Mexican CessionBackground:
Polk wanted California and New Mexico. He wanted to expand U.S. territory as far as he could. Polk sent a U.S. representative to buy the territories, but Mexico would not even review their offer. To Mexico, it seemed like they were at war. Once Texas was annexed to US, the two countries could not agree on a border. Texas- wanted Southwest Border to be the Rio Grande Mexico- Nueces River (150 miles northeast of Rio Grande) Effect: US troops patrolling along Rio Grande were fired at by Mexican Soldiers Mexican-American war General Stephan Kearny led army west to occupy New Mexico and California Mexico lets U.S. take over Americans rebel in California and arrest the Mexican Commander of northern California California is the Bear Flag Republic Kearny joins rebels; California is U.S. territory Mexico: General Zachary Taylor leads US army to Mexico 6,000 U.S. troops took Monterrey, a Mexican City General Santa Anna meets Taylor with 20,000 troops Mexico and U.S. troops meet near a ranch called Buena Vista; fight for 2 days, Santa Anna retreats Northern Mexico conquered General Winfield Scott fights his way to Mexico City Before getting to the capitol, American troops were stopped by Mexican Soldiers and young military cadets Americans capture Mexico City in September 1847 1848- Mexico gives up Texas and a large region known as the Mexican Cession (California. Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming) Mexico gave up 1/2 of its territory in exchange for $15 million and protection for Mexicans living in Texas and Mexican Cession 38-14 Senate ratifies treaty Some consider taking Mexico's territory through war to be too aggressive, while others just want land |