The War With Mexico

An Urge for war

• Polk believed that war would expand the US.
• Texas said its southern border went to the Rio Grande.
• Mexico disagreed and said it went to the Nueces River.
• The Nueces river was 100 miles northeast of the Rio Grande.

Slidell's Rejection

• Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico.
• Slidell was supposed to buy New Mexico and California.
• Mexican officers wouldn't let him.
• Zachary Taylor was sent to blockade the Rio Grande.
• This upset Mexicans, they thought it was a violation.

Feelings toward the war

• Many Southerners supported the annexation.
• It could extend slavery and give the South more power.
• Northerners were opposed to the war.
• They did not want Southern domination in the Union.

Untitled Slide

The War begins

• Taylor put forces at the Rio Grande.
• The Mexican government was aggravated.
• Mexican soldiers were sent across the Rio Grande. 
• It was declared that the US was in a state of war with Mexico.

California

• Spanish missions in California were taken by Mexico.
• Spanish missions in California were taken by Mexico.
• Mexican Settlers 
• Mexican settlers had migrated to California.
• These settlers set up cattle ranches.
• Native Americans were pushed into working for these ranches.

The War in MEXICo

• American troops in Mexico had great success.
• The Mexican military was poorly led.
• American soldiers had great leaders to follow.

U.S. Victory

• America trumped Mexico, but lost thousands of men.
• Most of these deaths were due to diseases like yellow fever.
• US territory grew by about one-third with the victory.

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

• Mexico agreed that the Rio Grande was the border for Texas.
• The United States agreed to pay $15 million for the land.
• The land included California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona.
• The Gadsden Purchase established borders for the lower 48 states.

The California Gold Rush

The Rush Begins

• San Franciscans traveled to pan for gold.
• The whole country soon started rushing for gold in California.
• Eventually, people from all over the world travel to California.

Effects of the Rush

• San Francisco grew immensely.
• San Francisco grew immensely.
• Its population went from 1,000 to 35,000.
• California became hugely diverse.
• People from all over the world now lived in the state.