The Mexican War Essay, Research Paper

Introduction

Get downing in 1845 and stoping in 1850 a series of events took topographic point that would come to be known as the Mexican war and the Texas Revolution. This paper will give an overview on non merely the events that occurred ( conflicts, pacts, dialogues, ect. ) But besides the political relations and concluding behind it all. This was a war that involved America and Mexico combat over Texas. That was the base for the full ordeal. This series of events contained some of the most dramatic war scheme that has of all time been implemented.

What Caused This War?

In 1845 the U.S attempted to Annex Texas. Basically America wanted Texas to go one of the provinces instead so and independent state by itself. At this clip Texas was an independent state that was non a portion of America or Mexico. Mexico wanted to maintain Texas impersonal if non a portion of its ain state. When the U.S attempted to annex Texas Mexico became outraged, & # 8220 ; In November 1843 Mexico had warned that if the United States should perpetrate the & # 8216 ; unheard-of aggression & # 8217 ; of prehending an built-in portion of & # 8216 ; Mexican district & # 8217 ; Mexico would declare war & # 8221 ; ( Bound for the Rio Grande, 62 ) . Despite the warning the U.S attempted to annex Texas. In making so Mexico retaliated by interrupting off all diplomatic dealingss with the U.S. Mexico felt that the U.S was dissing them by non taking them earnestly when they threatened with war. So at this point America showed a really big involvement in possessing Texas. America was really near to really geting Texas when they made their first error in the war.

The U.S requested the besides be given the Rio Grande. The Rio Grande was South of Texas and clearly belonged to Mexico ( refer to calculate 1 ) . The U.S felt that the Rio Grande was portion of Texas and should be given to the U.S with Texas. Mexico would non give up the Rio Grande because they were certain that the Rio Grande belonged to them. America & # 8217 ; s greed is THE major ground this struggle occurred. The U.S besides believed the Mexico should hold to pay for any of the U.S & # 8217 ; s debts that were incurred during Mexico & # 8217 ; s struggles with Spain. America was in debt 3 million dollars because of the Mexico and Spanish struggles and America really strongly believed that these debts were Mexico & # 8217 ; s mistake and they should hold to pay for them. Mexico felt like it was Americas mistake that they had to pay anything and they [ Mexico ] should non hold to pay & # 8220 ; Mexico felt no duty to pay and they felt as though America was trying to utilize them as a beginning of income & # 8221 ; ( The Texas Military Experience, Website )

These are all legitimate grounds for this war to happen but they did non hold the consequence of & # 8220 ; Manifest Destiny & # 8221 ; . During this clip in American history America had the turning feeling of Manifest Destiny. This was the desire to spread out westward. This westbound motion brought many Americans into Mexican district. At this clip Mexico controlled California and most of the southern parts of the western districts. Mexico & # 8217 ; s job was that even though they possessed these districts they did non hold a population and big plenty Military force to command them. They were unable to order or dwell the districts so America fundamentally took them over without a battle. Mexico was really defeated with this quandary they were in, excessively much district non plenty work forces to command it.

Some Events Leading Up to the War

The tenseness was mounting between the U.S and Mexico. Some people could see war in the hereafter but U.S President James K. Polk was in charge of this state of affairs. He decided to utilize avoid taking these districts by force and attempt to purchase them from Mexico.

President Polk sent John Slidell to purchase New Mexico and California for 25 million dollars. In this trade the U.S would let Mexico to maintain the Rio Grande and the U.S would retreat and parade from Mexican districts. The President of Mexico at this clip was Santa Anna. Santa Anna was infuriated with the U.S at this point in clip and he refused to see Slidell about negociating the districts. So John Slidell returned to President Polk without of all time holding seen Santa Anna. So President Polk went with & # 8220 ; Plan B & # 8221 ; and started Mobilizing Troops. He ordered major Zachary Taylor to progress towards the Rio Grande. Major Taylor was given 4,000 work forces for his run. On April 25th, 1846 a party of Mexican Soldiers surprised and defeated a little group of Major Taylor & # 8217 ; s horse merely north of the Rio Grande. After this President Polk approached Congress with the suggestion of declaring war on Mexico, after Congress heard about the slaughter of the American horse they agreed with Polk. On May 13th, 1846 the U.S declared war on Mexico.

Great Leaderships in the War

The first of many great leaders in this struggle would hold to be President James Polk ( see figure 2 ) . He was president when the United States achieved its greatest territorial growing. During his presidential term, the American flag was raised over most of the country now organizing nine Western States, and Texas became a member of the Union. Polk successfully directed the Mexican War, which won much of this district. He carried out every point of his political plan & # 8220 ; Of all other American presidents, merely George Washington had such a clear record of success & # 8221 ; ( universe book Polk ) . After President Polk, would be General Zachary Taylor ( see figure 3 ) . His bravery and leading made him a national hero. General Taylor won many important conflicts in the beginning center and terminal of this war. After the war he used his gallantry as a base to go President. He became president but died after 16 months in office. General Scott was following on the political hierarchy. General Scott was one of the best strategians in the war. He was capable of winning as the under-dog at both Conteras and Churubusco. His walked his troo

PS in to Mexico City after he captured it. His biggest triumph was when he captured Vera Cruz.

Finally we meet the leader of the Mexican Army, President Santa Anna ( see figure 4 ) .

Santa Anna was the leader of the Mexican forces. He was elected 11 times but he was frequently overthrown due to his opinion as a dictator. But he was a great politician and did a good occupation at looking out for Mexico & # 8217 ; s Best involvements.

