The Mexican-American War

The Mexican-American The Mexican-American WarWar

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With this PowerPoint you will learn about:With this PowerPoint you will learn about: The reasons for people flocking to TexasThe reasons for people flocking to Texas Why Mexico closed its’ bordersWhy Mexico closed its’ borders Who were the main people involvedWho were the main people involved What were the major battlesWhat were the major battles What was the overall outcome of the warWhat was the overall outcome of the war

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Menu PageMenu PageExpansion in Texas

Main Individuals

How It Started

Major Battles

Outcomes of the War

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Expansion In TexasExpansion In Texas

For Americans, land represented potential For Americans, land represented potential income, wealth, self-sufficiency and income, wealth, self-sufficiency and freedom. Expansion into the western freedom. Expansion into the western frontiers offered opportunities for self-frontiers offered opportunities for self-advancement. advancement.

Nearly 4,000,000 Americans moved to Nearly 4,000,000 Americans moved to western territories between 1820 and 1850. western territories between 1820 and 1850.

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Mexico achieved its independence from Mexico achieved its independence from Spain in 1821, but the country suffered Spain in 1821, but the country suffered terribly from the struggle (economic terribly from the struggle (economic struggles) struggles)

Mexico won vast northern territories with Mexico won vast northern territories with its independence from Spain. These its independence from Spain. These borderlands were under populated and borderlands were under populated and were not very productive initially were not very productive initially

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This area needed help because of:This area needed help because of: Native American attacks (Comanche)Native American attacks (Comanche) Too few presidios (Mexican forts)Too few presidios (Mexican forts) Too few Tejanos (Anglo / Mexican people) to Too few Tejanos (Anglo / Mexican people) to

farm the land (raising cattle)farm the land (raising cattle) Frontier area was poor and not well Frontier area was poor and not well

connected to the central governmentconnected to the central government Solution…Solution…

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Expansion In TexasExpansion In Texas Mexican Government offers land grants to Mexican Government offers land grants to

agents called empresariosagents called empresarios The empresarios organized land for people to The empresarios organized land for people to

settle so that more people could comesettle so that more people could come US settlers thrilled (started to call themselves US settlers thrilled (started to call themselves

Texans)Texans) Only two conditions for the land:Only two conditions for the land:

A.A. Obey Mexican LawsObey Mexican LawsB.B. Official religion Roman CatholicOfficial religion Roman Catholic

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Expansion In TexasExpansion In Texas US settlers flocked because of the US settlers flocked because of the

availability of cheap landavailability of cheap land Southern plantation owners were excited Southern plantation owners were excited

because they thought this area would because they thought this area would soon become a slave territory and soon become a slave territory and eventually a stateeventually a state

Northerners were cautious about heading Northerners were cautious about heading into this area still controlled by another into this area still controlled by another nation (Mexico)nation (Mexico)

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How It StartedHow It Started

Lots of US settlers started to flock to Lots of US settlers started to flock to Texas (1835 – 1000 people a month)Texas (1835 – 1000 people a month)

Cultural differences started to conflict:Cultural differences started to conflict: More English spoken than SpanishMore English spoken than Spanish US settlers brought slaves in, but Mexico US settlers brought slaves in, but Mexico

abolished slavery in 1824abolished slavery in 1824 More Protestants than Roman CatholicsMore Protestants than Roman Catholics Texans wanted more self-governmentTexans wanted more self-government

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Mexico started to try to gain further control Mexico started to try to gain further control by:by: imposing heavy import taxes on goods imposing heavy import taxes on goods

coming from UScoming from US sealing the US – Texas bordersealing the US – Texas border

Intentions were good, but impractical Intentions were good, but impractical because of a lack of enforcement (too because of a lack of enforcement (too large of an area to govern) large of an area to govern)

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Texans wanted to move towards Texans wanted to move towards independenceindependence Not join the US right away, but to be a Not join the US right away, but to be a

separate nation (The Lone Star State)separate nation (The Lone Star State) If this happens they could:If this happens they could:

Trade freely with the USTrade freely with the US Establish their own schoolsEstablish their own schools Collect and issue their own taxesCollect and issue their own taxes

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How It StartedHow It Started Sam Houston along with Stephen Austin Sam Houston along with Stephen Austin

became the leaders of the push for Texas became the leaders of the push for Texas independenceindependence

Mexico did not want to give it up and a Mexico did not want to give it up and a conflict occurred at a small Spanish conflict occurred at a small Spanish mission called the Alamo in San Antonio.mission called the Alamo in San Antonio.

