Section 7: The Mexican-American War and Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Who was General Stephen W. Kearny?

An American general who led troops into the Southwest during the Mexican-American War and captured Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1846.

Who was Captain John C. Frémont?

An American military officer and explorer who helped lead American efforts to take control of California during the Mexican-American War.

Who was General Zachary Taylor?

An American general who led troops in northern Mexico during the Mexican-American War. He won the Battle of Buena Vista in 1847 despite being outnumbered.

What was the Battle of Buena Vista?

A major 1847 battle in which General Zachary Taylor's smaller American force defeated Mexican troops, helping secure American success in northern Mexico.

Who was General Winfield Scott?

An American general who led an invasion of central Mexico and captured Mexico City in 1847, helping bring the war toward an end.

How did the United States gain control of Mexico City?

General Winfield Scott led American troops through a campaign in central Mexico and captured Mexico City in September 1847.

Who was Nicholas Trist?

A State Department chief clerk sent to negotiate peace with Mexico. Despite being ordered to return home, he remained in Mexico and negotiated the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

What was the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

The 1848 treaty that ended the Mexican-American War. Mexico recognized the Rio Grande as the Texas border and ceded a huge amount of territory to the United States.

What territory did the United States gain through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

The United States gained present-day California, Nevada, Utah, most of Arizona and New Mexico, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming, in addition to recognition of its claim to Texas.

How much did the United States pay Mexico under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

The United States paid Mexico $15 million for the territory and agreed to assume certain claims American citizens had against Mexico.

Why did some American expansionists oppose the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

They wanted the United States to take all of Mexico instead of paying for only part of its territory. Others believed the United States had gained enough land.

Why did some antislavery Whigs oppose the treaty?

They feared that the newly acquired territory would allow slavery to expand westward, increasing Southern political power and worsening sectional conflict.

What was the significance of the Mexican-American War for American territorial expansion?

The war greatly expanded the United States, adding enormous amounts of land in the Southwest and along the Pacific Coast and bringing the country closer to spanning the continent.