NOTES:
Mexican-American War:
-Also known as the Mexican War, the US-Mexican War, the Invasion of Mexico, the US Intervention, or the United States War Against Mexico
-An armed conflict between the United States of America and the United Mexican States from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 US annexation of Texas.
-Why: Mexico considered part of its territory despite the 1836 Texas Revolution
Hypocrite?: Having recently attained Independence from Spain in 1821, Mexico was fraught with internal struggles that verged on civil war, however it was relatively united in refusing to recognize the independence of Texas.
Manifest Destiny: Meanwhile, President Polk's spirity in Manifest Destiny was focusing US interest on westward expansion.
-It is speaking about westward expansion and how beneficial it is. Remember the Louisiana Purchase was less than 50 years ago during this time (1803).
Polk wants War: His message to Congress on May 11, 1846, stated that Mexico has passed the boundary of the US, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil."
-Congress approved the declaration of war on May 13, with southern Democrats in strong support.
Santa Anna, 2nd Chance: Once the US declared war on Mexico, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (he was exiled at this point) wrote to Mexico City saying he no longer had aspirations to the presidency, but would eagerly use his military experience to fight off the foreign invasion of Mexico as he had before.
-Santa Anna had secretly been dealing with the representatives of the US, pledging that if he were allowed back in Mexico through the US naval blockades, we would work to sell all contested territory to the US at a reasonable price.
-Once back in Mexico at the head of an army, Santa Anna broke his promise on both agreements. Santa Anna declared himself president of Mexico again, didn't sell land to the Americans, and unsuccessfully tried to fight of the US invasion.
Youtube Notes:
-November of 1845, John Slidell attempts to purchase Alta California from Mexico
-April 25, 1846, Thorton Affair: Mariano Arista first on American troops across the Rio Grande
-September 21, 1846, Battle of Monterrey: Zachary Taylor with 6,220 men, defeats Pedro Ampuida, who had 10,000 men
-February 22, 1847, Battle of Buena Vista: Zachary Taylor with 4,500 men, crushes Santa Anna, who had 20,000 men
-September 12, 1847, Battle of Chapultepec: "Halls of Montezuma", 13,000 Americans attack a fort outside Mexico City
-Captured Mexico City
-February 2, 1848, Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, America purchases the Mexican Cession and ends the war (purchase included the majority of Southwest America)
-Americans won the war, Mexico lost over half of its territory by giving up the Mexican session, and America added 1.2 million square miles of territory in buying it.
Key Players:
-James K. Polk
-Zachary Taylor
-Robert E. Lee
-Ulysess S. Grant
-Millard Fillmore
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