Santa Anna lead the force (of 4,000) that Santa Anna lead the force (of 4,000) that would soon put down this uprising, but would soon put down this uprising, but history tells a different story…history tells a different story…

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Remember the AlamoRemember the Alamo In 1835,187 fighters In 1835,187 fighters

gathered at the Alamo gathered at the Alamo and fought for 13 and fought for 13 daysdays

Famous individuals Famous individuals included: Davy included: Davy Crockett, Colonel Crockett, Colonel William Barrett Travis William Barrett Travis and Sam Bowie and Sam Bowie

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Remember the AlamoRemember the Alamo Santa Anna deployed his troops around the Santa Anna deployed his troops around the

structure and, when his artillery arrived, structure and, when his artillery arrived, launched an intensive assault. The Texans, who launched an intensive assault. The Texans, who were reinforced by 32 men on March 1, were reinforced by 32 men on March 1, withstood the Mexicans until March 6, when the withstood the Mexicans until March 6, when the enemy succeeded in breaching the mission enemy succeeded in breaching the mission walls walls

All of the 187 defenders died during this siege, All of the 187 defenders died during this siege, only a few women and children survivedonly a few women and children survived

This event became a rallying cry for those who This event became a rallying cry for those who supported Texas Independencesupported Texas Independence

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Remember the AlamoRemember the Alamo After a victory at Goliad, After a victory at Goliad,

Santa Anna was surprised Santa Anna was surprised by Commander Sam by Commander Sam Houston at San JacintoHouston at San Jacinto

Within 18 minutes, Within 18 minutes, Houston and his men Houston and his men were able to kill 600 were able to kill 600 Mexican soldiers and Mexican soldiers and captured Santa Annacaptured Santa Anna

In exchange for his life, In exchange for his life, Santa Anna agreed to free Santa Anna agreed to free Texas in the Treaty of Texas in the Treaty of VelascoVelasco

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Republic of TexasRepublic of Texas The Lone Star Republic was born and The Lone Star Republic was born and

Sam Houston became the first PresidentSam Houston became the first President Texans wanted the US to annex Texans wanted the US to annex

(incorporate) Texas as the 28(incorporate) Texas as the 28thth State, but State, but slavery issues clouded the debate until slavery issues clouded the debate until President James K. Polk was elected in President James K. Polk was elected in 18441844

Mexico was furious and this action lead to Mexico was furious and this action lead to the Mexican American War of 1845the Mexican American War of 1845

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Major Battles BeginMajor Battles Begin

Mexico and the US disagreed on the Mexico and the US disagreed on the southern border of Texas:southern border of Texas: US recognized the Rio Grand RiverUS recognized the Rio Grand River Mexico recognized the Nueces River (farther Mexico recognized the Nueces River (farther

north than the Rio Grand)north than the Rio Grand) President Polk sent John Slidell to President Polk sent John Slidell to

negotiate terms with Mexiconegotiate terms with Mexico

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Major Battles BeginMajor Battles Begin John Slidell wanted John Slidell wanted

to:to: Purchase the Purchase the

territories of California territories of California and New Mexicoand New Mexico

Agree upon which Agree upon which river would be the river would be the border of Texasborder of Texas

He was not seen by He was not seen by the Mexican the Mexican GovernmentGovernment

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Major Battles BeginMajor Battles Begin

President Polk wanted Texas either way, President Polk wanted Texas either way, so he ordered Zachary Taylor to occupy so he ordered Zachary Taylor to occupy the Rio Grand area of the borderthe Rio Grand area of the border

Mexico saw this as a violation of their Mexico saw this as a violation of their treaty they signed and opened firetreaty they signed and opened fire

A small fight broke out near MatamorosA small fight broke out near Matamoros

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Major Battles BeginMajor Battles Begin 9 Soldiers were killed and Polk called for the 9 Soldiers were killed and Polk called for the

American people to rise up because American American people to rise up because American blood had been spilled on American soilblood had been spilled on American soil

Public opinion was in favor of war. Public opinion was in favor of war. Congress was unsure because of slavery and Congress was unsure because of slavery and

the way this incident startedthe way this incident started

But the Mexican American War begins…But the Mexican American War begins…

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The Battle of Palo AltoThe Battle of Palo Alto On May 8, before Polk signed the declaration of On May 8, before Polk signed the declaration of

war, the first major engagement of the Mexican war, the first major engagement of the Mexican War began. This was the Battle of Palo Alto, War began. This was the Battle of Palo Alto, which took place along the Gulf Coast north of which took place along the Gulf Coast north of Matamoros and the Río Grande Matamoros and the Río Grande

