The Mexican American War

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The Mexican American War
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The War Begins

• After the annexation of Texas in 1844, it was
  only a matter of time before war between Texas
  and the United States would happen.
• The war began in June of 1845.
• President Polk sent general Zachary Taylor to
  Texas to protect the American border with Mexico.

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General Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana
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President James K. Polk
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General Zachary Taylor
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Border Dispute

• The U.S. and Mexico had a different opinion on
  where the border between Texas and Mexico was as
  you will see on the map that follows.

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War of Aggression

• President Polk sent General Taylor to the area
  that the U.S. considered its border.
• Predictably, Taylors troops were attached by the
  Mexican army.
• Polk had what he wanted, a war with Mexico.

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What did the U.S. want from war with Mexico?

• Land
• Remember manifest destiny?
• The U.S. wanted all the land west of Texas
  including California.

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U.S. has huge technological advantage

• Artillery - superior large guns and better
  ammunition
• better rifles and handguns, including the colt
  revolver
• telegraph better communications

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U.S. has a huge population and economic advantage

• U.S. - 17 million people
• Mexico - 7 million people
• U.S. - growing economy
• Mexico - in debt

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Deaths during the war

• One out of ten American soldiers died in less
  than two years of service
• Disease accounted for 7/8 of the deaths.
• Crowded, unsanitary conditions and impure water
  led to dysentery, lice, and other diseases that
  spread rapidly.
• 12,518 American soldiers died during the war.

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Map of Mexican War Battles
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U.S. army goes all the way to Mexico City

• As you saw on the preceding map, the U.S army
  went all the way to Mexico City. Once this
  happened, Mexico had no choice but to surrender.

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Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed ending the
war.
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The Mexican Cession
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Mexican Cession

• Mexico had to give up a great deal of land at the
  conclusion of the war.
• US paid 15 million to Mexico for the territory.
• This territory included all of the present-day
  states of California, Nevada, and Utah and also
  parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and
  Wyoming.

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Gadsden Purchase

• 1853 agreement to buy a strip of land in what is
  now the southern United States so that a railroad
  line could be built to the Gulf of California. It
  cost 10 million.

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Territorial Expansion