4/16/13 The Mexican War and the • Ever since the United Mexican Cession - 1848 States had made Texas a state and annexed it into the Union, Mexico and the U.S. argued over the southern boundary of Texas. • The United States claimed • U.S. troops under General that the Zachary Taylor were camped along the Rio Grande boundary. boundary was When Mexican soldiers the Rio Grande attacked a small scouting River and Mexico party, President Polk asked claimed it was Congress to declare war on the Nueces Mexico in 1846. River which was farther north. War with Mexico: • Colonel Stephen Kearny marched to Santa Fe and • There were three major claimed New Mexico for areas of battle on the war. the U.S. Then he In northern Mexico, General Taylor captured the Mexican continued on to California towns of Monterey and Buena which was won for the U.S. Vista to secure the Texas border. 1 4/16/13 Peace Treaty: • Finally, General Winfield Scott captured Mexico • In 1848, Mexico and the City, the capital of Mexico. U.S. signed a peace treaty, the Treaty of Guadalupe- Hidalgo. The treaty said: • 1. The U.S. would pay Mexico • 2. The U.S. agreed to pay $15 million for California, several million dollars to New Mexico and the part of American citizens who had Texas in dispute. This land claims against Mexico. became known as the • 3. The Rio Grande was Mexican Cession. To cede established as the boundary land means to give it. between the U.S. and Mexico. Importance: • 4. Mexico gave up all claims to land north of the • The Mexican Cession Rio Grande. fulfilled the American dream of Manifest Destiny. It later became part of the states of California, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Wyoming. 2 4/16/13 3 .