Mexican War Test
Describing the campaigns of the Mexican War: Stephen W. Kearny & New Mexico
- Lead a detachment of 700 men over the famous Santa Fe Trail. Captured Fort Leavenworth
Describe the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. -
It said America owned Texas, and yielded the enormous land stretching westward to Oregon. Also got California.
Causes of Mexican War:
American Blood has been shed on American Soil- Polk ordered Taylor to bring 4000 troops across the Nueces River because Polk was furious that Mexico refused the offer the US gaining the Texan boundary of Rio Grande, New Mexico territory and CA for $30 million and also refused to listen to Slidell's offer. Polk hear that the Mexican army fired on Taylor's soldiers and he claimed that the Mexicans had invaded the United States and that "American Blood has Been Shed on American Soil."
Causes of Mexican War:
Annexation of Texas-US didn't want to annex texas because they didn't want another slave state. Mexicans were encouraging border raids and warning that if they tried to annex Texas a war would happen. Texas was re-annexed in 1844 when Polk became president.
Political Aftermath:
Basically caused Civil War.
Political Aftermath:
Battlefield experience for American Officers - Battle promotion before the war took a long time, but when the war started everything sped up. Lots of soldiers started getting promoted for their efforts. The Mexican war was basically a training ground for the next war, The Civil War. A first step to learn to endure hardships, inspire loyalty in troops and how to fight and win battles. Zachary Taylor was sent to defend the Rio Grande with 3,000 other men, this leads to war. George McClellan was a new graduate from West Point when the war broke out he gained his experience from the war. Many famous generals and soldiers got their experience from the war the soldiers being: Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, George McClellan, and Stonewall Jackson.
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
Became a military captain and was elected president of Mexico In 1833. Santa Anna lost the Battle for Texas and then lost much of the West of the United States He was a charismatic leader Was president 11 times from 1833 to 1855
Why was California "coveted" by President Polk and the supporters of Manifest Destiny? -
Because of its verdant valleys and the spacious bay of San Francisco
Causes of Mexican War:
Boundary Dispute- Polk wanted California and New Mexico and Southwest but his offer to purchase the lands was rejected. he didn't like it. he instigated a fight by moving troops into a disputed zone between the Rio Grande and Nueces River that both countries had earlier recognized as part of Mexican state of Coahuila.
Political Aftermath:
Completes Manifest Destiny- The United States was able to obtain almost all of the rest of what it is today through the war and treaty. So because of this new acquisition of land, Manifest Destiny ended. There was no where else to go west. The United States of America went from 13 eastern colonies to the whole middle portion of North America.
Political Aftermath:
Mexican Cession- Was land, present day southwestern U.S., that Mexico gave up (sold for 15 mill) in the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This land included present day: California, Nevada, and Utah, as well as portions of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. And finished westward territory movement.
Military Comparison (3 points)
Mexican military was often lacking American military was better compared to the Mexican one The war costed the US over $100 million
Explain why the American government paid Mexico after the war for the lands that had been annexed? -
People say that Polk was pricked with guilty and that he wanted to apologize. He also wanted to boost their government because they could be future allies and that he wanted a strong government to quickly accept the treaty.
Why did the "All for Mexico Movement" fail? -
People wanted all of Mexico, but if America seized it, then we would have expensive and vexatious policing problems. People saw that the South would be greedy and it wouldn't do the country any good, so we decided not to get all of Mexico.
After Treaty: (2 points)
Relationships between the US and Mexico stayed tense for many decades to come, with several military encounters along the border A peace agreement that assigned the U.S. to pay Mexico $15 million in receipt of Califonia & the right for Mexicans in those territories to become US citizens was made.
Explain Abraham Lincoln's "Spot Resolution." -
Resolution offered by Congressman Abraham Lincoln demanding to know the precise location where Mexicans had allegedly shed American blood on the "America" soil. Saying it was unconstitutional that we sent armed troops into Mexican territory.
Winfield Scott -
Scott was a general in the Mexican War. He was dispatched to Mexico with poorly equipped troops, limited reinforcements and supplies, desertions, and disease. Under all these conditions, Scott still had a successful 5 month campaign from Veracruz to Mexico City. However, because of ambitious subordinate officers and the hostility of the Polk administration continuously honoring the Whig general, Scott was recalled and replaced. Eventually Scott's charges were dropped and Congress gave him a golden medal and later even offered if he wanted to be lieutenant general, the first person to hold the office since George Washington.
Political Aftermath:
Sectional Conflict of the Extension of Slavery - Northerners thought that if slavery was confined, then slavery would die. Believed that slavery should not be permitted in the new states. Southerners urged for the new lands to allows slaves. Free Soil party was created and 300,000 people supported them. Their goal was to abolish slavery. Since no one was budding a compromise (of 1850) was created. It said that California would be a slave free state, Utah and New Mexico were created (where slavery was legal), Fugitive Slave act was passed to apprehend runaway slaves and the buying and selling of slaves, but not slavery was abolished in the district of columbia.
Explain the results of John Slidell's mission to Mexico. -
The Mexican people would not even let him offer his money in order to buy California.
What advice did James K. Polk's cabinet give the president concerning a declaration of war against Mexico? -
They said that they thought it would be better if Mexican troops fired first.