Taylor pitted his approximately 2200 troops Taylor pitted his approximately 2200 troops against Arista’s 3200 Mexican soldiers. The next against Arista’s 3200 Mexican soldiers. The next day another pre-war battle occurred south of day another pre-war battle occurred south of Palo Alto at Resaca de la Palma, sending the Palo Alto at Resaca de la Palma, sending the Mexicans reeling back to Matamoros Mexicans reeling back to Matamoros

Finally, on May 13, Polk signed a declaration of Finally, on May 13, Polk signed a declaration of war war

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The Battle of Palo AltoThe Battle of Palo Alto This battle showed the This battle showed the

superiority of the US superiority of the US artillery against the artillery against the cavalry advancements of cavalry advancements of the Mexican armythe Mexican army

Arista, the Mexican Arista, the Mexican Commander, lost Commander, lost between 250 and 400 between 250 and 400 men at Palo Alto, double men at Palo Alto, double the number of American the number of American losseslosses

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The Capture of MonterreyThe Capture of Monterrey

Zachary Taylor planned a two-pronged assault Zachary Taylor planned a two-pronged assault for September 21, with General William J. for September 21, with General William J. Worth’s Division to attack from the west and Worth’s Division to attack from the west and southwest while the regulars under the southwest while the regulars under the temporary command of John Garland temporary command of John Garland demonstrated against Monterrey’s eastern demonstrated against Monterrey’s eastern defenses. Worth’s assault won the important defenses. Worth’s assault won the important position atop Federation Hill. He then moved on position atop Federation Hill. He then moved on to capture Independence Hill, giving U.S. troops to capture Independence Hill, giving U.S. troops command of the heights overlooking the city. command of the heights overlooking the city.

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The Capture of MonterreyThe Capture of Monterrey The strategy was The strategy was

successful, and on successful, and on September 24 the September 24 the Mexicans Mexicans surrendered that surrendered that portion of the army portion of the army

Taylor's victories Taylor's victories made him a hero made him a hero throughout the nation throughout the nation

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The Capture of Vera CruzThe Capture of Vera Cruz

The vitally important Mexican port and The vitally important Mexican port and stronghold of Vera Cruz fell to American stronghold of Vera Cruz fell to American forces on March 28, 1847, after a two-forces on March 28, 1847, after a two-week siege. General Winfield Scott, with week siege. General Winfield Scott, with the assistance of Commodore David E. the assistance of Commodore David E. Conner’s Home Squadron, landed an Conner’s Home Squadron, landed an army of 10,000 men at Collado Beach to army of 10,000 men at Collado Beach to the south of Vera Cruz on March 9. the south of Vera Cruz on March 9.

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The Capture of Vera CruzThe Capture of Vera Cruz The American shelling caused little The American shelling caused little

damage to Fort San Juan de Ulúa, but the damage to Fort San Juan de Ulúa, but the three-day bombardment breached the city three-day bombardment breached the city walls, smothered counter-battery fire, and walls, smothered counter-battery fire, and collapsed buildings inside Vera Cruzcollapsed buildings inside Vera Cruz

Vera Cruz served as a vital supply base Vera Cruz served as a vital supply base for Scott’s invasion of Mexico and became for Scott’s invasion of Mexico and became crucial to U.S. victory crucial to U.S. victory

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The Capture of Vera CruzThe Capture of Vera Cruz

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Entrance into Mexico CityEntrance into Mexico City

The final blow to General Antonio Lopez The final blow to General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna’s defense of Mexico City de Santa Anna’s defense of Mexico City came on September 13 and 14 came on September 13 and 14

Americans killed or captured some 3,000 Americans killed or captured some 3,000 Mexican troops in this close, brutal, and Mexican troops in this close, brutal, and deadly combat, while suffering 800 deadly combat, while suffering 800 casualties of their own casualties of their own

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Entrance into Mexico CityEntrance into Mexico City With the Americans inside the gates and in With the Americans inside the gates and in

control of the roads to the south and west, control of the roads to the south and west, officials believed that their cause was lost and officials believed that their cause was lost and that the capital city would soon become a that the capital city would soon become a battleground battleground

