Texas and Mexican WarUnit 5.2

Background Mexico broke away from Spain in 1823. U.S. issues the Monroe Doctrine in 1823. Texas was sparsely populated. Stephen Austin got permission to bring

Americans into Texas. Mexico allowed Americans if they:

• 1. Gave oath to Mexico• 2. Converted to Catholicism• 3. Did not have slaves

• Did the Americans do this?• Why did Mexico allow them to come?

Texas Independence By 1830,

Americans outnumbered Mexicans 3 to 1

By 1835 it was 9 to1

Mexico starting enforcing the rules and American settlers led by Sam Houston revolted.

Mexican Dictator Santa Anna brought army to put down revolution.

Texas War for Independence

Alamo William Travis James Bowie Tennessee volunteers

Davy Crocket Goliad

• “Remember the Alamo, Remember the Goliad”

San Jacinto• Texas army led by Houston captured Santa

Anna and force him to sign a treaty.

Texas Independence

Lone Star Republic The new Republic of Texas (Lone Star Rep)

was still claimed by Mexico. Elected Houston as President. Applied for annexation into the United

States.

Both Presidents Jackson and Van Buren denied them admission.

WHY?

Election of 1844 Whig – Henry Clay Democrat – James K. Polk (dark horse)

What is a dark horse candidate? Liberty Party – James Birney

What is the main issue of this third party?

Polk made the issue expansion. Oregon and Texas were main parts of his platform.

Who wins?

Wilmot Proviso In 1846 David Wilmot proposed a law that stated that any lands

acquired in the war were forbidden to have slavery. This was supported by many northerners.

What became known as the Wilmot Proviso did not pass, but from that point on the issue of slavery would be the centerpiece in American politics.

Beginning of the Mexican War Before Polk was inaugurated, President Tyler

pushed through the annexation of Texas. Now the question was, was the border the Rio

Grande or Nueces River? There was a confrontation between U.S. and

Mexican troops and the war began. But what is this about the “bloody

spot?”

Two Main Generals in Mexican WarZACHARY TAYLOR WINFIELD SCOTT

Nickname – “Old Rough and Ready”

Fought in northern Mexico from Texas

Won battles:• Monterrey• Buena Vista

Nickname – “Old Fuss and Feathers”

Fought on East coast Won battles:

• Vera Cruz and Mexico City

Other Mexican War to Know

Stephen Kearney – Fought in New Mexico John C. Fremont – “Pathfinder” who helped

California revolt to become the Bear Flag Republic.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)• $15 million for “Mexican Cession”

Other Mexican War EFFECTS OF THE WAR OTHER QUESTIONS

Issue of Slavery now #1 Trained soldiers

Robert E. Lee’s story Expanded Country California

What if the U.S. would have lost?

Is Texas going to be one state or multiple states?

Why did we later pay Mexico $10 million for a little strip of land?

Gadsden Purchase – 1853

What would later change the route to a more northern route?

Kansas Nebraska Act (1854)

California – our Mexican War bonus prize

In 1848, James Marshall finds gold at Sutter’s Mill. In 1849, thousands of 49ers would go to

California to try to their fortune in the Gold Rush.

Among them Chinese immigrants and Levi Strauss. (San Fran: 1848-1,000, 1850- 35,000 people)

What problem would now come up?

James K. Polk by They Might Be Giants

In 1844, the Democrats were splitThe three nominees for the presidential candidateWere Martin Van Buren, a former president and an abolitionistJames Buchanan, a moderateLouis Cass, a general and expansionistFrom Nashville came a dark horse riding upHe was James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump

Austere, severe, he held few people dearHis oratory filled his foes with fearThe factions soon agreedHe's just the man we needTo bring about victoryFulfill our manifest destinyAnd annex the land the Mexicans commandAnd when the votes were cast the winner wasMister James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump

In four short years he met his every goalHe seized the whole southwest from MexicoMade sure the tariffs fellAnd made the English sell the Oregon territoryHe built an independent treasuryHaving done all this he sought no second termBut precious few have mourned the passing ofMister James K. Polk, our eleventh presidentYoung Hickory, Napoleon of the Stump

10 - James K Polk (LP Version).mp3

Links http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI6gNyhyGK8&feature=relmfu – review video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn2FzuPyFlY – Jimmy Fallon Gadsden Treaty joke (4:20)

Reflection Questions Why did the Mexican government allow Americans

into their country and how did that work out for them?

Why did Jackson and Van Buren not allow Texas into the United States?

How is the Wilmot Proviso represented of the debate in the following decade?

What were the effects of the Mexican War? Why did California become so important to the

United States? Why is the year 1848 so important in the history

of the United States (think change over time)?