U.S.

History I
Mr. Bonafede

The Mexican War (1846-48)

1. Background
▪ Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with the U.S. because:
• U.S. annexed Texas in 1845
• Feared losing their provinces of California and New Mexico where hundreds of
Americans had settled

▪ The U.S., in turn, had grievances with Mexico:

• Mistreatment of Americans in Mexican territory

2. Boundary Disputes Lead to War

▪ Dispute concerning the southern boundary of Texas
• Mexican claim = Nueces River
• U.S. claim = Rio Grande River

▪ President Polk sent John Slidell to negotiate the boundary dispute and to purchase
California and New Mexico for $30 million (Slidell Mission)

▪ When Mexico refused to negotiate, Polk ordered American troops under Gen. Zachary
Taylor into the disputed area

▪ Mexico responded by declaring war and sending troops across the Rio Grande River

▪ In retaliation Polk asked Congress for a declaration of war; Congress responded - war
was declared on May 12, 1846

3. Mexico is Easily Defeated

▪ American troops assumed and maintained the offense

▪ The U.S. invaded Mexico from many directions

• Gen. Zachary Taylor from the south (Battle Buena Vista)
• Col. Stephan Kearney took control of New Mexico
• Col. John C. Fremont conquered California
• Gen. Winfield Scott captured Mexico City
✔ Mexico surrendered Sept. 1847

4. The Peace Treaty

▪ The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo (1848):
• Mexico accepted the Rio Grande as the U.S.'s southern border
• Mexico ceded to the U.S. the territories of New Mexico and California
(Mexican Cession)

▪ Five years later, in 1853, the U.S. paid Mexico $10 million for the small strip of land long
present-day southern Arizona (Gadsden Purchase)
5. Significant Effects of the War with Mexico
▪ Triumph for "manifest destiny" (gained 25% of the present continental U.S.)

▪ A new West, rich in natural resources, was opened to settlers

▪ Gave military experience to soldiers who later became Civil War leaders

▪ Reopened the slavery controversy by renewing the dispute over whether or not the
newly acquired territory was to be open to slavery