The Mexican-American War took place in 1846, but to truly understand it, we need to rewind to 1830. Mexico had just gained independence from Spain in 1821 after a long and tough revolution. However, the new nation was struggling. Mexico was much larger back then, covering around 4.5 million square kilometers. After fighting for eleven years, the country was dealing with internal chaos and lacked the resources to build a stable government.
Mexico faced threats from within due to rebellions and from outside, as Spain still had a presence in nearby Cuba. The Mexican government was unstable and not ready for international conflicts. Meanwhile, the United States was expanding its territory, having already acquired the Louisiana Territory and moving further into Native American lands.
Amid Mexico’s internal problems, some regions wanted independence. Texas declared its independence in 1836. Initially, the U.S. was hesitant to annex Texas because of political concerns about adding another slave state. However, when President Polk was elected in 1844, he supported the annexation of Texas and wanted to acquire California and New Mexico. The U.S. quickly moved to make Texas part of the country.
On December 29, 1845, Texas was annexed, leading to disputes over its southern and western borders. Tensions rose when Mexican cavalry attacked U.S. soldiers in the disputed area on April 25, 1846, prompting the U.S. Congress to declare war on May 13, 1846.
The origins of the war are complex, involving an unprepared Mexico and a U.S. eager to expand. Ulysses S. Grant, who later became a U.S. president, opposed the war and suggested that the U.S. wanted to provoke conflict without looking aggressive.
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, a controversial Mexican leader, returned from exile to lead the Mexican army against U.S. forces. The U.S. initially won battles at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, but the conflict continued with significant battles and territorial gains for the U.S.
In New Mexico, American troops faced little resistance and claimed the territory without a fight. In California, a series of military actions led to U.S. control over the region.
As the war progressed, the U.S. achieved victories in battles like Monterrey and Buena Vista, despite challenges from the Mexican army. The U.S. Navy played a crucial role in securing supply lines and helping move troops.
General Winfield Scott led a major amphibious landing at Veracruz, starting a campaign toward Mexico City. After battles at places like Cerro Gordo and Churubusco, U.S. forces occupied Mexico City, causing Santa Anna to retreat.
The war ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which gave the U.S. vast territories, including Texas, California, and New Mexico, in exchange for $15 million. This significantly expanded U.S. territory and raised questions about the future relationship between the two nations and the implications of such territorial gains.
The Gadsden Purchase later defined the current border between Mexico and the United States, solidifying the outcomes of the conflict.
Research the key events leading up to, during, and following the Mexican-American War. Create a detailed timeline that includes dates, significant battles, political decisions, and treaties. Use visuals like images or maps to enhance your timeline and present it to the class.
Divide into two groups and prepare for a debate. One group will argue that the Mexican-American War was justified, while the other will argue against it. Use historical evidence and quotes from figures like Ulysses S. Grant to support your arguments. Present your case to the class and engage in a respectful discussion.
Using a blank map of North America, color and label the territories before and after the Mexican-American War. Highlight the areas acquired by the United States through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Gadsden Purchase. Discuss how these changes impacted the political landscape of the time.
Choose a historical figure involved in the Mexican-American War, such as President Polk, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, or a soldier from either side. Research their perspective and role in the conflict. Present a short monologue or dialogue with another student, expressing your character’s views and experiences during the war.
Examine primary sources from the Mexican-American War, such as letters, newspaper articles, or political cartoons. Analyze the perspectives presented in these documents and discuss how they reflect the attitudes and beliefs of the time. Share your findings with the class and consider how these sources contribute to our understanding of the war.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
The Mexican-American War occurred in 1846, but to understand its context, we must look back to 1830. Mexico had gained independence from Spain in 1821 after a lengthy revolution and armed conflict, but the country was in turmoil. At that time, Mexico was larger than it is today, covering about 4.5 million square kilometers. After eleven years of war, Mexico faced significant internal struggles and lacked the resources to establish a stable government.
The newly independent nation dealt with threats from internal rebellions and potential invasions from Spain, which still had a presence in nearby Cuba. The Mexican government was characterized by instability and was ill-prepared for international conflict. When war with the United States broke out in 1846, the U.S. was expanding its territory, having already acquired the Louisiana Territory and pushed deeper into Native American lands.
Amidst Mexico’s internal issues, several regions sought independence, with Texas declaring its independence in 1836. Initially, the U.S. hesitated to annex Texas due to political concerns about adding another slave state. However, after the election of President Polk in 1844, who advocated for the annexation of Texas and the acquisition of California and New Mexico, the U.S. quickly moved to incorporate Texas.
On December 29, 1845, Texas was annexed, but this led to disputes over borders, particularly the southern and western boundaries. Tensions escalated when Mexican cavalry attacked U.S. soldiers in the disputed area on April 25, 1846, prompting the U.S. Congress to declare war on May 13, 1846.
The war’s origins are complex, involving an ill-prepared Mexico and a U.S. eager to expand. Ulysses S. Grant, who opposed the war, later suggested that the U.S. aimed to provoke conflict without appearing aggressive.
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, a controversial figure in Mexican politics, returned from exile to lead the Mexican army against the U.S. forces. Despite initial victories for the U.S. at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, the conflict continued with significant battles and territorial gains for the U.S.
In New Mexico, American troops faced little resistance and claimed the territory without a fight. Meanwhile, California saw a series of military actions leading to the U.S. establishing control over the region.
As the war progressed, the U.S. achieved victories in various battles, including Monterrey and Buena Vista, despite facing challenges from the Mexican army. The U.S. Navy played a crucial role in securing supply lines and facilitating troop movements.
General Winfield Scott led a significant amphibious landing at Veracruz, which marked the beginning of a campaign toward Mexico City. After a series of battles, including Cerro Gordo and Churubusco, the U.S. forces occupied Mexico City, leading to Santa Anna’s retreat.
The war concluded with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ceded vast territories to the U.S., including Texas, California, and New Mexico, in exchange for $15 million. This acquisition significantly expanded U.S. territory, raising questions about the future relationship between the two nations and the implications of such territorial gains.
The Gadsden Purchase further defined the current border between Mexico and the United States, solidifying the outcomes of the conflict.
War – A state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country – The American Civil War was a pivotal conflict that determined the future of the United States.
Mexico – A country in southern North America, known for its rich history and cultural heritage – The Mexican Revolution of 1910 was a major armed struggle that transformed Mexican society and government.
Texas – A state in the southern United States, which was once an independent republic – Texas declared its independence from Mexico in 1836, leading to the formation of the Republic of Texas.
Territory – An area of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state – The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States, adding vast new territories for exploration and settlement.
Independence – The state of being free from outside control or not subject to another’s authority – The Declaration of Independence, adopted in 1776, marked the American colonies’ assertion of freedom from British rule.
Conflict – A serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one – The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States, characterized by ideological conflict and proxy wars.
Annexation – The action of annexing something, especially territory – The annexation of Hawaii in 1898 extended U.S. territory into the Pacific and increased its influence in the region.
Battles – Large-scale, armed fights between organized armed forces – The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, marking the last major Confederate attempt to invade the North.
Treaty – A formally concluded and ratified agreement between countries – The Treaty of Versailles officially ended World War I and imposed heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany.
Expansion – The action of becoming larger or more extensive – The westward expansion of the United States in the 19th century was driven by the belief in Manifest Destiny, the idea that Americans were destined to expand across the continent.
