The Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
The Mexican-American War (1846-1848) was the first U.S. armed war fought on foreign soil. It put a politically divided and militarily unprepared Mexico against the expansionist-minded government of U.S. President James K. Polk. Polk believed the United States had a “manifest destiny” to spread across the continent to the Pacific Ocean. A border clash along the Rio Grande started off the fighting and was followed by a series of U.S. victories. In then end, Mexico lost one-third of its territory, including nearly all of present-day California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico (Gonzales, Mexicanos). The war started on April 25, 1846, when Mexican cavalry attacked a group of U.S. soldiers, killing about a dozen. The Mexican cavalry then laid
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The Unites States, with the help of superior rifles and artillery–was able to defeat the Mexicans at the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. Two days later, on May 13, Congress declared war, despite opposition from some. No official declaration of war ever came from Mexico (Gonzales, Mexicanos).
On Feb. 2, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, establishing the Rio Grande as the U.S.-Mexican border. Under the treaty, Mexico also recognized the U.S. annexation of Texas, and agreed to sell California and the rest of its territory north of the Rio Grande for $15 million (Gonzales, Mexicanos).
Antonio Lopez de Santana was an American born Spanish (creole). He was a 19th century military officer who acted like the country's president and dictator at times. He was known to be called “Napoleon of the West”. Antonio Lopez de Santana was born on February 21,1794, in Jalpa Mexico. He also served as a Mexican politician and general. He was a big influence on Mexican Politics and government. He then was elected president of Mexico in 1833. He dominated Mexican history in the
The Unites States, with the help of superior rifles and artillery–was able to defeat the Mexicans at the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. Two days later, on May 13, Congress declared war, despite opposition from some. No official declaration of war ever came from Mexico (Gonzales, Mexicanos).
On Feb. 2, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, establishing the Rio Grande as the U.S.-Mexican border. Under the treaty, Mexico also recognized the U.S. annexation of Texas, and agreed to sell California and the rest of its territory north of the Rio Grande for $15 million (Gonzales, Mexicanos).
Antonio Lopez de Santana was an American born Spanish (creole). He was a 19th century military officer who acted like the country's president and dictator at times. He was known to be called “Napoleon of the West”. Antonio Lopez de Santana was born on February 21,1794, in Jalpa Mexico. He also served as a Mexican politician and general. He was a big influence on Mexican Politics and government. He then was elected president of Mexico in 1833. He dominated Mexican history in the