Objectives:
SWBAT:
? List the causes of the Mexican War in writing
? Identify General Zachary Taylor in writing
? Explain what the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was orally when asked
? Identify the boundaries of the Mexican Cession by drawing them on their Westward Expansion maps

Materials Needed:
? Map of the Southwest showing Mexico
? Westward Expansion maps
? Colored pencils

Overview:
? Mexican leaders’ anger towards the U/S. deepened with the annexation of Texas
? Feeling worsened when President Polk offered to purchase California & New Mexico
? Mexico refused to sell, but prepared their army for the U.S. to try and take the land forcibly
? 1st battle of the Mexican War was led by General Zachary Taylor
? General Taylor’s troops were stationed along the Rio Grande River, the boundary between the U.S. and Mexico as the U.S. saw
? Mexico believed the border was the Nueces River, which was to the North.
? Mexico interpreted General Taylor’s troops as an invasion and General Santa Anna attacked in April of 1846 – the U.S. declared war
? General Taylor won several battles; General Kearny took control of New Mexico and then moved to California, where American settlers had already overthrown the Mexican rulers there
? 1847 – last of Mexican rulers were driven out of California and the Republic of California was formed
? Major victories for the U.S. near Mexico City caused General Santa Anna to sense defeat and request a peaceful end
? February 1848 – Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed to end war
? Terms of treaty: for 15 million dollars, the U.S. would receive California & New Mexico – called the Mexican Cession of 1848; the Rio Grand River was recognized as the border between Mexico and Texas; and the Mexicans living in U.S. territories would be granted U.S. citizenship

Procedure:
? Have students take notes during lecture
? Have students color and label the Mexican Cession of 1848 on their Westward Expansion maps

Evaluation:
? Active note taking
? Attentiveness
? Ask general questions to class