Mexican-American War
From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Mexican-American War took place between 1846 and 1848 between the United States of America and Mexico.
[edit] Causes and background
Texas earned its independence in 1836. Texas had applied for entrance into the United States, but was not made a part of the United States until almost 10 years later in 1845 becuase of the question of slavery in the state. Texas claimed the border with Mexico was the Rio Grande, but Mexico claimed the border was the Nueces River.
President James K. Polk and the Democrats wanted the United States to have a lot of territory. They had been trying to buy the disputed land and other territory from Mexico, but Mexico would not sell. Polk sent troops first to the Nueces River and then to the Rio Grande in disputed territory. Polk and others were basically looking for a fight with Mexico to get the territory they wanted.
[edit] Fighting
It is unclear whether the United States or Mexico started the war. It is also unclear on which side of the Rio Grande the fighting started. Claims were made by both sides that they were attacked first. Mexico claims that U.S. troops had crossed the Rio Grande and were in Mexican territory when the U.S. troops then shot at Mexican troops. Regardless, a formal war soon followed.
In addition to small units sent to California and New Mexico, the United States sent two major armies into Mexico under the commands of future President of the United States General Zachary Taylor and General Winfield Scott.
[edit] Peace and aftermath
The war ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. The treaty gave a lot of Mexican territory to the United States. Out of this land, the United States would carve out many states, including California, Arizona, and Utah. In return, Mexico received 15 million dollars.
The slavery debate in the United States became more intense with the addition of the new territory and the question of whether slavery would be legal in these new territories. Also, many of the officers who would lead troops in the American Civil War fought in the war and would use their experiences in the coming Civl War.
