Transcript War with Mexico PowerPoint

War with Mexico
Chapter 17
Objective #1
• Assess the extent to which the idea of
Manifest Destiny affected the United
States’ policy toward other countries
including:
– Oregon border settlement
– Annexation of Texas
– Mexican War
– Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Objective #2
• Assess the extent to which the idea of
Manifest Destiny and the associated
expansion affected politics within the
United States as illustrated by:
– Compromise of 1820
– Dispute over the impact on slavery of the
admission of Texas
– Protests against the Mexican War
Objective #3
• Outline the major conflicts between
Britain and the United States during the
Antebellum Period.
Objective #4
• Outline the causes and effects of the
Mexican War.
John Tyler
• President after
Harrison’s death
• “His Accidency”
• Whig in name only
• Actually favored
Democrats
• Vetoed National Bank,
higher tariff, etc.
• Kicked out of Whig
Party while still
President.
Democrats Split over Texas
• Northern Democrats
backed Martin Van
Buren
– Opposed annexation
• Southern Democrats
backed John C.
Calhoun
– Favored annexation
• Darkhorse James K.
Polk was nominated
– Protégé of Andrew
Jackson
– Strongly believed in
manifest destiny
Henry Clay Won’t Go Away
• Whigs nominate Henry
Clay
– Clay tried to sit on the
fence in regards to Texas
– Alienated a group of
antislavery Whigs in New
York
– Group voted for third
party (the antislavery
“Liberty Party”)
– Cost Clay election
Election of 1844
Texas
• Lame Duck John Tyler pushed Texas’
statehood in 1845
– Election of Polk was a sign to him that U.S. was in
favor of annexation and pro-manifest destiny
• Constitution: 2/3 of Senate needs to approve
a treaty of annexation.
• Tyler pushed a “joint-resolution” which
required a majority of both houses.
• Joint-resolution passed, Texas was annexed
and statehood was approved in 1845.
Overland Immigration to the West
 Between 1840 and
1860, more than
250,000 people
made the trek
westward.
Trails Westward
U.S. and Britain Don’t Like
Each Other….
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American Revolution
War of 1812
Portrayals in literature
Caroline Incident
Aroostook War: Border dispute in Maine
(resulted in Webster-Ashburton Treaty)
• Oregon?
Oregon
• U.S. and Britain have joint-occupation
• Manifest Destiny
– 5,000 Americans traveled the Oregon Trail
to settle south of Columbia River
– “Oregon Fever”
• Democrats want Oregon in 1844 (54’ 40
or Fight!)
The Oregon Dispute: 54’ 40º or Fight!
 By the mid-1840s,
“Oregon Fever” was
spurred on by the
promise of free land.
Polk Proposes Compromise
• U.S. offers to set boundary at 49th parallel.
• Britain refuses because U.S. would get
Columbia River
• Britain realizes error and accepts U.S. offer in
1846
– U.S. had been willing to negotiate further as war
with Mexico had broken out
– Could not fight Mexico and Britain
• Polk now sets eyes on California
California
• Population=87,000 in 1845
• Owned by Mexico
• Polk offers to buy California for $25
million and was refused.
• Angry Polk decides to start war with
Mexico.
Texas Border Dispute
The Slidell Mission: Nov., 1845
 Mexican recognition of the Rio
Grande River as the TX-US border.
 US would forgive American citizens’
claims against the Mexican govt.
 US would purchase the New Mexico
area for $5,000,000.
 US would buy California at any price (offered $30
million).
 Mexico refused again: U.S. decides to take by force.
John Slidell
Polk Wants to Force Mexico to
Make a Move
• 1846: Polk orders General Zachary
Taylor and 3500 into Rio Grande valley.
– Mexico attacks seeing this as an act of
war.
– 16 Americans die.
• Congress declares war on Mexico.
• Whigs against war, Democrats for war
U.S. Dominates
• Major victories: Santa Fe, Vera Cruz, Buena
Vista and California.
– Stephen Kearny in New Mexico and southern
California
– Zachary Taylor in Northern Mexico
– John C. Fremont in northern California
– Winfield Scott in Vera Cruz and will lead charge
into Mexico City
• Bear Flag Republic proclaimed in California.
The Bear Flag Republic
The Revolt  June 14, 1845
John C. Frémont
General Scott Enters Mexico City
“Old Fuss and Feathers”
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848
Nicholas Trist,
American Negotiator
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848
The Treaty was basically forced on Mexico!
 Mexico gave up claims to Texas above the Rio
Grande River.
 Mexico gave the U. S. California and New Mexico.
 U. S. gave Mexico $15,000,000 and agreed to pay the claims of
American citizens against Mexico (over $3,500,000).
The Mexican Cession
Results of the Mexican War?
1. The 17-month war cost $100,000,000 and 13,000+
American lives (mostly of disease).
2. New territories were brought into the Union which forced the explosive
issue of SLAVERY to the center of national politics.
* Brought in 1 million sq. mi. of land (incl. TX)
3. These new territories would upset the balance of power between North and
South.
4. Created two popular Whig generals who ran for President.
5. Manifest Destiny partially realized.
6. Prelude to Civil War???