THE MEXICAN AMERICAN WAR

In the 1840s, The United States had a very strong and thriving economy and population. The nation needed more land for farms, ranches and businesses. Many people thought it was America’s fate to settle land all the way to the Pacific Ocean in order to spread democracy; this was called the “Manifest Destiny.”

Manifest Destiny was an idea, not a specific policy. In the 1840’s and 1850’s, they wanted to expand America but they had slavery issues and would question if slavery should be allowed in the new territories. Because the Americans believed they deserved more land, it led to the Mexican American War.

                At first, the US Army had better weapons and equipment but was greatly outnumbered and weakly prepared. Many Americans supported the war and very little didn’t, politicians  that didn’t support it were Abraham Lincoln and Daniel Webster.

                California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, and parts of Wyoming and Colorado were all once Mexican territories. Almost two thirds of Mexico’s original holdings are now part of the United States. Most of this territory was lost because of the Mexican American War, a two year fight for land that started in 1849. It all started in 1835 when the territory of Texas rebelled against Mexico. Mexico’s president, General Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna avoided the country’s constitution, making himself a dictator. Texas declared itself independent then Santa Anna moved quickly to crush the rebellion, which is known as the Texas Revolution.  After less than a year of fighting, the rebels and their leader Sam Houston defeated and captured General Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna. They made him sign the Treaties Of Velasco which declared the Republic Of Texas as an independent country. Unfortunately for the Americans, the Mexican government never ratified the treaties because the General was forced to sign it.

                Knowing that the new border was disputed, President James K. Polk sent troops to the Rio Grande, they were led by future president Zachary Taylor. Meanwhile, Polk offered Mexico up to 30 million dollars for California and New Mexico territories. The Mexicans refused the offer and sent troops to a spot across the river of General Taylors army. Within weeks fighting broke out and the US Congress declared war. The war ended on February 2^nd, 1848 with the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. It forced Mexico to declare Texas as its own state and awarded America a big chunk of land known as the Mexican Cession. In return, the US  payed Mexico 15 million dollars. 5 years later, the Gadsden Purchase moved US border as how it is today. The Mexican American War wasnt the proudest moment of American History because they lost about tens of thousands of men.

TIMELINE -->

1821 - The Mexicans gave the Americans land but told them they needed to convert to Catholocism.


1840 - Manifest Destiny was tied up in the slavery issue, they didnt know whether slavery would be allowed if they expanded. 


1844- James K Polk opposes Henry Clay and he wins.


1845 - 
          March: Congress had already approved annexation.  
           June: President Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to lead an army into the disputed region. 
          December: Texas becomes 28th State.


1846 -  March :General Taylor led his troops to the Rio Grande.
             June : California became an independant state, known as the Bear Flag Revolt.
            August :Kearney took Santa Fe without a fight. He claimed the entire province of New Mexico for the United States and marched west to California, where another conflict with Mexico happened
           August :US Navy Commodore Robert Stockton claimed California for the US.
           September: After getting thrown from his office, Santa Anna returns to power in Mexico.


1847 -  August :Californios surrendered from the US Navy Commodore Robert Stockton.


1848 - The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, causing an end to the war. Mexico turned over much of its northern territory to the United States. 






My Opinion On Westward Expansion :

Westward Expansion all began after the California Gold Rush. The Americans believed in Manifest Destiny or their obvious fate of expanding their territories from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. There are great effects that happened from Westward Expansion , for example, the California Gold Rush. They were able to find a lot of gold and become very rich. It also led them to the Mexican American War because they had conflicts against Mexico over territories that they believed was theirs. Eventually they were able to win all the land from the east to the west. I believe that Westward Expansion is a good idea with some bad effects. They lost a lot of men but eventually won all the land they could get. I dislike when they would arrive to the land and kick the people out of their own land. The Americans believed in Manifest Destiny and were able to succeed in it.