The U.S.- Mexican War

We will analyze the causes and effects of the U.S. Mexican War.

I will read, discuss, and answer questions about the U. S. Mexican War.

EQ: What events led the United States to go to war with Mexico?

Mexico had threatened to declare war if the U.S. annexed Texas, however it did not. Tensions between between the United States and Mexico increased because of disagreements over territory and borders.

Mexico feared that the annexation of Texas was just the beginning. The United States wanted to take over all of Mexico.

Mexico disputed the southern boundary of the area defined as Texas. Texas believed that the Rio Grande was the border but Mexico claimed it was the Nueces River.

In 1845 U.S. President Polk set John Slidell and a secret envoy to Mexico. He wanted Slidell to negotiate the purchase of the disputed territory and the area that is now California, Arizona, and New Mexico.

John Slidell was willing to pay up to 30 million dollars for the land, but Mexican President Jose Joaquin de Herrera did not want to appear weak in front of the Mexican people . Mexican president Herrera refused to meet with Slidell.

President Polk viewed Mexico's refusal to meet with John Slidell as an insult. Polk began to think of new ways of getting the land.

Polk purposely sends troops into the disputed territory. Mexican troops fired and several U.S. soldiers were killed or wounded. Some soldiers were take captive.

Polk uses the incident to say that Mexican troops had invaded the U.S. and asks Congress to declare war.

On May 13, 1846 quickly declared war. The war is called the U.S. Mexican War or the Mexican-American War. Thousands of Texans volunteer to join the Army. They look forward fighting against their old rival Santa Anna.

The American troops overtake Mexico City. The United States troops raised the American flag over the National Palace in victory. After two years the War is over.

What does this image tell you about how the war was on Mexico?