US HistoryMs. GonzalezNovember 16, 2017

Aim: Was the United States justified in declaring war on Mexico in 1846? Do Now: Imagine that China has just ordered its military to line up on our soil. How should President Obama respond?

Your answer A partner’s answer

Notes:

The annexation

of Texas:

●In the 1820s, Americans began moving into ________ looking for cheap land to farm.

▪ American settlers brought _________ to Texas even though the 1824 Mexican constitution declared slavery ________.

●When the Mexican government tried to end slavery in Texas, the Texans started a war for _________________.▪ The US supported Texas by providing _____ and ________ to the Texan rebels.

●By 1836, Texas gained its independence from Mexico. In that same year, Texas asked the US to _______ it (add) as a State.

▪ In 1845, Texas became the ____th state.

▪Mexico reacted by cutting off all diplomatic relations with the U.S (_____ and ______)

Border Dispute:

● The U.S. government claims that the ____ ________ marks the southern border of Texas.

● The Mexican government rejects this idea and argues that the real border is the _________ _______

The war starts....

●President ______ sent an official to negotiate with Mexico. The US wanted to

● Come to an agreement on the _______ ___ _________

● Purchase ____________ and ______ _______________

●The Mexican Government ___________ to speak with the American official sent by Polk

● President Polk felt offended and ordered American _____ to occupy the _____ ________

●Mexico saw this as an ____________ and Mexican soldiers opened fire killing ___ _____________ _________

● In 1846, President Polk asked Congress to ___________ _____ on _____________.

Mexican-American War Regents Practice…

1. Which geographic feature formed the western border of the United States in 1783?

A. Pacific OceanB. Great LakesC. Mississippi RiverD. Rocky Mountains

For War. . . Mexico has repeatedly threatened to make war upon us for the purpose of reconquering Texas... now, after reiterated [repeated] menaces, Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have commenced [begun], and that the two nations are now at war. . . .

— President James K. Polk, Message to Congress, May 11, 1846

Based on this passage, why did President Polk asked Congress to declare war on Mexico?

Against War. . . I apprehend (fear) that much blood and much treasure will be expended (wasted) … [President Polk] has been guilty in ordering our army to invade a country with which we are at peace, and of provoking and bringing on this war… The President obviously wanted to involve us in war with Mexico……This war is waged against an unoffending (not guilty) people, without just or adequate cause, for the purposes of conquest… For these reasons I shall vote against the bill to support this war.

— Congressman Joshua Giddings, Debate on the Mexican War, House of Representatives, Washington, May 13, 1846 (modified)

According to Congressman Joshua Giddings, why did he opposed the Mexican War?