Mexican American War

Mexican-American War

FAR-REACHING IMPACT

The purpose of this paper is to trace and establish the political effects of the Mexican-American War, fought between the two countries from 1846 to 1848. Also called the U.S.-Mexico War, it is known in the U.S. As plainly the Mexican War. In Mexico, as the North American Invasion of Mexico, the United States War against Mexico, and the War of Northern Aggression. This paper summarizes the background, causes, the conduct, and political implications of the war to illustrate its importance to both countries.

It developed from unsettled issues between Mexico and Texas (Miller, 2006; VandeCreek, 2004; Niccolazzo & Schults, 2006). Although the Republic of Texas won independence from Mexico in 1836 and was annexed by the United States in 1845, the Republic's southern and western borders remained in contention. The U.S. government offered to settle the debt if Mexico would allow to sell the territories of Alta California and Nuevo Mexico. Some Mexicans were offended by this. Then President James K. Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to seize the contested land when Mexican soldiers entered it. Many were killed in the clash. The U.S. Congress declared war against Mexico on May 13, 1846. Northerners generally disapproved of this act while Southerners generally approved of it (Miller, VandeCreek, Niccolazzo & Schultz).

US forces attacked Mexico in many angles. The U.S. Navy occupied California in cooperation with U.S. colonists (Miller, 2006; VandeCreek, 2004; Niccolazzo & Schultz, 2006). The U.S. Army occupied Santa Fe, New Mexico. Army General Stephen Kearny combined forces with naval troops to occupy San Diego and Los Angeles. The U.S. also won the Battle of Monterrey in September 1846. Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna himself fought in the Battle of Buena Vista, which was lost on February 22, 1847, a second army was sent to Veracruz by sea to invade the Mexican mainland. The Treaty of Cahuenza on January 13, 1847 stopped the clashes in California. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on February 2, 1848 sealed the conflict for the U.S. And its undisputed control of Texas, California and most of Arizona and New Mexico (Miller, VandeCreek, Miccolazzo & Schultz).

The largely Irish-constituted Saint Patrick's Battalion of 500 men who deserted the U.S. Army and joined the Mexicans attested to the brutality and racist prejudice of the United States forces (Miller, 2006; VandeCreek, 2004; Niccolazzo & Schultz, 2006). Many of the captured from this group were hanged and the rest were said to have become prisoners of war. Others, however, say that these renegades were traitors. They are considered heroes in modern-day Mexico. Many critics use this war to illustrate the U.S. government's expansionist tendencies and policies in North America as contained in its concept of Manifest Destiny (Miller, VandeCreek, Niccolazzo & Schultz).

Support Arguments

I. The Great Territorial Loss

A. resulting and lasting bitterness towards the U.S. By Mexico

B. Mexican President Santa Anna went into exile in Venezuela

II. The Issue of Slavery

A. The rift between the Northern and Southern States reflected their difference in opinion on the issue