The Mexican-American War: A Brief Overview

What is the Mexican American war?

The Mexican American War, also known as the Mexican War, was an armed conflict that took place between the United States of America and the United Mexican States (Mexico) from 1846 to 1848. The origins of the war can be traced back to the annexation of the independent Republic of Texas by the United States in 1845. Mexico, under the leadership of President/General Antonio López de Santa Anna, considered Texas to be part of its territory and never recognized its independence.

American intervention in Mexico

After the annexation of Texas, tensions between the United States and Mexico escalated. In 1845, newly elected U.S. President James K. Polk ordered troops to the disputed border region between the two countries. Simultaneously, he also sent a diplomatic mission to Mexico to try and resolve the territorial disputes peacefully. However, the Mexican government's refusal to negotiate led to a series of skirmishes between American and Mexican forces.

In April 1846, Mexican forces crossed the Rio Grande and attacked a U.S. Army patrol, killing several American soldiers. In response, President Polk asked Congress to declare war on Mexico, citing the attack as a violation of U.S. sovereignty. The United States Congress quickly approved the declaration of war, and the Mexican-American War officially began.

Over the course of the two-year conflict, American forces achieved several significant victories, including the capture of Mexico City. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on February 2, 1848, ended the war and officially recognized the annexation of Texas by the United States. In addition, Mexico ceded vast territories in the present-day southwestern United States, including California, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, Nevada, and Utah.

The Mexican-American War had far-reaching consequences for both countries. For the United States, it marked the fulfillment of Manifest Destiny and laid the groundwork for the westward expansion of the nation. For Mexico, the loss of so much territory to its northern neighbor was a significant blow that would shape its relationship with the United States for decades to come.

What were the main causes of the Mexican American War?

The main causes of the Mexican American War were the annexation of Texas by the United States, the territorial disputes between the two countries, and the Mexican government's refusal to negotiate peacefully with the U.S. Additionally, the belief in Manifest Destiny, the idea that the United States was destined to expand its territory across the continent, played a significant role in fueling American expansionism and ultimately leading to the war.