Cultures Clash in the Southwest

1
Cultures Clash in the Southwest

• The United States Extends its Territory

2
Mexican Independence

• Mexico won its independence from Spain on
  September 16, 1821.
• Almost immediately the new nation began to worry
  about its neighbor to the north, the United
  States.
• Why do you think Mexicans were worried?

3
Mexico and the U.S. 1821
4
American settlers move to Texas

• At the time, Texas was still a part of Mexico.
• Stephen A. Austin led the first group of U.S.
  settlers to Texas in 1821.
• Mexico wanted settlers in the region so they
  could protect their borders.
• The U.S. settlers had to
• 1. Follow Mexican laws
• 2. Become Mexican citizens
• 3. Become Roman Catholics

5
Tensions Flare

• It did not take long for the settlers to
  outnumber the tejanos Spanish-speaking
  residents of Texas.
• Many of the settlers refused to obey Mexicos
  rules (anti-slavery laws).
• In 1830 Mexico banned U.S. immigration to Texas.
  Mexico was worried the U.S. settlers would try to
  make Texas a part of the United States.

6
The Texas Rebellion

• Also during this time, Mexico was trying to form
  a stable government. In the 1830s, General
  Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna overthrew Mexicos
  government, made himself dictator, and threw out
  the Mexican Constitution.

7
Texas Rebellion

• The U.S. settlers in Texas, and some tejanos,
  rebelled against Santa Anna.
• In 1835, Texan
  rebels overtook
  Mexican troops
  
  at the Alamo
  an abandoned
  
  mission in San
  Antonio Texas.

8
The Alamo

• Santa Anna and a
  huge Mexican
  force heard the
  news and
  hurried
  up to the Alamo.
• After fierce fighting, the Mexican force
  re-captured the Alamo and put all the Texan
  defenders to death.

9
Texas Independence

• While the battle at the Alamo was raging, Texans
  declared their independence, creating the
  Republic of Texas.
• Six weeks later, a large force of Texan rebels
  captured Santa Anna at San Jacinto.
• They forced Santa Anna to sign a treaty that
  recognized the independence of Texas.

10
The Republic of Texas

• Yellow Texas
• Green Mexico
• Striped land claimed by both Texas and Mexico

11
The Republic of Texas

• Texas independence caused border disputes
• Texas claimed its border was the Rio Grande River
• Mexico claimed its border was the Nueces River
• Texas and Mexico fought several times at the
  border

12
Annexing Texas

• Most Texans wanted to join the United States.
  And many in the U.S. wanted to annex Texas.
• Annex To add on or join
• Mexico warned that if Texas was annexed, it would
  declare war on the U.S.
• For nine years, Texas remained an independent
  state.

13
The Road to War

• By the mid 1840s, many Americans wanted not only
  to annex Texas, but gain California and New
  Mexico as well.
• In 1845, Congress officially decided to annex
  Texas.
• Mexico was furious, but it did not declare war.

14
The Road to War

• By this time, most people living in Texas,
  California, and New Mexico were loyal to the U.S.
• The U.S. President, James Polk, thought Mexico
  might want to sell California and New Mexico. He
  offered 30 million. Mexico refused. It did not
  want to give up more land.

15
War Breaks Out

• Polk was determined to get this land from Mexico.
  
• In 1846, he sent troops to the Rio Grande, the
  disputed border.
• He knew this would start a war, but he was sure
  the U.S. would win.

16
War Breaks Out

• Sure enough, Mexican and American troops clashed
  at the disputed border (Thornton Affair).
• The two nations prepared for war in 1836.

Mexico had "invaded our territory and shed
American blood upon the American soil." - Polk
17
Who Opposed the War?

• Republicans (Former Federalists) did not want war
• Northern states did not want war

18
Mexican American War

• U.S. forces attacked Mexico from three sides.
• They won battles at the Rio Grande, California,
  and Veracruz.
• They then marched on the capital, Mexico City.

19
Famous Generals Leaders

• Robert E. Lee
• Winfield Scott
• Jefferson Davis
• Ulysses S. Grant
• Thomas Stonewall Jackson
• Zachary Taylor
• George Meade
• George McClellan

20
(No Transcript)
21
Mexican American War

• At Mexico City, U.S. troops greatly outnumbered
  the Mexican defenders (still led by Santa Anna).
• Mexicos last stronghold was at Chapultepec
  Castle.
• Here, Mexican cadets (soldiers in
  training some as young as 13)
  fought bravely
  until all were killed.
• Mexico City was conquered in
  1847.

22
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

• This peace treaty ended the war in 1848 and gave
  the United States almost half of Mexicos land.
  We paid 15 million. (less than ½ original offer)
• This land was called the Mexican Cession.
• Not long after, California and New Mexico became
  states.