In the early hours of September 14, instead of In the early hours of September 14, instead of having to fight his way through town, Scott having to fight his way through town, Scott instead received a delegation of Mexican instead received a delegation of Mexican politicians who surrendered the city politicians who surrendered the city unconditionally unconditionally

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Entrance into Mexico CityEntrance into Mexico City

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Main IndividualsMain Individuals Stephen AustinStephen Austin

In 1833, a convention In 1833, a convention of Texas colonists of Texas colonists delegated Austin to delegated Austin to persuade Mexican persuade Mexican authorities to grant authorities to grant them self-government them self-government

Assumed command of Assumed command of the Texans settlers' the Texans settlers' army army

Later became a Later became a governor of Texasgovernor of Texas

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Main IndividualsMain Individuals Winfield ScottWinfield Scott

Nicknamed “Old Fuss Nicknamed “Old Fuss and Feathers” and Feathers” because of his full because of his full dress appearancedress appearance

Helped lead the victory Helped lead the victory at Vera Cruzat Vera Cruz

His army did not loose His army did not loose a single battlea single battle

Helped organized the Helped organized the attack on Mexico Cityattack on Mexico City

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Main IndividualsMain Individuals Zachary TaylorZachary Taylor

Lead the campaign Lead the campaign into the disputed area into the disputed area to start the warto start the war

Became the major Became the major hero of the Mexican-hero of the Mexican-American warAmerican war

Popular support lead Popular support lead to him being elected to him being elected President of the US for President of the US for the Whig partythe Whig party

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Main IndividualsMain Individuals Antonio López deAntonio López de Santa Santa

AnnaAnna Mexican general and Mexican general and

dictator, who dominated dictator, who dominated Mexican politics for a Mexican politics for a quarter of a centuryquarter of a century

Overthrown in 1845, he Overthrown in 1845, he was recalled the following was recalled the following year to lead the army year to lead the army against the United States in against the United States in the Mexican War the Mexican War

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Outcomes of the WarOutcomes of the War The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended

the war, set the southern boundary of the war, set the southern boundary of Texas, and ceded the Mexican territories Texas, and ceded the Mexican territories of New Mexico and California to the United of New Mexico and California to the United States States

The United States paid Mexico an The United States paid Mexico an indemnity of $15 million and assumed over indemnity of $15 million and assumed over $3 million in claims that U.S. citizens had $3 million in claims that U.S. citizens had against the Mexican government against the Mexican government

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Outcomes of the WarOutcomes of the War The treaty was ratified on March 10, 1848, by The treaty was ratified on March 10, 1848, by

the United States and on May 19, 1848, by the United States and on May 19, 1848, by Mexico Mexico

Mexicans living in these territories were Mexicans living in these territories were guaranteed freedom of religion, protection, guaranteed freedom of religion, protection, bilingual elections, and open bordersbilingual elections, and open borders

United States acquired more than 500,000 United States acquired more than 500,000 square miles of valuable territory and emerged square miles of valuable territory and emerged as a world power in the late nineteenth century as a world power in the late nineteenth century

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Outcomes of the WarOutcomes of the War

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For the United States, this was the For the United States, this was the nation's first foreign war fought almost nation's first foreign war fought almost entirely on foreign territoryentirely on foreign territory

More than 5,800 Americans were killed or More than 5,800 Americans were killed or wounded in battle, and 11,000 soldiers wounded in battle, and 11,000 soldiers died from diseases died from diseases

The enormous financial cost, estimated at The enormous financial cost, estimated at more than $75 million more than $75 million

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Outcomes of the WarOutcomes of the War Rich gold and silver deposits in California Rich gold and silver deposits in California

and Nevada were an unexpected surprise and Nevada were an unexpected surprise that greatly contributed to the national that greatly contributed to the national economy and to the westward movement economy and to the westward movement of the population of the population

However, it also upset the balance However, it also upset the balance between free and slave states, which between free and slave states, which helped bring on the catastrophe of the helped bring on the catastrophe of the American Civil War American Civil War

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The War with Mexico has been viewed by The War with Mexico has been viewed by many historians as:many historians as: A selfish conquest for National territoryA selfish conquest for National territory Did not promote the common good for any Did not promote the common good for any

particular people, just US landownersparticular people, just US landowners A bigger country picking on a smaller newer A bigger country picking on a smaller newer

countrycountry Americas opportunity to show the world they Americas opportunity to show the world they

can use National power in warcan use National power in war

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Documents

The Mexican-American War