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 Overland Immigration to the Westto the West

Overland Immigration Overland Immigration to the Westto the West

Between 1840 and 1860, more than250,000 people made the trekwestward.

Between 1840 and 1860, more than250,000 people made the trekwestward.

Trails WestwardTrails WestwardTrails WestwardTrails Westward

U.S. and Britain Don’t Like Each Other….

• 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: The Oregon Dispute: 5544 ’’ 40º or Fight! 40º or Fight!

The Oregon Dispute: The Oregon Dispute: 5544 ’’ 40º or Fight! 40º or Fight!

By the mid-1840s,“Oregon Fever ” wasspurred on by thepromise of free land.

By the mid-1840s,“Oregon Fever ” wasspurred on by thepromise 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: The Slidell Mission: Nov., 1845Nov., 1845

The Slidell Mission: The Slidell Mission: Nov., 1845Nov., 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 Mexicoarea for $5,000,000.

US would buy California at any price (offered $30 million).

Mexico refused again: U.S. decides to take by force.

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 Mexicoarea 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 SlidellJohn 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 RepublicThe Bear Flag RepublicThe Bear Flag RepublicThe Bear Flag Republic

John C. FrémontJohn C.

Frémont

The Revolt June 14, 1845

The Revolt June 14, 1845

General Scott Enters General Scott Enters Mexico CityMexico City

General Scott Enters General Scott Enters Mexico CityMexico City

“Old Fuss and Feathers”

“Old Fuss and Feathers”

Treaty of Guadalupe-Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848Hidalgo, 1848

Treaty of Guadalupe-Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848Hidalgo, 1848

Nicholas Trist,American

Negotiator

Nicholas Trist,American

Negotiator

Treaty of Guadalupe-Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848Hidalgo, 1848

Treaty of Guadalupe-Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848Hidalgo, 1848

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).

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 Treaty was basically forced on Mexico!

The Mexican CessionThe Mexican CessionThe Mexican CessionThe Mexican Cession

Results of the Mexican Results of the Mexican War?War?

Results of the Mexican Results of the Mexican War?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???

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???