Chapter 9Section 4

Chapter 9

President Timeline

1828 1832 1836-1840 1844-1848

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A. Jackson A. Jackson Martin *James K. Polk

elected elected Van Buren

Warm Up 11/15/2017Why did the Texans revolt against the Mexican leader, Santa Anna?

What was the result of the Texas Revolution?

Chapter 9 Section 4: War With Mexico

I. President James K. Polk

A. Believed in “Manifest Destiny”

B. Annexed Texas to the United States – 1845

1. Problem:

Border between Texas and Mexico

a. U.S.: Wanted Rio Grande River

b. Mexico: Wanted the Nueces River

C. Pres. Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico:

1. Purpose:

a. Buy California

b. Buy New Mexico

c. Rio Grande as Texas border

2. Result:

a. Mexican officials refused to receive him

D. Mexican War Began: 1846

1. Pres. Polk sent General Zachary Taylor to blockade Rio Grande River with soldiers on Mexico’s side

a. Mexico viewed as action against territorial rights

b. U.S. split over military action:

1. North against – feared spread of slavery

2. South wanted to expand slavery

2. Mexico sent soldiers across Rio Grande

a. Fighting began: 1846

1. Mexican soldiers killed 9 U.S. soldiers

2. Pres. Polk asked Congress for a declaration of war against Mexico because

“American blood was spilled on American soil”

3. Many historians believe Pres. Polk provoked the war by sending troops to the Rio Grande.

4. Both the House of Rep and the Senate voted for war by large margins.

3. Kearny marched west:

a. From Kansas to New Mexico

b. Nickname “The Long Marcher”

c. Led soldiers 800 miles (1600 men – 500 Mormon Battalion men with families)

d. New Mexico fell to the United States without a shot being fired.

e. Marched on to California.

4. Republic of California: 1846

a. Captain John C. Fremont:

1. Led a group of 500 U.S. settlers to explore California

2. When war began, settlers seized town of Sonoma

3. Hoisted bear flag and declared Republic of California

4. U.S. Navy captured Monterey, CA, and claimed CA for U.S.

5. War in Mexico: 1846-1847

a. General Zachary Taylor troops captured Monterey, Mexico.

b. General Winfield Scott troops captured

1. Veracruz, Mexico

2. Mexico City, Mexico

6. Results:

a. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: 1848

1. Rio Grande border of Texas

2. U.S. paid Mexico $15 million

3. Gained land called “Mexican Cession” - Enlarged U.S. by 1/3

Present-day states:

a. California

b. Nevada

c. Utah

d. New Mexico

e. Most of AZ, parts of Wyoming, Colorado

b. Gadsden Purchase: 1853

1. $10 million for land between Phx and Tucson