Explanation:
The Mexican-American War
The Mexican-American War began because of conflict in Texas. Mexico had won its independence from Spain in 1821. But its northern frontier in places such as Texas and New Mexico was thinly settled. Mexico wanted to increase settlement in Texas. So starting in 1824, Mexico welcomed American settlers.
Many Americans flocked there. By the 1830s, in fact, they outnumbered Hispanics in Texas. But they were not happy under Mexican rule. The situation became desperate when President Antonio de Santa Anna gave himself absolute power. He even closed down the Mexican Congress. American and Mexican settlers in Texas joined to rebel in the fall of 1835. Mexico fought to keep Texas, but failed. The Mexican army was finally defeated on March 13, 1836, at the Battle of San Jacinto. Texas declared itself independent. It later applied for statehood and became a state in 1845.
Texas statehood upset Mexico. But the US wanted much more than Texas. President James Polk wanted to extend the US to the Pacific Ocean. He sent a representative to Mexico City to settle a border dispute with Texas. Even more important, he wanted to buy New Mexico and California. But the Mexican President refused to meet the Americans.
In January 1846, an angry President Polk ordered American troops to an area between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande. Texas claimed it and so did Mexico. Mexico stated that the US border was at the Nueces River. The United States stated that it was farther south at the Rio Grande. Mexico saw the American troops south of the Nueces as an invasion. On April 25, Mexican troops crossed north of the Rio Grande to meet them. In fighting that followed, several US soldiers were killed or injured. The battle took place in the disputed territory between the two rivers. But Polk said that Mexico had invaded the United States. He said Mexicans had killed American troops on American soil. The United States declared war on May 13.
US troops under General Winfield Scott attack a fortress in Mexico City during the Mexican-American War.
The Mexican-American War lasted for two years. The United States invaded northern Mexico and blockaded both coasts. In September of 1847, US troops captured Mexico City. The war ended soon after with the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo. It was signed on February 2, 1848.
The terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo doubled the size of the United States and extended the territory of the US to the Pacific Ocean. The treaty also ended New Mexico’s political connection to Mexico.
The treaty was not good for Mexico. Mexicans in the areas turned over to the United States could become American citizens. The United States agreed to pay Mexico more than $18 million. But Mexico lost more than half of its territory, including Texas.
On the other hand, the treaty gave the United States everything it wanted. For the first time, the United States reached from sea to sea. The American flag now flew over both California and New Mexico. Texas stretched south to the Rio Grande. The United States got the gold in California. It now had the silver mines of Nevada. It gained copper from Arizona. From New Mexico the United States got wool. All or part of the present states of California, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, and Wyoming were carved from this huge piece of land.
The northern part of Mexico became US territory after the Mexican-American War. All or part of seven states were created from the Mexican Cession.
The treaty was an important document because of the way it changed the United States and Mexico. The United States gained vast new lands. It obtained new ports and the riches of new mines and fertile lands.
Americans soon forgot this treaty. But Mexicans did not. The treaty was a humiliation for their country. A long period of turmoil followed—and an even longer period of distrust and resentment. But a new generation of leaders created a new Mexico which, though aware of its history, was very proud of its rich heritage.
