.

Battle of San Jacinto (1836)

Texas, led by Sam Houston, won independence.

James K. Polk

U.S. President, supported war for territorial expansion.

John Slidell

Diplomat sent to buy California & New Mexico, mission failed.

Nicholas Trist

Negotiated Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

General Santa Anna

Mexican leader who lost Texas.

Sam Houston

First President of the Lone Star Republic.

John C. Calhoun

Opposed war due to concerns about sectional balance.

John O'Sullivan

Coined term Manifest Destiny.

Abraham Lincoln

Introduced Spot Resolution, questioning Polk's claims.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)

Mexico agreed to the Rio Grande as the border.

U.S. acquired

California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah.

U.S. paid

$15 million for the territory.

Mexican citizens in new U.S. land

Guaranteed property rights.

Wilmot Proviso

Proposed banning slavery in new territories (not passed).

Gadsden Purchase (1853)

U.S. bought southern Arizona & New Mexico.

California's Statehood Controversy

Sparked debate over slavery expansion.

Led to Civil War tensions

Expansion of slavery became a divisive issue.

Manifest Destiny

Belief in U.S. territorial expansion.

Spot Resolution

Lincoln questioned location of the first attack.

Wilmot Proviso

Attempt to ban slavery in newly acquired land.

Thornton Affair

Attack used as justification for war.

Gadsden Purchase

Finalized modern U.S.-Mexico border.