Essay on The Mexican-American War - 1466 Words

The Mexican-American war determined the destiny of the United States of America, it determined whether or not it would become a world power and it established the size of the United States of America. Perhaps the war was inevitable due to the idea of Manifest Destiny - Americans thought they had the divine right to extend their territory. The Mexican-American War started mainly because of the annexation of the Republic of Texas (established in 1836 after breaking away from Mexico). The United States and Mexico still had conflicts on what the borders of Texas was, the United States claimed that the Texas border with Mexico was the Rio Grande, but the Mexicans said that it was the Nueces River, so the land in between were disputed and†¦show more content†¦During the battle of Resaca de la Palma, both sides engaged in vicious hand to hand fighting, the American Cavalry managed to capture the Mexican Artillery resulting in the Mexicans retreating and rerouting, but because of t he terrain, Arista could not rally his troops. The Mexicans had heavy casualties and were forced to abandon their artillery and other supplies. Fort Brown caused more casualties when the Mexicans were crossing the river of Rio Grande. A month later, on June 14th 1846 in California, native English speaking people arrested the Mexican governor and imprisoned him and declared California the California Republic. Sloat claimed Monterey and took control of the California Republic. Later he transferred his command to Robert F. Stockton under the orders from congress. At the same time, Kearny with 1700 US troops marched to Sante Fe, New Mexico and took control. Kearny later proceeded with 300 dragoons along the Gila River valley. Later on, he sent back 200 of his 300 dragoons believing the war in California was over. But he clashed with the Mexican militia the settlement of San Pasqual because he mistakenly believed that it would be a miss match in the favor of him. He was de featedShow MoreRelatedThe Mexican American War Essay1223 Words   |  5 PagesUnited States of America has been through many wars, wars concerning many things such as land oil, pride and respect. However, when the United States went to war with Mexico, it was planned over greed. The Mexican- American war was a war provoked by the United States, in efforts to expand the coasts of the country. Mexico was a small under privileged country who had previously to the war had already lost part of their country (Texas). Needless to say this war was cut throat and violent, it was howeverRead MoreThe Mexican-American War Essay870 Words   |  4 Pagesdisregard for the toll a war can take on human lives. When the Alamo was fought back in February 1836, it was about the independence of Texas from Mexico. In retaliation of the death and destruction of human life, Sam Houston retaliated in April and killed 630 Mexican soldiers and took General Santa Anna prisoner (Tindall Shi, 2010). This was t he start of the independence of Texas and the quest for annexation into the United States, which ultimately led to the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848. ThisRead MoreEssay The Mexican-American War1216 Words   |  5 PagesThe Mexican-American War. The Mexican-American war was a process of years of battles between the Mexicans and Americans but I think after this informational paper, you’ll seem to know a little bit more knowledge about it. How it all started, well in the beginning, the Americans and Mexicans both wanted to control Texas, but at the time it was a part of the Mexican territory, well soon enough Americans wanted control over it so badly that they started to travel into Texas’s land. Part of the reasonRead MoreCause Of The Mexican American War1864 Words   |  8 PagesThe Mexican-American war, also known as the Mexican war happened between 1846 and 1848 with the participants being United States of America and Mexico. Texas, previously a Mexican state, was the primary cause of the war. A series of disagreements had occurred between Texans and the Mexican government leading to Texas declaration of its independence in 1836. Later, Texas decided to join the United States as the 28th state and this infu riated Mexico. Additionally, border disagreements came up withRead MoreThe American Army in the Mexican War1085 Words   |  5 Pagesrepel invasions. This two level arrangement formed the basis of military establishment during the war. The U.S. army was not prepared for the war. The congress authorized 8613 men and officers for the war but, the actual number was fewer than 5500. Many regimental commanders entered before the War of 1812 but, were too elderly and infirm for an active duty. Looking at the poor state of army during the war, the Congress increased the number of private individual companies to hundred. This turned outRead MoreMexican American War Essay4448 Words   |  18 PagesIntroduction/Background The Mexican American War began on April 25, 1846. The war lasted two years losing many men on both sides. The Mexican war was the third major fought by the United States. In 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla triggers the beginning of Mexico’s fight for independence from Spain. Mexico gained its independence in 1821 after a long and bloody revolution against Spain. For Mexico, the war between them and the United States was a fight to keep their institutions and national integrityRead MorePolitical Outcomes of the Mexican-American War2030 Words   |  9 PagesPolitical Outcomes of the Mexican – American War Post the Mexican – American War in 1846, there would be a plethora of political change that would be inevitable for the Mexicans, and the Americans. These changes would bring about a divide between the two countries that would keep them in a rivalry spanning over numerous decades. However, before this rivalry could occur, something would be needed to induce it. The Mexicans and the Americans would fight against each other for over a year until aRead MoreCompare and contrast the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War.1456 Words   |  6 PagesThe War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War are two wars that physically appear two opposites. The War of 1812 involves plenty of naval battles and a few major land battles, while the Mexican-American War involves numerous land battles and few, if any, naval battles. However there are numerous similarities. The War of 1812, The US saw Great Britain as a major problem because of their definition of contraband and the impressment of American sailors into the British Navy. And around this time theRead MoreEssay about The Mexican War as an Exercise in American Imperialism1152 Words   |  5 PagesThe Mexican War as an Exercise in American Imperialism The US government believed firmly in the doctrine of Manifest destiny, the government argued that they had the right and duty to expand through North American because it was necessary and inevitable. During the 19th century Mexico dominated a large amount of North America which was inhabited by American settlers and the American government aimed to expand the USA from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and wereRead MoreThe Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The treaty that ended the Mexican-American War in 1848.2104 Words   |  9 PagesThe Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which came into effect on 2 February 1848, ended the Mexican-American war and formally resolved territorial disputes resulting from that conflict. The treaty required the U.S. government to pay the Mexican government $15 million dollars, this in return for an expanse of territory that later became the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Utah, Nevada, and Colorado. I intend to argue that the treaty benefitted the people who inhabited, and later came to inhabit