Mexican-American War Causes and Effects

Mexican-American War Causes and Effects

• Annexation of Texas: Mexico opposed Texas joining the U.S., seeing it as still Mexican territory.
• Manifest Destiny: American belief in westward expansion, including land held by Mexico.
• Border Disputes: Disagreement over the Texas-Mexico border location.
• Slavery: Southern desire to expand slavery into new territories.
• U.S. Gains Territory: The U.S. acquired vast territories (California, Arizona, New Mexico, among others) following the war.
• Increased Slavery Tension: The debate over slavery in newly acquired territories widened the North-South divide.
• Native American Displacement: Native American populations were displaced as the U.S. expanded.

Key Events Leading to the Civil War

• Missouri Compromise (1820): Attempted to balance slave and free states by drawing a line; slavery permitted below, banned above.
• Compromise of 1850: Set of laws regarding slavery, including making California a free state and enacting a stricter fugitive slave law.
• Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854): Allowed residents of Kansas and Nebraska to decide on the issue of slavery, sparking violent conflict.
• Dred Scott Decision (1857): Supreme Court ruling denying citizenship to African Americans and forbidding the banning of slavery in territories.
• John Brown's Raid (1859): Abolitionist attempt to ignite a slave uprising at a federal arsenal; resulted in heightened Southern fears and tensions.
• Lincoln's Election (1860): Lincoln's anti-slavery stance and win of the presidential election motivated Southern states to secede and form the Confederacy.

Republican Party Formation and Lincoln's Election

• Republican Party Formation: Created in the 1850s to oppose the expansion of slavery; composed largely of former Whigs and others against the expansion of slavery.
• Lincoln's Rise to Prominence: Lincoln gained popularity through debates with Stephen Douglas, arguing against slavery's expansion.
• Lincoln's Presidential Candidacy (1860): Lincoln ran as the Republican candidate.
• Southern Secession: The Democratic party's division allowed Lincoln's victory, causing Southern states to secede out of fear of abolition, triggering the Civil War.

Explore the significant causes and effects of the Mexican-American War. This quiz covers the annexation of Texas, Manifest Destiny, border disputes, and the implications for slavery and Native American populations. Test your understanding of this pivotal moment in American history.