Mexican-American War (1846-1848)

Question 1

Manifest Destiny

Answer 1

The belief that God gave the U.S. the destiny and right to expand “sea to shining sea” to control all of North America from the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean

Question 2

James K. Polk (1795-1849)

Answer 2

• 11th U.S. President (1845-1849)
• Strong supporter of Manifest Destiny (expansion of U.S. westward)
• Led the U.S. into the Mexican-American War to gain California & the Southwest

Question 3

Vaqueros

Answer 3

• Mexican cowboys in California & the Southwest
• Skilled horsemen and cattle herders who played a huge role in ranching culture

Question 4

Californios

Answer 4

• Spanish-speaking settlers in California
• Mostly of Mexican descent
• Many owned large ranchos before the U.S. took control

Question 5

Bear Flag Revolt (June 1846)

Answer 5

A rebellion by American settlers in California against Mexican rule

• Rebels declared California independent, raising a flag w/ a grizzly bear (hence the name)
• Revolt helped U.S. gain control of California

Question 6

John C. Fremont

Answer 6

• Explorer & U.S. military officer who helped lead the Bear Flag Revolt
• Played a key role in securing California for the U.S. during the war

Question 7

Why did the U.S. declared war on Mexico?

Answer 7

• Border Dispute: Mexico claimed the Nueces River as Texas’s border, but the U.S. claimed the Rio Grande
• Manifest Destiny: Polk wanted to expand U.S. territory
• Annexation of Texas (1845): Mexico still considered Texas part of its land
• Attack on U.S. Troops (April 1846): Mexican soldiers attacked American troops near the Rio Grande, giving Polk a reason to ask for war

Question 8

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)

Answer 8

• Ended the Mexican-American War
• Mexico gave up 55% of its territory = Mexican cession
• U.S. paid Mexico $15 million for the land
• Recognized the Rio Grande as Texas’s Southern border

Question 9

55% of Mexican Land to the U.S.

Answer 9

California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, & parts of Colorado, Wyoming, & New Mexico

Question 10

Gadsden Purchase (1854)

Answer 10

U.S. bought Southern Arizona & Southwestern New Mexico from Mexico for $10 million

• Purpose: to build a Southern transcontinental railroad
• Marked the final expansion of the U.S. in the contiguous 48 states