Manifest Destiny's Southern Swing: The Mexican-American War

Hey there, future AP champ! Let's break down the Mexican-American War – a crucial link between Manifest Destiny and the Civil War. We'll make sure you're feeling confident and ready to ace those questions! 🚀

🗺️ Context: Texas Independence (1835-1836)

Before we dive into the Mexican-American War, let's quickly recap the Texas War of Independence. Think of it as the prequel!

• Texan settlers (mostly Americans) declared independence from Mexico.
• Key Battles:
  • The Alamo: 13-day siege where Texan defenders, including legends like Davy Crockett, were defeated. 💔 Remember it as a symbol of Texan resistance.
  • Goliad Massacre: Over 400 Texan prisoners executed by Mexican forces, fueling Texan rage.🔥
  • San Jacinto: Sam Houston led the Texan army to a decisive victory, securing Texas's independence. 🎉
• Result: The Republic of Texas was formed, an independent nation before being annexed by the US in 1845.
  Memory Aid

Remember A-G-S for Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto. These battles are the key to understanding Texas's fight for independence.

💥 Causes of the Mexican-American War (1846-1848)

So, what sparked the war? Here are the main culprits:

• Border Dispute: The US claimed the Rio Grande as the border, while Mexico insisted on the Nueces River. 🏞️

  

  Image Courtesy of Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

• Annexation of Texas (1845): Mexico never recognized Texas's independence and saw its annexation as an act of aggression. 😠

• US Expansionism: President James K. Polk, a pro-expansionist Democrat, was eager to acquire Mexican territory. 🌍 They wanted that sweet, sweet land for agriculture and, let's be real, to expand slavery.

• Economic and Strategic Interests: The US wanted access to ports and resources in California and other Mexican territories. 💰

• US Provocation: President Polk sent troops to the disputed Rio Grande area, which Mexico saw as an invasion. 😠

📜 The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)

This treaty officially ended the war. Here's the lowdown:

• Mexican Cession: Mexico ceded a huge chunk of land to the US, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma. 🗺️

  

  The Mexican Cession, shown in red, and the later Gadsden Purchase, shown in yellow; Image Courtesy of Matthew Trump on Wikimedia

• US Compensation: The US paid Mexico $15 million and assumed responsibility for American citizens' claims against Mexico. 💸

• Rights of Mexicans: The treaty guaranteed rights to Mexicans living in the ceded territory, including citizenship, religious freedom, and property rights. Sadly, these rights were often violated. 😞

⚖️ Effects of the Mexican-American War

This war had HUGE consequences. Let's break them down:

• Territorial Changes: The US gained vast new territories (the Mexican Cession), significantly expanding its size and influence. 📈
• Economic and Political Effects: The US economy boomed, while Mexico suffered significant losses and political instability. 📉
• Slavery Debate: The question of whether to allow slavery in the new territories intensified the conflict between the North and South, pushing the nation closer to the Civil War. ⚔️
• Impact on Native Americans: Expansion led to the displacement and forced relocation of many indigenous peoples. 💔
• US-Mexico Relations: The war created lasting bitterness and mistrust between the two countries. 😠

Pay close attention to how the Mexican-American War intensified the debate over slavery and contributed to the growing sectionalism that led to the Civil War. This is a major theme in AP US History.

The Wilmot Proviso

• What it was: A proposal to ban slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico.
• Outcome: It passed the House but failed in the Senate, highlighting the growing sectional divide and the importance of maintaining the balance of power in the Senate. ⚖️
• Significance: It was the first time Congress took action to limit the expansion of slavery, foreshadowing future conflicts. 💡

🎯 Final Exam Focus

Alright, let's get down to brass tacks. Here's what you really need to focus on for the exam:

• Causes of the War: Border dispute, Texas annexation, US expansionism, and economic interests. 🧐
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: Mexican Cession, US compensation, and the (often violated) rights of Mexicans.
• Effects of the War: Territorial expansion, the slavery debate, and US-Mexico relations. 💥
• Wilmot Proviso: Its significance in the slavery debate and the failure to pass in the Senate.
• Connections: How the war links Manifest Destiny to the Civil War. 🔗

Last-Minute Tips

• Time Management: Don't get bogged down on one question. Move on and come back if you have time.
• Common Pitfalls: Don't just memorize dates and names. Understand the why behind events. 🧠
• FRQ Strategy: Plan your essay before you start writing. Make sure you address all parts of the question.

📝 Practice Questions

Let's test your knowledge with some practice questions!

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Which of the following was a major cause of the Mexican-American War? (A) The United States' desire to acquire Florida (B) A dispute over the border between Texas and Mexico (C) The issue of slavery in the Louisiana Territory (D) The British blockade of the Gulf of Mexico

2. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo resulted in which of the following? (A) The annexation of Texas by the United States (B) The establishment of the Republic of Texas (C) The Mexican Cession of a large amount of territory to the United States (D) The end of the Civil War

3. The Wilmot Proviso proposed: (A) The immediate abolition of slavery in all US states (B) The expansion of slavery into all US territories (C) The banning of slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico (D) The establishment of popular sovereignty in all US territories

Short Answer Question (SAQ):

Briefly explain ONE specific cause of the Mexican-American War and ONE specific effect of the war on the United States.

Free Response Question (FRQ):

Analyze the extent to which the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) contributed to the growing sectional tensions in the United States during the mid-19th century.

Scoring Breakdown for FRQ:

• Thesis (1 point): Presents a historically defensible thesis or claim that establishes a line of reasoning. (e.g., The Mexican-American War significantly exacerbated sectional tensions in the United States by raising the contentious issue of slavery in newly acquired territories, thereby intensifying the conflict between the North and South.)
• Contextualization (1 point): Describes a broader historical context relevant to the prompt. (e.g., Manifest Destiny, the expansion of slavery, and the Missouri Compromise.)
• Evidence (2 points): Provides specific historical evidence relevant to the prompt. (e.g., The Wilmot Proviso, the debate over popular sovereignty, the acquisition of the Mexican Cession, and the rise of abolitionist sentiment.)
• Analysis and Reasoning (2 points): Explains how the evidence supports the argument and demonstrates a line of reasoning. (e.g., Explaining how the Wilmot Proviso and the debate over slavery in the Mexican Cession directly increased tensions between the North and South.)
• Complexity (1 point): Demonstrates a complex understanding of the topic. (e.g., Considering multiple perspectives, explaining nuances of the issue, or showing how the war had both direct and indirect impacts on sectionalism.)

You've got this! Go out there and crush that exam! 💪