17.2 Mexican-American War

Main Idea The United States expanded its territory westward to stretch from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

Why It Matters Now Today, 1/3 of all Americans live in the areas added to the United States in 1848.

Standards

• • 8.8.2

Describe the purpose, challenges, and economic incentives associated with westward expansion, including the concept of Manifest Destiny (e.g., the Lewis and Clark expedition, accounts of the removal of Indians, the Cherokees’ “Trail of Tears,” settlement of the Great Plains) and the territorial acquisitions that spread numerous decades.

8.8.6

Describe the Texas War for Independence and the Mexican-American War, including territorial settlements, the aftermath of the wars, and the effects the wars had on the lives of Americans, including Mexican-Americans todays.

Daily Guided Questions

1. Why were some people opposed to the war with Mexico?

2. What were the causes and effects of the Mexican-American War?

3. How did the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo help the United States achieve Manifest Destiny?

Quick Write • Response to the following quick write prompt: “What would the consequences be if the Mexican-American War never occurred? What if California was still Mexican territory?” • Response with at least 60 words.

1845 • Texas

annexed

(to add on) onto the United States.

1845

• Diplomat John Slidell sent to Mexico to buy terr. between New Mexico and California for $25 million.

-Mexico refused.

-Santa Anna ousted.

1846 • Polk sends General Zachary Taylor to patrol border.

• • -9 American troops killed in skirmish Mexican-American War begins. Due to the annexation of Texas and border disputes.

Mexico does not want to more land.

cede

(give up)

PROS & CONS PROS • Westerners • -More land for farming.

Southerners -More land for cotton production.

-Spread slavery.

CONS • Northerners • -Spread slavery.

Abe. Lincoln’s Spot Resolution

.

-Show us the “spot” of American soil where blood was spilled.

• Gen.

Stephen Kearny

sent to occupy New Mexico and then California.

1846-1847

• • Southern California under American control due to the Bear Flag Rebellion.

John C. Fremont

becomes its leader.

Monterey and San Francisco captured.

War in Mexico, 1846-1847 • Zachary Taylor, captured Monterrey, and beat Santa Anna at the Battle of Buena Vista.

• Winfield Scott, captured Veracruz and Mexico City.

-Chapultepec, boy soldiers defended fort, but lost.

1848 •

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

formally ends war.

•

Mexican Cession

, territory lost California, Nevada, Utah, parts of Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico.

• USA gives Mexico $18 million.

1853

•

Gadsden Purchase

, USA pays Mexico $10 million for a narrow strip of land in New Mexico and Arizona. (look on page 332)

WHAT/WHY IMPORTANT/AS A RESULT • Create a vocabulary chart using the WHAT/WHY IMPORTANT/AS A RESULT graphic organizer. • Choose three of your own words.

• Use pages 318-341.