Mexican-American War Vocabulary

Causes of the Mexican-American War

• In 1836, Texas declared independence from Mexico, which Mexico did not accept.
• Texans sought annexation by the United States, opposed by Mexico.
• Presidents Jackson, Van Buren, Harrison, and Tyler avoided annexation to prevent conflict with Mexico.
• James K. Polk campaigned on the annexation of Texas and assumed office in 1845.
• Outgoing President John Tyler initiated the annexation process due to popular support after Polk's election.
• Mexico opposed the annexation, increasing diplomatic tensions.
• John Slidell was dispatched to Mexico City with two objectives:
  • Negotiate the purchase of New Mexico and California territories.
  • Resolve the location of the southern border of Mexico.
• Mexico rejected negotiations on both fronts.
• Mexico claimed the border was the Nueces River, while the U.S. asserted it was the Rio Grande.
• In 1846, President Polk deployed General Zachary Taylor and troops to the Rio Grande.
• Mexican troops engaged the American forces, resulting in 11 American deaths.
• Polk used this as justification for war, and Congress declared war on May 13, 1846.

Effects of the Mexican-American War

• The United States gained significant territory.
• The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in 1848, marking the end of the war.
• The treaty established the Rio Grande as the southern border of Texas.
• Mexico ceded California and New Mexico to the U.S. in exchange for 15 million as part of the Mexican Cession.
• Combined with the Gadsden Purchase in 1853, Mexico lost over half of its territory to the U.S.
• The Wilmot Proviso:
  • Proposed by Congressman David Wilmot in 1846.
  • Suggested that slavery should be prohibited in any lands acquired from Mexico.
  • The Wilmot Proviso was ultimately voted down.
  • Highlighted the growing tensions over the slavery issue.
  • Reflected the ideal of free soil, advocating land availability for homesteaders without competition from slavery.
  • Some historians consider it a precursor to the Civil War.
• Impact on People Living in Acquired Lands:
  • The population consisted of Mexicans and Indians.
  • The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo granted U.S. citizenship to Mexicans residing in the territory.
  • Indians were not offered citizenship until the 1930s.
  • Both groups faced voter discrimination and educational segregation.