Mr Polks war Flashcards
(5 cards)
reasons for mexican war
The Mexican war erupted between the USA and Mexico in 1845 because Mexican’s resented the USA’s annexation (incorporation Texas into their territory) of Texas as Texas was previously theirs. Additionally, the USA resented Mexico because they had failed to return $2 million in debt that they owed to American Citizens.
events of mexican war
November 1845: Slidell mission, John Slidell was sent by President Polk to Mexico with the order to offer $30 million for New Mexico and California. However, Mexico refused to do anything as he arrived at a time where a new government was put into place and there was a large rise in anti-Americanism
May 1846: President Polk asked Congress for a declaration of war if Mexico refused to pay back its debts to the USA, he also insulted the country by refusing to negotiate with the Slidell mission.
May 1846: on the evening that this decision had been made, before the news of the decision was publicised, Mexican troops crossed the border and ambushed a group of American troops, resulting in 16 deaths. Polk used this against Mexico and the Congress accepted his version of events, so they agreed to war.
divisions in support of the Mexican war
Most Southerners and Westerners supported the war, while Northerners remained hesitant as they saw it as a Southern war of aggression which had been provoked by Polk.
resolution of mexican war - The Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago
At the end of the war, a peace treaty was negotiated with Mexican Government. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago, signed in February 1848, the provisions were:
California and New Mexico were given to the USA
In turn for this huge land loss, the American Government agreed to pay Mexico $15 000 000 and to assume the claims of American citizens against Mexico amounting to some $3 250 000.
Was ratified on 14th May 1848
fears of a slave power conspiracy resulting from the mexican war
Heightened Northern fears of a ‘slave power conspiracy’ because it proved the strength of the Southern planter class as they pushed for the Mexican war.
