The War with Mexico

The United States expands its territory westward to stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast.

Spanish Texas

• The Spanish had been in the Americas since Columbus in 1492.

• Spain owned a large part of North America, including Texas.

Tejanos

• In 1821, only about 4,000 Tejanos lived in Texas.

• Tejanos are people of Spanish heritage who consider Texas their home.

• The Spanish government tried to attract Spanish setters to Texas, but very few came.

Moses Austin

• An American, Moses Austin was given permission by the Spanish government to start a colony in Texas.

• All the Americans had to do was follow Spanish laws.

• Moses died in 1821, so his son Stephen tried to start the colony.

In 1821, Mexico won independence from Spain

Mexican Independence Changes Texas

• The Mexican government told Stephen Austin his settlers would have to become Mexican citizens and members of the Roman Catholic Church, and learn Spanish.

• Between 1821 and 1827, Austin attracted 297 families to his new settlement.

• The success of Austin’s colony attracted more land speculators and settlers to Texas from the United States. Some were looking for a new life, some were escaping from the law, and others were looking for a chance to grow rich. By 1830, the population had swelled to about 30,000,with Americans outnumbering the Tejanos six to one.

Rising Tensions in Texas

• In 1829, the Mexican government outlawed slavery.

• The settlers wanted to keep their slaves so they could grow cotton.

• The Americans also didn’t want to learn Spanish or follow Mexican laws.

• Very few settlers had converted to Catholicism.

• In 1829, the Mexican government closed the state to further American immigration.

• Texans had to start paying taxes for the first time. • Mexican president, General Antonio Lopez de

Santa Anna sent more Mexican troops to Texas.• Texans began talk of breaking away from Mexico.• When Stephen Austin was jailed, the Texans did

revolt.• Santa Anna led 6,000 troops to Texas to put

down the revolt.

The Alamo

• The first battle between the Texans and Mexicans took place at on old mission that was used as a fort.

• It was called the Alamo.

The Fight for the Alamo • There were only 183 Texans guarding the Alamo.• The Mexican army had 1,800 men.• The Texans held the Alamo for twelve days.• On the thirteenth day, Santa Anna ordered his men

to storm the fortress.• When it was over, all but five Texans were dead.

The men not killed in the battle were executed by Santa Anna.

• Texans were shocked by the slaughter at the Alamo and vowed to fight for their freedom.

Battle at San Jacinto • Santa Anna had over 300 more Texans executed at

Golidad. • Texan general, Sam Houston gathered more troops, 800

in all.• It included Tejanos, American settlers, volunteers from the

United States, and many free and enslaved African Americans.

• They met Santa Anna at San Jacinto.

• Their battle cry was, “Remember the Alamo!”• It was over in 18 minutes. More than half the Mexican

army was killed. • Santa Anna was forced to sign a treaty giving Texas its

freedom. With the Battle of San Jacinto,Texas was now an independent country.

General Santa Anna surrenders to General Houston

Lone Star Republic

• In 1836, Texas declared itself The Lone Star Republic.

• Sam Houston was elected president.

• Some Americans wanted Texas to be part of the U.S.

• Some people were afraid of Texas becoming a slave state, others of war with Mexico.

• Both would eventually happen.

Americans Support Manifest Destiny• Manifest Destiny—

U.S. expansion from Atlantic, Pacific sure to happen

• Manifest destiny becomes U.S. policy under President James K. Polk

Troubles with Mexico

• U.S. Congress admits Texas as slave state (1846), angers Mexico

• Texas, Mexico do not agree on official border, U.S. diplomacy fails

• General Zachary Taylor stations U.S. troops in disputed region

• Action viewed by Mexico as an act of war, Mexico attacks U.S. patrol

• Congress declares war on Mexico (May 1846)

Capturing New Mexico and California

• U.S. General Stephen Kearney, troops enter New Mexico

• Using persuasion, Kearney occupies New Mexico without firing a shot

Bear Flag Revolt

• In California, Americans led by John C. Fremont rebel against Mexico

• In June 1846, rebellion known as Bear Flag Revolt, California declares independence

• Arrest Mexican politician Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo

• Write a constitution and declare California independent.

• U.S. troops help rebels gain control of California(July 1846)

The Invasion of Mexico

• General Zachary Taylor leads U.S. troops into Mexico from Texas

• Fights Santa Anna, Mexican troops at Buena Vista,15,000 vs. 5,000 Mexican troops retreat

• General Winfield Scott, U.S. troops land in Veracruz, Mexico (1st amphibious landing in U.S. history)

• Head inland to Mexico City, fight Mexican troops, capture Mexico City

The Mexican Cession

• War ends with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)

• Mexico recognizes Texas as U.S., Rio Grande as Mexican/U.S. border

• Mexico gives up vast region known as the Mexican Cession:– amounts to almost one-half of Mexico– U.S. pays Mexico $15 million for region

“From Sea to Shining Sea”

• Mexico sells land to U.S., the Gadsden Purchase (1853):– costs U.S. $10 million– includes southern New Mexico, Arizona

• In 1848, the U.S. extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific

Growth of the Nation