Battles in the War

One of the first conflicts fought was the conflict of Palo Alto. General Taylor & # 8217 ; s military personnels met the Mexican Forces commanded by Mariano Arista on a field merely nor’-east of Brownville, Texas. This took topographic point on May 8th, 1846. The first large-scale conflict was the Battle of Resaca de la Palma. This took topographic point on May 9th, 1846, merely a twenty-four hours after the conflict of Palo Alto. General Taylor Taylor & # 8217 ; s ground forces of 2,300 work forces destroyed 5,000 work forces under Arista. Taylor & # 8217 ; s foremost two triumphs allowed him to traverse the Rio Grande and occupy Mexico. Taylor continued his run with the conflict of Buena Vista. Taylor & # 8217 ; s 5,000 work forces defended a narrow mountain base on balls against Santa Anna & # 8217 ; s Army incorporating about 18,000 work forces. After 48 hours of contending Taylor & # 8217 ; s military personnels stood winning. With this Victory General Taylor established a house clasp on Northeastern Mexico. This conflict was fought from February 22nd & # 8211 ; February 24th, 1847 near the spread of Buena Vista. Directly following these 3 conflicts was one of the most of import conflicts of the full manner. This was the conflict of Cerro Gordo. About a month after Buena Vista Both Santa Anna and General Taylor has reinforced their Armies in hopes of pass overing the other out. On April 17th, 1846 General Taylor met Santa Anna on a narrow Mountain base on balls near Japala. General Taylor & # 8217 ; s 9,000 work forces forced Santa Anna & # 8217 ; s 13,000 work forces to fly after merely a twenty-four hours of contending. This conflict cleared the manner for Taylor & # 8217 ; s work forces to occupy Mexico City. After this conflict General Taylor established himself as one of the Prime Minister generals in the U.S. General Taylor had showed systematically that he could win with an ground forces much smaller so one of his oppositions.

The American General Adam Scott fought the following big conflict at Churubusco. General Scott & # 8217 ; s soldiers stormed the bastioned Mexican cantonment at Conteras. General Scott & # 8217 ; s 9,000 work forces attacked the cantonment or 30,000 Mexican military personnels and won. The cantonment was in the little small town of Churubusco 6 stat mis south of Mexico City. After about a twenty-four hours of contending the American military personnel has pushed the Mexicans all the manner back to the City where the Mexicans sought safety within the walls of the capital metropolis. Scott & # 8217 ; s work forces followed into Chapultepec. Chapultepec was the last conflict of the war before the gaining control of Mexico City. Scott & # 8217 ; s work forces attacked Chapultepec which was a bastioned hill guarding the metropolis Gatess.

Scott & # 8217 ; s work forces did non allow up for an full twenty-four hours until eventually the Mexican soldiers went into the capital metropolis. On September 12th Scott & # 8217 ; s work forces began their onslaughts and on the 14th they entered Mexico City.

Probably one of the most legendary conflicts that has of all time been fought was the Battle at the Texas mission known as the Alamo & # 8220 ; The Alamo was the apogee of all the fury and hatred that had built up in the sou’-west during the 1830 & # 8217 ; s & # 8221 ; ( vmi.edu Chapter 3, essay 1 ) In the conflict at the Alamo Santa Anna & # 8217 ; s forces attacked the mission for 13 yearss. The Texans had been utilizing this mission as a munition and the tested their best to support it. After 12 yearss the Texans had run out of ammo. With nil but their fists and blades to contend with they held strong as the Mexicans stormed the Mission. The Texans fought with passion and bravery but lost in the terminal because of their deficiency of ammo. The Siege of the Alamo lasted from February 23rd & # 8211 ; March 6th 1836.

Consequences Of the War

The war resulted in 13,000 American soldiers dead and over 71 million dollars in costs. The U.S gained over 525,000 square stat mis of land, the U.S Gained California, and other smaller parts of southwesterly provinces. At this clip the issue of slaves was a really het one. It was decided by the U.S authorities that the new district would be made slave free once it was inhabited. The war gave important preparation to many future soldiers who would contend and take in the civil war. Some of these work forces include:

1. Ulysses S. Grant

2. William T. Sherman

3. George B. McClellan

4. George Gordon Meade

5. Robert E. Lee

6. Stonewall Jackson

All of these work forces besides performed in some manner in the Mexican war and Texas Revolution.

Despite all of Americas Victories Mexico refused to subscribe a peace pact. Santa Anna so resigned and the new authorities agreed to subscribe the pact. The pact was signed February 2nd 1848 at the small town called Guadalupe Hidalgo. In the understanding the U.S paid Mexico $ 15 million for the districts that became known as the Mexican sezession.

Decisions

The Mexican War was fought between the United States and Mexico over dissensions that had been roll uping for two decennaries. In the class of the war, United States forces invaded Mexico and occupied the capital, Mexico City. By the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the United States acquired from Mexico the parts of California, Nevada, and Utah, most of Arizona and New Mexico, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. But many historiographers believe the war was an unneeded onslaught on a weaker state. I believe that the war was unneeded. I don & # 8217 ; t believe it needed to be fought at all and that over clip the U.S could hold acquired more of the western district. This was a war fought because of greed non because of subjugation or belligerency but on the evidences of greed entirely. I do non believe that the loss of that many work forces was necessary to carry through the end of deriving western district.