Causes
What American was invited to settle in Texas?
Moses Austin
Who won the war?
America
Who was President of the United States during the war
President James K. Polk
What was the problem with Mexico's government at the start of the war?
It was corrupt, new, dictatorial, and the leaders were backstabbing eachother.
What is the Santa Fe Trail and why is it important?
The Santa Fe trail was a trading route that ultimately became a gateway for settlers into Mexico and led to several cultural tensions between the two groups. It is a prime example of Manifest Destiny at work.
What was one major cause of the war?
Settlers weren't following the law
Settlers were bringing in Slaves
More Settlers were coming in than expected
Annexing Texas
How much land did America gain? Hint: think about what states they eventually became
Who was the head general during the war
General Zachary Taylor
Who was Mexico's president at the time of the war?
Santa Anna (or his full name)
Why did Texas want to be independent from Mexico?
The American settlers did not want to follow Mexico's laws, additionally the Mexican government was managing Texas poorly and not addressing any of their problems.
What event was used to justify declaring war on Mexico according to the "We take nothing by conquest" packet?
According to General Taylor, the Mexicans killed a few American soldiers and they were required to retaliate.
What major issue reopened after the war?
slavery
Why did Taylor enter Texas' territory according to the "We Take Nothing by Conquest" packet?
To protect the people's property and individual rights
Possibly some other answers as well
what were two disadvantages Mexico faced?
poor leadership
lack of resources
rebellions
lack of money
several other reasons
What were some reason's American's opposed the war
were against slavery
thought Polk's reasons were lies
several other reasons
What were two of President Polk's reasons for wanting war with Mexico?
Mexico refused all attempts at negotiating
Mexico spilled American blood on American soil
Mexico refused to accept American annexing Texas
What problems did Mexico have to solve after the war?
poor economy
damage to buildings
bad government
no internal or external trade
other reasons are accepted as well (so long as they are real)
What were two advantages that America had in the war?
More money
more experience
better leaders
better resources
several others
What advantages did Mexico have and why were they advantageous?
Numbers and home soil
Larger numbers of troops makes casualties less drastic, allows for the ability to split up and increases different battle tactic opportunities etc.
Home soil: knowing the land means soldiers can take back roads, know what to avoid, where to find food, etc.
What was Polk's purpose for portraying Mexico the way he did in his speech?
Dehumanizing people makes it easier to accept going to war
It shows Mexico as unwilling to cooperate and paints America in a good light
several other reasons
How did Manifest Destiny contribute to the start of the Mexican-American War?
American's believed they were entitled to the land and that it was their diving right to extend from coast to coast. With this belief in place they were willing to do anything to attain the land.
Why was slavery such a big issue for America?
The north didn't want the South to have mroe power in Congress, the South saw slavery as individual rights that Congress couldn't take away.
Several other reasons
What were America's motives in the War?
To gain land
spread slavery (for some)
Possible other reasons
What role did lack of leadership play in the war?
American had good, well trained leaders and a stable government to direct them and supply them with resources and troops
Mexico had a weak and disorganized government and their generals were more preoccupied with stabbing each other in the back than with actually fighting the war.
What were some reason's Giddings opposed the war?
Didn't believe Polk's reasons
thought it was dumb to go to war over Texas
several other reasons