The State of Texas 1846 Border disputes U

The State of Texas - 1846

Border disputes U. S. – Rio Grande River Mexico – Nueces River U. S. believed in Manifest Destiny This was the belief that America should own all the land “sea to shining sea, ” from the east coast to the west. They felt it was their God Given Right… their destiny.

This painting shows Manifest Destiny as a religious belief that the United States should expand from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean in the name of God. In 1872 artist John Gast painted a popular scene of people moving west that captured the view of Americans at the time. Called "Spirit of the Frontier“, the painting portrays settlers moving west, guided and protected by a goddess-like figure of Columbia and aided by technology (railways, telegraphs), driving away Native Americans and bison in the process. It is also important to note that angel is bringing the "light" as witnessed on the eastern side of the painting as she travels towards the "darkened" west.

Manifest Destiny - belief that the U. S. had the right to all the land between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

Election of 1844 • Presidential candidate James Polk believed strongly in Manifest Destiny, and he favored annexing Oregon and Texas. annex = to add onto President James K. Polk • Polk’s Presidential slogans were: “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight” and “All of Oregon or None”

Video: James K. Polk and Manifest Destiny (3: 16)

John Slidell • Slidell was sent by President Polk to make a deal with Mexico • U. S. citizens had claims against Mexico for damage to their property. • Slidell offered to waive those claims for Texas and all of the land west of Texas. • Mexico was offended that the U. S. would expect them to give all of their land for $$$.

Mexican War – 1846 -1848 • President Polk sends Zachary Taylor and troops to the Nueces River and then later further south to the Rio Grande. • Fighting broke out just north of the Rio Grande in 1846. Mexico invaded our territory and killed 16 Americans.

Disputed Territory TEXAS Gen. Santa Anna and the Mexican army have invaded I think I’ll march my troops Mexico has been invaded by American territory. This south of the Nueces River. that scoundrel, Gen. Taylor. means war! After all, it is AMERICAN Vamos, hombres! Ataque! territory! Nueces River MEXICO Rio Grande

Mexican War – 1846 -1848 • Because Mexico had ignored all attempts to negotiate, had crossed our borders, invaded our territory, and committed hostile acts on U. S. Territory, (shed Texan blood) the U. S. declared war on May 13, 1846. • General Taylor marched his army into Mexico and won at the battles of Buena Vista and Monterrey.

General Zachary Taylor, Mexican War, c. 1847

Mexican-American War: The Origins (9: 22) General Winfield Scott was another general who invaded Mexico and won many battles. The war finally ended with Mexicans surrendering and the signing of a treaty that is still honored to this day. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Terms of this treaty: • Firm peace between U. S. and Mexico • Mexico agreed Texas is part of U. S. with border being the Rio Grande River. • Mexican Cession – U. S. paid Mexico $15 million dollars for territories • The U. S. agreed to respect the rights of Spanish speaking people. • Mexicans in territory could give up Mexican citizenship and become U. S. citizens.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo – 1848 (Video) • Mexico recognized the Texas-Mexico border as the Rio Grande. • Mexico ceded the Mexican Cession to the United States. • Today, the Mexican Cession includes the states of CA, NV, UT, and parts of AZ, NM, CO, and WY. Gadsden Purchase • The United States bought southern New paid Mexico $15 Mexico and Arizona for $10 million.

Results of War • Mexico gave up all claims on Texas • U. S. gained through Mexican Cession – – California – New Mexico – Arizona – And parts of Utah, Colorado, and Nevada – Question Raised: Would new territories be open to slavery?