Describe the course of the Mexican-American war results
The Mexican-American War took place between 1846 and 1848. It was a conflict between the United States and Mexico over territorial disputes and the annexation of Texas.
The war began when the newly annexed state of Texas, which was previously part of Mexico, sought to establish its southern boundary along the Rio Grande River. However, Mexico claimed that the border lay along the Nueces River, which was farther north. There were also tensions over unpaid claims and the treatment of American citizens in Mexico.
In April 1846, a skirmish occurred between Mexican and American troops along the disputed border, resulting in several Americans being killed or captured. This incident, known as the Thornton Affair, became the catalyst for the outbreak of hostilities.
President James K. Polk, who favored Manifest Destiny and aggressive territorial expansion, used the incident as justification to ask Congress for a declaration of war against Mexico. The request was granted, and the Mexican-American War officially began.
The U.S. forces, led by General Zachary Taylor, launched a series of successful military campaigns against the Mexican army. They achieved significant victories at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and Monterrey. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy also blockaded Mexican ports, cutting off Mexico's access to international trade and weakening its economy.
In early 1847, General Winfield Scott devised a plan to invade Mexico through the Gulf of Mexico. The American forces landed at Veracruz and captured the city after a short but intense siege. They then marched towards Mexico City, engaging in battles such as Cerro Gordo and Chapultepec.
The fall of Mexico City in September 1847 marked a major turning point in the war. With their capital occupied and their forces depleted, Mexico was forced to negotiate a peace treaty. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed on February 2, 1848, officially ending the war.
As a result of the war, Mexico was forced to cede approximately 55% of its territory to the United States. This included the present-day states of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. In return, the United States paid Mexico $15 million and assumed $3.25 million in debts owed to American citizens.
The Mexican-American War had far-reaching consequences for both countries. It significantly expanded the territorial size of the United States, while Mexico suffered the loss of a large portion of its territory. The war also intensified sectional tensions in the United States over the issue of slavery, as the newly acquired territories triggered debates about whether they should be free or slave states.