Annexation of texas
In 1812, the Mexican government allowed Moses Austin to establish a colony in a large part of the Mexican territory. There were a few parameters, settlers had to become Mexican citizens and join the Catholic church. In 1830, there were 25,000 Americans in Texas. Tensions began to rise between the settlers and Tejanos, people living in Texas of Mexican origin. The Americans no longer wanted to take orders from Mexican officials and many disliked that all documents were in Spanish. The Tejanos were upset that many settlers did not plan to become Mexican citizen and did not appreciate the customs and traditions of the Mexicans. The Mexican government responded by closing immigration to Americans.
Stephen Austin, son of Moses Austin, went to the Mexican government to try and negotiate a solution, but he was thrown in jail, adding fuel to the fire. Soon many of the American settlers were calling for a revolution. After the release of Austin in 1835, the Texans revolted against the Mexican authorities. Even though the Texans suffered defeat in the Battle of the Alamo, resulting in the death of all of the men defending the old mission, the Texans were able to win independence, They surprised the Mexican army outside of Houston and were able to gain their independence. President Polk annexed Texas as a US state in 1845, though the Texans and Mexicans did not agree on the border of Texas. Texans believed that the border for the south and east of the state was at the Rio Grande, while Mexicans though that the border should be at the Nueces River.
Stephen Austin, son of Moses Austin, went to the Mexican government to try and negotiate a solution, but he was thrown in jail, adding fuel to the fire. Soon many of the American settlers were calling for a revolution. After the release of Austin in 1835, the Texans revolted against the Mexican authorities. Even though the Texans suffered defeat in the Battle of the Alamo, resulting in the death of all of the men defending the old mission, the Texans were able to win independence, They surprised the Mexican army outside of Houston and were able to gain their independence. President Polk annexed Texas as a US state in 1845, though the Texans and Mexicans did not agree on the border of Texas. Texans believed that the border for the south and east of the state was at the Rio Grande, while Mexicans though that the border should be at the Nueces River.
Causes of the Mexican American War
President Polk believed strongly in manifest destiny. He wanted to expand the United States as far as it could go; he set his eyes on New Mexico and California, Mexican territory. First he sent John Sidell to try and buy the land for no more than $30 million, but officials would not even meet with him. Then, Polk ordered US troops to patrol the area near the Rio Grande. The troops were fired by Mexican officials on April 25, 1846. This was what President Polk needed to convince Congress to engage with the Mexicans in war,m saying that American soldiers were fired on while on American soil. Congress approved the declaration for war on May 11, 1846.
Mexican American War
The plan for war was to have General Zachary Taylor invade deep into Mexico while Colonel Stephen Kearny was located in New Mexico and California. Taylor's troops fought several battles south of the Rio Grande, but Taylor was not as interested in invading Mexico as Polk was and on several occasions did not go after Mexican troops with much effort after winning a battle. Polk changed his plan and ordered General Winfield Scott to take an army and sail to Veracruz, take control of the port, and invade the capital of Mexico, Mexico City. Scott succeeded and his troops entered Mexico City on September 14, 1847. The fighting of the Mexican American War had ended.
Battle of Buena vista
General Taylor and his 5,000 men were by Polk ordered to meet up with General Winfield Scott and his troops who would be arriving in Vera Cruz and marching to Mexico City. As Taylor was transitioning to this position, General Antonio Lopez of Santa Anna saw an opportunity to attack. With 20,000 troops, he marched to Taylor's troops and demanded their surrender on February 22. The next morning Santa Anna ordered an all out assault. By mid day Taylor had to use all of his reseveres to keep the front line strong. These new men were able to stabilize the front line, the attack was stalling. Taylor used this opportunity to make avery daring move, an attack on Santa Anna numerous troops. The unexpected move did not allow the Mexican troops to finish off the Americans. Santa Anna had over 3,400 casualties, while Taylor only had 650 men fallen.
For more information on the battles of the Mexican American War visit:
http://www.pbs.org/kera/usmexicanwar/war/battles_of_the_war_overview.html
http://www.pbs.org/kera/usmexicanwar/war/battles_of_the_war_overview.html
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Nicholas Trist was sent by Polk to negotiate a treaty with Mexico. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was agreed on by the negotiators and congresses of both nations. Mexico agreed to give up a large part of their territory known as the Mexican Cession, including the land in present day California, Nevada, Utah, parts of Colorado, parts of Wyoming, Arizona, and New Mexico. The United States agreed to pay the Mexican government $15 million for the land and protect the Mexican citizens living in the Mexican Cession.
A divided nation
The Mexican American War was very controversial. Democrats were strongly in favor of the war, while Whigs questioned whether the initially conflict occurred on American soil like Polk had said. Polk was a southerner, prompting many of the northerners to see the war as a way for Polk to increase slavery states. Some people simply thought it was wrong to forcefully take land from a nation through war.
HOw did the mexican american war transform the nation?
The Mexican American war left the United States with a large new piece of land stretching from New Mexico to California. This paved the way for further settlement west and the California Gold Rush.