5.3: The Mexican-American War

Question 1

CONTEXT

Answer 1

• Polk = Democrat = pro-expansion
• Clay = Whig = anti-expansion due to slavery
• Viewed as war over slavery
• Thoureau: war = immoral
• Lincoln questioned whether bloodshed spot truly was US territory

Question 2

CAUSES

Answer 2

• 1836: Texan declaration of Independence
• Texans wanted to be US state but Jackson, Van Buren and Tyler decided against it because Mexico = pissed
• 1845: Polk into office w/ Texan annexation as campaign principle
• Polk sent Slidell to Mexico City to ask Mexico for sale of New Mexico and Cali
• No
• Mexico = Southern border = Nueces River
• USA = Rio Grande
• Polk sent troops to Rio Grande
• 11 died
• May 13th 1846: WAR!
• Superior US weaponry
• US navy blockade of Mexican trade
• USA gains = New Mexico and Cali and occupation of Mexico City

Question 3

TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO [1848]

Answer 3

• Rio Grande = border
• Mexican concession of New Mexico and Cali for $15 mil
• 1853: Gasden Purchase: 1/2 of Mexican territory lost to US

Question 4

WILMOT PROVISO

Answer 4

• Amendment to bill
• Any land gained in War to be antislavery
• Voted down
• Led to civil war by highlighting sectionalism

Question 5

MINORITIES IN NEW TERRITORIES

Answer 5

• Assault on civil rights
• Voter discrimination
• Educational segregation
• MEXICANS
• To become US citizens
• Resisted w/ armed rebellions
• Lynchings and violence
• Property loss
• NATIVES
• Gold Rush intensified violence v them
• Pueblo, Navajo and Cheyenne territories claimed by US
• Viewed as bloodthirsty predators or wayward children