The Mexican-American War*
(April 1846- February 1848)
The Rising Tensions
Previous to the Mexican-American war the United States and Mexico were both young nations struggling to gain power. This was however where the similarities ended. The U.S. was thriving with new land and the belief of "Manifest Destiny.**" Mexico on the other hand was struggling with it's vast expanses of land, without enough resources to settle the newly gained territory. In the December of 1845 the United States decided to annex Texas, thus sparking a border dispute with Mexico. While the U.S. insisted that the western border of Texas was the Rio Grande, Mexico believed it to be Nueces River (on average 150 miles to the east.) The U.S. president James K. Polk, determined to continue enlarging the U.S. territory, sent a representative to attempt to purchase what was then New Mexico and California. The Mexican president refused to even speak with the representative. In March of 1845 Mexico severed all relations with the United States. In April of 1845 American soldiers were patrolling the Rio Grande, which the Mexican government considered their territory. There was a skirmish between the soldiers and the Mexican which resulted in 16 dead or wounded American soldiers. The U.S. president Polk viewed this as an excuse for a declaration of war on Mexico. He stated that "they invaded our territory and shed American blood on American soil."
The Battles
The Battle of Palo Alto:
The Battle of Palo Alto was the first large scale battle of the Mexican-American War. Around 300 Mexican soldiers were killed, almost double the amount of American soldiers killed.
The Capture Monterrey:
The Capture of Monterrey took over 4 days and killed hundreds of men from both sides. The Americans were however victorious. 450 men from each side were killed.
The Battle of Buena Vista:
The Battle of Buena Vista was an attack by the Mexican army on the reserves of the American army. It was also one of the more deadly battles of the war. Although the Mexican army was victorious they counted around 3400 dead, while the American army lost 650 soldiers.
The Capture of Veracruz:
The port of Veracruz was won by the American army leading to the beginning of the end of the war. The city had been extremely important for supplying the armies. Around 200 soldiers were killed altogether.
The Battle of Cerro Gordo:
The Battle of Cerro Gordo was another victory for the United States which led to over 3,000 Mexican soldiers captured. Deaths were approximated at 1,000 Mexican soldiers and 400 Americans.
The Battle of Contreras:
One of two battles fought on August 20th. The battle resulted in more deaths for the Mexican armies as well as a victory for the Americans.
The Storming of Chapultepec:
In another victory for the American armies that lasted around an hour and a half there were around 2000 deaths together.
The Battle of Palo Alto was the first large scale battle of the Mexican-American War. Around 300 Mexican soldiers were killed, almost double the amount of American soldiers killed.
The Capture Monterrey:
The Capture of Monterrey took over 4 days and killed hundreds of men from both sides. The Americans were however victorious. 450 men from each side were killed.
The Battle of Buena Vista:
The Battle of Buena Vista was an attack by the Mexican army on the reserves of the American army. It was also one of the more deadly battles of the war. Although the Mexican army was victorious they counted around 3400 dead, while the American army lost 650 soldiers.
The Capture of Veracruz:
The port of Veracruz was won by the American army leading to the beginning of the end of the war. The city had been extremely important for supplying the armies. Around 200 soldiers were killed altogether.
The Battle of Cerro Gordo:
The Battle of Cerro Gordo was another victory for the United States which led to over 3,000 Mexican soldiers captured. Deaths were approximated at 1,000 Mexican soldiers and 400 Americans.
The Battle of Contreras:
One of two battles fought on August 20th. The battle resulted in more deaths for the Mexican armies as well as a victory for the Americans.
The Storming of Chapultepec:
In another victory for the American armies that lasted around an hour and a half there were around 2000 deaths together.
Timeline of the Mexican-American War Battles
Changes in Boundaries
After the Mexican-American War Mexico was left with almost half of their original territory, while the U.S. had largely expanded. Not only was the Texas border set at the Rio Grande, but the United States also gained what would become seven different states. The southern border was established along the Rio Grande and stretching all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Points of View
Mexico: As another young country, Mexico viewed the United States as greedy. Not only had they just acquired Oregon and Texas, but they wanted more. They decided the border of Texas was 150 miles to the west of the border previously established. That was still not enough for them, they attempted to buy half of the Mexican land. When they refused they took it by force killing thousands in the process.
American People: At first the American people were excited about the idea of Manifest Destiny, and a stronger country. Slowly however the population began to realize what this would entail. They understood that it would mean wars and "bullying" other countries out of their land. After the Mexican-American war the people were left with doubts and concerns about the future of their country.
James K. Polk: Polk saw Mexico as a young defenseless country, easy to defeat. He saw not the lives to be lost, but the land to be had. Even previous to the 16 Americans killed at Rio Grande he had been preparing a proposition for war. The skirmish was just an excuse to declare war upon Mexico.
American People: At first the American people were excited about the idea of Manifest Destiny, and a stronger country. Slowly however the population began to realize what this would entail. They understood that it would mean wars and "bullying" other countries out of their land. After the Mexican-American war the people were left with doubts and concerns about the future of their country.
James K. Polk: Polk saw Mexico as a young defenseless country, easy to defeat. He saw not the lives to be lost, but the land to be had. Even previous to the 16 Americans killed at Rio Grande he had been preparing a proposition for war. The skirmish was just an excuse to declare war upon Mexico.
Results of the War
After the war both of the countries were left weak with thousands of soldiers killed. Relations between Mexico and the United States took a long period of time to return to their original state. Stereotypes between the two countries were reinforced. Citizens who had been inhabiting the lost territory were promised citizenship of the United States, although they were still treated as foreigners.
* Also named the Spanish Guerra de 1847, Mexican War, or Guerra de Estados Unidos a Mexico
** The doctrine that the United States was inevitably going to expand throughout the Americas.