The Mexican American War

1. The Mexican American War Cause and Effect

2. What started it?(Cause) • Texas Freedom – winning Independence and the Treaties of Velasco • Statehood – Annexation of Texas to the United States • Tension – U.S. offered to buy land, but Mexico declined the offer, U.S. moves troops into the disputed area

3. Mexican-American War Causes • Admission of Texas to United States • Mexican Government refused to recognize Treaties of Velasco • Border dispute (Rio Grande vs. Nueces) • Manifest Destiny (U.S. expansion to west coast) • Fighting in disputed area (U.S. claimed that Mexico opened fire on U.S. soil)

4. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (ended the war) • Secured peace between Mexico & U.S. • Mexico recognized Texas as part of U.S. • Mexican Cession (Mexico received $15 million for land between Texas and west coast • U.S. took over claims against Mexico • Respect rights of Spanish-Speaking people

5. After the War(Effects) • Mexico lost 1/3 of its land and received $15 million dollars • General Taylor’s victories helped get him elected as president • Battles served as “training ground” for many future leaders of the Civil War • U.S. succeeded in Manifest Destiny • New states/territories present problems regarding slavery - ultimately leading to the Civil War

6. Who’s who ? James K. Polk – U.S. President during the war Zachary Taylor – General who was ordered to place troops at Nueces River, then fought at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma to set off the war Winfield Scott – General who took troops via the Gulf of Mexico to Vera Cruz, then across land to Mexico City Texas Rangers – Texas lawmen served as scouts for Taylor and Scott in the war, because they knew the Texas landscape so well