Mexican-American War

Mexican-American War

1846-1848

Background

Texas had been a state of the country of Mexico since 1821 when Mexico gained its independence from Spain. The Texans, however, began to disagree with the government of Mexico. In 1836, they declared their independence from Mexico and formed the Republic of Texas. They fought several battles including The Alamo. In the end, they gained their independence and Sam Houston became the first President of Texas.

Texas Becomes a state

In 1845, Texas joined the United States as the 28th state. Mexico didn't like that the United States took over Texas. There also was a disagreement over the border of Texas. Mexico said the border was at the Nueces River while Texas claimed the border was further south at the Rio Grande River.

War with Mexico

President James K. Polk sent troops to Texas to protect the border. Soon Mexican and US troops were shooting at each other. On May 13, 1846 the United States declared war on Mexico.

The Mexican army was led by General Santa Anna. The US forces were led by General Zachary Taylor and General Winfield Scott. General Taylor's forces were the first to engage the Mexican army. They fought an early battle at Palo Alto where the Mexicans were forced to retreat. General Taylor advanced into Mexico fighting battles at the city of Monterrey and a mountain pass called Buena Vista. At the Battle of Buena Vista, Taylor and 5,000 troops were attacked by 14,000 Mexican troops led by Santa Anna. They held off the attack and won the battle despite being outnumbered.

Capture of Mexico City

President Polk didn't trust Zachary Taylor. He also considered him a rival. Instead of reinforcing Taylor's troops to capture Mexico City, he sent in another army led by General Winfield Scott. Scott advanced on Mexico City and captured it in August of 1847.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

With the United States in control of their capital city and much of the country divided, the Mexicans agreed to a peace treaty called the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. In the treaty, Mexico agreed to the border of Texas at the Rio Grande. They also agreed to sell a large area of land to the United States for $15 million. Today this land makes up the states of California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. Portions of Wyoming, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Colorado were also included.

Multiple Choice

1. The Mexican-American war was mostly fought over what territory?

• a. Arizona

• b. California

• c. New Mexico

• d. Texas

• e. Colorado

Multiple Choice

2. When was the Mexican-American war fought?

• a. 1846 to 1848

• b. 1802 to 1804

• c. 1865 to 1871

• d. 1812 to 1814

• e. 1939 to 1945

Multiple Choice

3. Who was the U.S. president during the Mexican-American War?

• a. Thomas Jefferson

• b. James K. Polk

• c. John Adams

• d. Abraham Lincoln

• e. John Tyler

Multiple Choice

4. What famous general led the Mexican Army?

• a. Robert E. Lee

• b. Pancho Villa

• c. Emiliano Zapata

• d. Carranza

• e. Santa Anna

Multiple Choice

5. What peace treaty ended the war?

• a. Treaty of Paris

• b. Treaty of Mexico

• c. Treaty of Texas

• d. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

• e. Treaty of Peace

Multiple Choice

6. How much did the U.S. pay for the land they acquired from Mexico?

• a. $1 million

• b. $2 million

• c. $15 million

• d. $50 million

• e. Nothing

Multiple Choice

8. What U.S. general captured Mexico City?

• a. Zachary Taylor

• b. Winfield Scott

• c. Robert E. Lee

• d. George Washington

• e. Ulysses S. Grant

Multiple Choice

9. What state came out of the land gained from the war and the treaty?

• a. Nevada

• b. California

• c. Arizona

• d. Utah

• e. All of the above

Multiple Choice

10. What was the land gained by the United States in the Mexican-American War called?

• a. Confederation

• b. Louisiana Purchase

• c. Mexican Cession

• d. Southwest Confederacy

• e. Desert Territory