Treaty: (4 points)
Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo was signed on Feb 2nd 1848 Ratified later by the US on March 10th and Mexico on May 25th Called for the US to pay Mexico $15 million in receipt of California and new Mexico U.S. agreed to pay $15 million to Mexico as compensation for the seized territory
James K. Polk-
11th President of the US from March 4th, 1845- March 4th 1849 Democratic Party Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Later lived and represented Tennessee Polk's administration lowered tariffs and established an independent Federal Treasury. President during Mexican war
Explain California's population as of 1845. - Curiously mixed.
13,000 Mexicans and 75,000 Indians. Fewer than 1,000 foreigners.
Battle of Palo Alto
1st major engagement of the U.S.-Mexican War Victory was the result of US artillery Zachary Taylor was the leader of American army Americans Outnumbered
What other government was interested in California? -
England
Describing the campaigns of the Mexican War: Zachary Taylor ("Old Rough and Ready") in Northern Mexico -
Fought his way into Mexico through the Rio Grande. Had many victories. 5,000 fought 20,000 and won. Taylor was the hero of the war.
Battle of San Jacinto (Battle of Santa Anna)
Fought on April 21, 1836 In present-day Harris County, Texas Was a decisive battle of the Texas Revolution Led by General Sam Houston The Texian Army engaged and defeated General Antonio López de Santa Anna's Mexican army in a fight that lasted just 18 minutes
The Capture of Veracruz
General Scoot attempted to capture of city of Veracruz and did succeed City of Veracruz is now the American's
Battle of Monterey
General Taylor's army followed the Mexican troops to Monterey and fought to take control of this city. In the end, it came down to hand-to-hand combat in the city streets. But again, the American army was victorious." Resulted in short lived California republic
Battle of Mexico City
General Winfield Scott and troops arrive in Mexico's capital city and fight their final battle against a wearied Mexican army The victory and occupation of the city by the U.S. on Sept. 14 marks the unofficial end of the Mexican-American War
Who did James K. Polk order to cross the Nueces and head to the Rio Grande?
General Zachary Taylor with 4,000 other men.
Battle at Buena Vista
Generals Taylor and Wool and their troops were largely outnumbered when they met General Santa Anna and troops near Buena Vista Yet, they still claimed the victory, one that earned General Taylor much attention and respect General Winfield Scott and his outnumbered troops fight through Santa Anna's army and have an open path to Mexico City
Describing the campaigns of the Mexican War: General Winfield Scott ("Old Fuss and Feathers") in capturing Mexico City -
Handicapped in campaign because of less troops, more numerous enemy, mountain terrain, disease and political back biting. Succeeded in battling to Mexico City.
What was James K. Polk's war message to Congress after American troops were attacked? -
He declared that despite "all our efforts'' to avoid a clash, hostilities had been forced upon the country by the shedding of "American blood upon the American soil.''
Why would President Polk recall this diplomat? What were the RESULTS? -
He recalled Trist because he was negotiating while everyone was fighting. He said he wouldn't come home and signed the treaty of Guadalupe hidalgo.
How did Santa Anna "free" himself from the exiling in Cuba? -
He said if he was allowed back in Mexico, then he would sell all of his country. Polk (for some reason) agreed and he back stabbed Polk and started rallying his men to defend his country.
Describing the campaigns of the Mexican War: John C. Fremont & the Bear Flag Revolt (California) -
He was an explorer that happened to be there with dozens of well-armed men. He helped overthrow Mexican rule.
Commodore John Sloat-
He was in navy since 1800 and served aboard U.S.S. United States in 1812. Sloat got orders to seize CA as soon as it became clear that war had been declared. Went in action in July 1846 to support efforts of Captain John C. Fremont and the so-called Bear Flag Revolt. He was declared military governor of the conquered province by President James K Polk. He turned his job to Commodore Robert F. Stockton after a month of serving.
In evaluating the information from your text book, DID President Polk instigate a military conflict with Mexico in 1846? Justify your conclusions -
I think he did because although it was the only way to get land, he did deliberately put troops in the Rio Grande waiting for Mexico to attack so he could start a war.
Causes of Mexican War:
John Slidell's Rejection-He's had to negotiate a deal with Mexico b/c of his connections with james K Polk. Instructed to offer a settlement of all U.S. claims against Mexico, in exchange for recognition of Rio Grande as the boundary between US and Mexico. Plus he was told by Polk to try and buy California for $25 million. Mexicans rejected the whole thing. Slidell hinted at polk by saying the Mexicans reluctance to negotiate might require a show of military force by US. polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to head for Rio Grande and Slidell stayed in Mexico until March of 1846 but left once the war became unavoidable.
Who was sent by President Polk to negotiate peace? -
Nicholas Trist went along with Scott and his men.
Nicholas Trist
Practiced law Married Thomas Jefferson's granddaughter Andrew Jackson's private secretary for 8 years President James Polk gave Trist the job of chief clerk of the state department in 1845 Secretary of state, James Buchanan convinced to send Trist as an agent to negotitate an end to the Mexican war Helped compose Treaty of Guadalupe
Explain the "outcries" against the treaty and the war itself. -
The Whigs didn't want slavery in the new states and threatened to not send supplies to troops.
What were some of the causes of friction between the Mexican & American governments? -
U.S. had claims of 3 million in damages to citizens. Texas was still an issue, Mexico threatened war if we annexed Texas.
Zachary Taylor
Was the 12th president of the United States Nickname: Old Rough and Ready Presidential term: March 4th 1849,- July 9th, 1850 participated in the war of 1812 War Hero in Mexican War
