1) Americans had begun moving into Mexican-owned Texas, causing tensions between the two countries. 2) The Battle of the Alamo in 1836 resulted in the deaths of all Texan fighters, fueling calls for independence. Texas eventually defeated Mexico and became an independent republic. 3) The U.S. annexed Texas in 1845, further straining relations with Mexico, which claimed Texas as its territory. This, along with border disputes, led the U.S. to go to war with Mexico in 1846.

1. Manifest Destiny

2. The Lone Star of Texas Flickers
• Immigrants from U.S. move into
Mexican-owned Texas to help defend
• Americans had to become Mexican
citizens, Roman Catholic and accept
constitution (banned slavery)
• Many ignored agreement
• Stephen F. Austin leads the settlers
• Mexico tried to regain control of Texas
• Mexico feared a plot by the U.S. to
acquire Texas
• Santa Anna became Mexican leader-
controlling

3. Texas: An International Conflict
• Battle of the Alamo, 1836
• Texans defeated, all were killed, ”Remember
the Alamo”
• Texans eventually defeat Mexican Army and
become the Long Star Republic, 1836
• Sam Houston serves as President of Texas

4. Political Recap
• William Henry Harrison – “Old Tip” –
Battle of Tippecanoe – Log Cabin, Hard
Cider Campaign
– Dies 1 months after inauguration
– Vice President, John Tyler, takes his place

5. John Tyler
• “A man without a party”
• Was a Whig because he
hated Jackson, but was
really a Democrat
• Actually was part of a
minority faction of the
Whig party
• Vetoed a new bank and
high tariff policies
• Expelled from Whig party

6. Aroostook War
• Disputed Maine/Canadian
border
• Britain wanted to build a
road from Halifax to
Quebec
• Tensions flared between
U.S. and Canadian
lumberjacks, militias
formed
• Britain sent a diplomat to
solve the dispute, which
gave Canada their road and
Americans a majority of the
disputed territory

7. Lone Star Republic
• Mexico threatened war if Texas
was annexed by U.S.
• Texas signed treaties with
France, Holland & Belgium to
gain protection against Mexico
• Britain liked independent Texas
because:
– Stopped American expansion
– Free trade area (no tariffs)
– High cotton production
lessened dependency on U.S.

8. Mandate for Manifest Destiny
• Texas annexed in 1845, after Polk’s
election to be the only success of Tyler’s
presidency
• Democrat dark horse, President James K.
Polk, an “EXPANSIONIST” president had a
4 point mission:
– Lower the tariff (he did, 32% to 25%)
– Restore the independent treasury (did by 1846)
– Clear up Oregon border issues
– Get California

9. Oregon- 54’40’ or fight! (or not)
• Territory had been shared by Britain and U.S.
(Treaty of 1818)
• There were more Americans there (missionaries)
• Not worth a war
• British proposed a treaty separating the
territory at the 49th parallel.

10. Proposal with Mexico
• Tensions over the annexation of Texas strained relations
• Border dispute in Texas, Rio Grande or Nueces River?
• Offered $25mil to buy California, Mexico refused
– Prompted Polk to lure them into war with a chance to win
California
• Polk sent 4,000 men under General Zachary Taylor to
march in disputed territory
– News came of a Mexican attack against U.S. troops
– Many statesmen asked for the “spot” in which this event
occurred – Spot Resolution
– Congress declares War

12. Mexican
American War
• Polk hoped to
beat Mexico just
enough to get
California and
ask for peace
• Polk paid the
dethroned
Mexican
dictator, Santa
Anna to “sell-
out” his country
– this failed
• American
victories at
Buena Vista,
Mexico City and
occupation of
California

13. Peace
• Chief clerk of the State Department,
Nicholas Trist secured the Treaty of
Guadalupe Hidalgo
– Texas, California & everything in between for
$18mil (half of Mexico)
– Paid out of guilt

14. Effects of the War
• Field experience for generals of Civil War (Lee &
Grant)
• Began poor relations with U.S. and Latin Americas
• Reintroduced the slavery dispute  caused Civil War
• Wilmot Proviso – proposed, not passed – law to
outlaw slavery in newly acquired territory from
Mexico (Mexican Cession)