Unit 5: Topic 3 - The Mexican-American War Flashcards
What was the disputed territory between the U.S. and Mexico in 1845?
In 1845, when Texas joined the US, Mexico insisted the US had a right only to the territory northeast of the Nueces River. The US argued that it should have title to all land between the Nueces and the Rio Grande as well.
What role did the election of 1844 play in the preliminary stage of the Mexican-American War?
Election of 1844:
- Democrats: Led by James Polk, in favor of annexing Texas to the US, “Texas or Disunion”
- Southern Democrats threatened to disassociate themselves if there is no annexation
- Whigs: Led by Henry Clay, favored annexing Texas but doing it later
- Polk saw his victory as a mandate in favor of annexation
What were the causes of the Mexican-American War?
Causes:
- Boundary dispute of Texas between US and Mexico
- Mexico didn’t recognize Texas as a legitimate American territory
- Manifest Destiny: US belief of their destiny to expand westward and dominate North America as a democratic and capitalist nation
What crucial events occurred during the Mexican-American War?
Progression:
- 1845: John Slidell sent to Mexico to buy California for $25 million, Mexico refused
- 1846: General Zachary Taylor went to the disputed border at the Rio Grande with US troops
- When American troops were attacked by Mexican troops, President Polk calls Congress for approval to start a war
- Spot Resolution: Lincoln opposed the war and asked for proof that the troops were attacked on American soil
- When the war began, General Kearny led troops to capture New Mexico from Mexico
- General Fremont led troops to take over California from Mexico
- Battle of Buena Vista: American General Zachary Taylor gets victory in northern Mexico against Mexican General Santa Anna
- General Winfield Scott sails to Veracruz and takes over the capital, Mexico City
What was the outcome of the Mexican-American War?
Outcome:
- 1847: General Scott takes over Mexico City, war ends
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)
- sets the U.S/Mexico border at the Rio Grande
- enormous amount of territory (from Texas through California) is given to the US for $15 million
What was the Mexican Cession?
Mexican Cession: Mexico gave 55 percent of its territory to the US as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
What was the Oregon Treaty?
Oregon Treaty of 1846
- Treaty signed by the US and Britain to set border between the US and British North America at the 49th parallel.
What was the Gadsden Purchase?
Gadsden Purchase of 1854
- The US paid Mexico $10 million for a portion of desert land to extend the southern transcontinental railroad
- The purchase also resolved a border dispute from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
What was the status of slavery in the newly acquired lands from the Mexican-American War?
Slavery:
- Southerners wanted to expand slavery to the newly acquired territory in the Mexican Cession.
- Free Soilers in the North wanted to keep slavery out of the new territories.
- Wilmot Proviso: If it was passed, the legislation would ban slavery from lands won from Mexico. The House of Representatives approved, but the Senate was divided in its decision, so it wasn’t passed.
What was the status of Mexicans and American Indians in the newly acquired lands from the Mexican-American War?
Mexicans:
- Those located in annexed territories had the opportunity to gain full US citizenship
American Indians:
- Weren’t given the chance to become US citizens
How was the Mexican and American Indian experience in the west?
Mexican-American Experience in the West:
- 90,000 Mexican citizens became American citizens
- Californios (descendants of the Spanish and Mexicans in CA) quickly became a minority as others settled
- Some remnants of Mexican culture in location, names and architecture
American Indian Experience in the West:
- The Gold Rush increased violence against American Indians
- Portrayed as thirsty predators or pitiful children
- Act for the Government and Protection of Indians (1850): Sanctions legalized form of slavery for California Indians
