California & War with California & War with MexicoMexico

By Mr. LinderBy Mr. Linder

Who was here?Who was here?

• Californios – Mexican colonists who felt Californios – Mexican colonists who felt little connection to their far away little connection to their far away government.government.

• California only had about 12,000 colonistsCalifornia only had about 12,000 colonists

• Most were traders, trappers, travelers, Most were traders, trappers, travelers, and a few settlers from the U.S. – about and a few settlers from the U.S. – about 500.500.

Conflict Breaks Out!Conflict Breaks Out!

• Mexico believed the border between Mexico believed the border between itself and the U.S. was the Nueces itself and the U.S. was the Nueces River. The U.S. believed it was the River. The U.S. believed it was the Rio Grande River.Rio Grande River.

• In June of 1845 – President James K. In June of 1845 – President James K. Polk orders General Zachary Taylor Polk orders General Zachary Taylor into the disputed area.into the disputed area.

U.S. / Mexico Border DisputeU.S. / Mexico Border Dispute

President James K. PolkPresident James K. Polk

An Offer To Buy!?An Offer To Buy!?

• While Taylor was in “Mexico”, While Taylor was in “Mexico”, President Polk sent an offer to buy President Polk sent an offer to buy New Mexico & California for 30 New Mexico & California for 30 millionmillion

• The offer is REJECTED!The offer is REJECTED!

Meantime . . .Meantime . . .

• Taylor is camped with his troops in the Taylor is camped with his troops in the disputed area of the Rio Grande River.disputed area of the Rio Grande River.

• Mexican forces told Taylor to leave Mexican forces told Taylor to leave Mexican Territory. Mexican Territory.

• Taylor refuses to leave and the two Taylor refuses to leave and the two armies clash.armies clash.

• Several U.S. Soldiers die – and Polk Several U.S. Soldiers die – and Polk declares war on Mexico!declares war on Mexico!

Quote from James K. Polk! Quote from James K. Polk! (Cause) (Cause)

•““Mexico has passed the Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory, and has invaded our territory, and shed American blood upon the shed American blood upon the American soil. The two nations American soil. The two nations are now at war.”are now at war.”

Bear Flag Revolt!Bear Flag Revolt!•SettlersSettlers – only 500 Americans vs. about – only 500 Americans vs. about

12,000 Californios in 184612,000 Californios in 1846

•RevoltRevolt – Americans seized Sonoma and – Americans seized Sonoma and declared California an Independent declared California an Independent Nation in 1846 – starting the bear flag Nation in 1846 – starting the bear flag revolt.revolt.

•FremontFremont – leader of the U.S. army on a – leader of the U.S. army on a “mapping” expedition, entered CA to “mapping” expedition, entered CA to support independence.support independence.

John C. Fremont – Army John C. Fremont – Army CaptainCaptain

The California Bear FlagThe California Bear Flag

California Flag Today:California Flag Today:

Treaty of Guadalupe HidalgoTreaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo• Mexico gives up present-day CA, NV, Mexico gives up present-day CA, NV,

UT, AZ, NM, CO, and WY.UT, AZ, NM, CO, and WY.

• New TX boundary at Rio GrandeNew TX boundary at Rio Grande

• Mexicans protected - their free Mexicans protected - their free enjoyment of property, liberty, & enjoyment of property, liberty, & religion.religion.

• Increased size of U.S. by 25%Increased size of U.S. by 25%

After Effects:After Effects:

• Americans FLOODED into the SouthwestAmericans FLOODED into the Southwest

• New American settlers abused residents New American settlers abused residents to control land, water, and minerals.to control land, water, and minerals.

• Most Mexicans, Mexican Americans, and Most Mexicans, Mexican Americans, and Native Americans faced legal, economic, Native Americans faced legal, economic, and social discrimination.and social discrimination.