Polk’s War: The Mexican Polk’s War: The Mexican War (1846-1848)War (1846-1848)

US History: SpiconardiUS History: Spiconardi

BackgroundBackground

• Mexico’s government never recognized Texas’ independence– Mexico breaks off diplomatic relations with the United

States– James K. Polk elected president in 1844

• Jacksonian Democrat• Deep believer of Manifest Destiny

– Control of Southwest & California would open trade opportunities with Asia

• Pro-slavery

Path to WarPath to War

• Polk encourages Texans to seize land up to the Rio Grande River

• Mexico claims that the Nueces River is the border b/t US and Mexico

• Polk offers forgiveness of loan and $30 million for the land in dispute– Mexico has no stability in government & cannot negotiate

• Presidency changes 4 times alone in 1846

• Polk instigates war by sending Gen. Zachary Taylor to border w/o a single troop who spoke Spanish (talked in French)– After 3-week standoff Mexican troops attack US cavalry

Path to WarPath to War

• Polk to Congress: Mexico “had passed the boundary of the United States, had invaded our territory and shed blood on American soil.”

The WarThe War

• First American war fought on foreign soil

• Romantic Appeal– Media portrays this as a war of conquest in a

far off exotic land

• US wins all but one battle

Treaty of Guadalupe HidalgoTreaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

• US not only gets Texas border at the Rio Grand River, but also…

• New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, parts of Colorado and Wyoming, and California (access to Pacific Ocean

• MANIFEST DESTINTY COMPLETE – US A CONTINTENTAL NATION

Divisions within the USDivisions within the US

• “Slave Power Conspiracy”

• Racism

• Wilmot Proviso

• Read your assigned document and share with the pertinent info with your group