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America at War: Unit 1
Mexican-American War Overview
Isolationism: A policy of national isolation by abstention from
alliances and other international political and economic relations.
Imperialism: The policy, practice, or advocacy of extending the
power and dominion of a nation especially by direct territorial
acquisitions or by gaining indirect control over the political or economic
life of other areas. Extending ones power, authority, or influence.
Background on the Mexican-American War
Who: Mexico & The U.S.
What: A war between the countries of Mexico and the United States
concerning the territory known today at Texas.
Where: New Mexico, California, Northern Mexico, Mexico City,
Mexican Coast (blockade)
Isolation: to set apart,
stand alone, separate
Abstention: to not do
something, to refrain
from doing something,
stopping oneself from
Dominion: control
Territorial acquisitions:
taking land
Annexation: to add a
country or territory to the
domain of another
country – usually
peacefully.
When: 1846-1848
Why:
California and Texas were part of Mexico. Originally, they belonged to the Spanish
empire, but had gained independence from Spain years earlier. Texas, at this point, was more
populated by Americans than Mexicans (a man by the name of Austin began this settlement
when his father was granted a huge parcel of land, which he later brought 300+ settlers to, with
more arriving later).
Mexico decided that with the number of Americans living in Texas, Mexico was in
danger. The President of Mexico instituted, in 1929, high tariffs and taxes, declared an end to
American immigration into Texas, and prohibited slavery. The Texans rejected these demands,
but life changed very little.
In 1834, Santa Anna became dictator of Mexico and decided it was time to squash the
semi-independence of Texas. Texans armed themselves and in 1836 they declared independence
from Mexico. Fighting ensued. The most commonly remembered event from this fight for
independence is the battle of the Alamo, where the Texans are slaughtered. Nevertheless, Santa
Anna is eventually defeated.
Although it appeared that Santa Anna accepted Texan independence, it was a temporary
acceptance – they believed that in the future they would be able to take back Texas.
Subsequently, Mexico stated that the annexation of Texas by the U.S. would mean war.
When Texas freely decided to join the United States, giving up it’s independence to become a
US state, tensions escalated between the two nations. After minor skirmishes and political
conflicts, the US declared war on Mexico, with the Mexican declaration to follow shortly. So
began the Mexican-American War.
America at War: Unit 1
Mexican-American War Overview
Underlying Causes and Factors:
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Mexican power (those people in charge) changed hands multiple times within the years
leading up to this conflict. This led to a weak and unstable country.
“Manifest Destiny” – The desire for the US to control a straight stretch from the Atlantic
to the Pacific coast.
Slavery * (precursor to the American Civil War)
Land (for Southerners, who held onto many mercantilist beliefs, whereas the North was
more industrialized and more capitalist)*
Prevent the spread of British influence in the Pacific
Gold
Famous Dissenters:
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John Quincy Adams
Henry David Thoreau
Abraham Lincoln
General Grant
Results & Repercussions:
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America gained Texas and California (present day boundaries)
Despite controlling and occupying much of Mexico, including it’s capital, the US paid
for the territory.
Cut Mexican territory by 55% (the US gained territory almost equivalent in size to
Europe)
Ongoing conflict in the US concerning slave states and free states, political control, and
the economic conflicts between the more industrialized North and the more agricultural
South (also precursors to the American Civil War)
High casualty rate (both during and after the war)