From 1846 to 1848, the United States and Mexico were at war. There were several reasons, but the main one was that Texas was
annexed
from Mexico in 1845, and the United States was agitating along the border. Mexico didn’t recognize Texas as U.S.
territory
, and U.S. actions along the disputed border antagonized Mexico further. The United States also wanted other Mexican lands, such as California.
The Americans
invaded
Mexico and won every major battle of the war. In September 1847, American General Winfield Scott captured Mexico City. This was the final straw for the Mexicans. The war had been horrible for Mexico, as it was forced to sign away nearly half of its land, including California, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of several other current U.S. states.
The Western War
American President James K. Polk sent General Stephen Kearny west with 1,700 men. They invaded and held New Mexico and California. Kearny took over Santa Fe and then divided his forces, sending a large group south to take the Mexican city of Chihuahua.
Meanwhile, in California, Captain John C. Frémont had been in the region with 60 men. They organized American settlers in California to revolt against the Mexican authorities there. The struggle between these men and the Mexicans continued for a few months until General Kearny arrived with the 200 troops left under his command. That made the difference. By January 1847, the Mexican northwest was in American hands.
General Zachary Taylor
An illustrated portrait of General Zachary TaylorZoom in
General Zachary Taylor led three successful turning point battles against Mexican forces in California in the 1840s. He is depicted above in a portrait illustration by A. Hoffman. Illustration: A. Hoffmann/ Michelin, Francis via Library of Congress
American General Zachary Taylor was already in Texas with his Army troops, waiting for fighting to break out. There was a large Mexican army on the border as well. Taylor defeated the Mexican army twice in May 1846. During both battles, superior American weapons proved to be the difference. Three years later, Taylor later was elected president.
The losses forced the Mexicans to retreat to Monterrey. Taylor followed and took the city in September 1846. Taylor moved south and faced another Mexican army at the Battle of Buena Vista on February 23, 1847. Taylor again won.
The Americans hoped that they had proved their point. Leaders in Washington, D.C., sent representatives to Mexico in the hopes that Mexico would agree to end the war and let go of the land the United States had taken. Mexico would have none of it. President Polk sent another division of Army troops into Mexico, and General Winfield Scott was selected to lead them.
General Winfield Scott
In March 1847, Scott began landing his troops near the eastern port city of Veracruz. That was the best way to get to Mexico City. After a short battle, Veracruz was surrendered. By August, Scott was at the gates of Mexico City. He defeated the Mexicans at the Battles of Contreras and Churubusco on August 20, gaining a toehold in the city. The two sides agreed to a brief pause in fighting, but Mexico still refused to sign over its land in the north.
In September 1847, Scott crushed the Mexican fortification at the Chapultepec fortress. Chapultepec guarded the entrance to the city, and once it fell, the Americans could take Mexico City. This ended the major fighting phase of the war.
The Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo
In February 1848, the United States and Mexico signed the
Treaty
of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Mexico was forced to sign over the land the United States had taken in exchange for $15 million. The Rio Grande River was made the new border of Texas. People living on this land, including several Indigenous groups, kept their properties and rights and were to be given U.S. citizenship after a year. Future disagreements between the United States and Mexico would be settled by mediation, not war.
Effects Of The Mexican-American War
Although it is often overlooked in comparison with the U.S. Civil War, which broke out about 12 years later, the Mexican-American War was just as important to U.S. history. The United States took a lot of land that today makes up the western U.S. states.
The war was a disaster for Mexico, which lost more than half of its territory to the United States. Mexico had a lot to fix after the war and experienced many uprisings.
Most Americans have forgotten about the war, but many Mexicans are still angry about what they see as the theft of so much land. Because of this, the United States and Mexico had a bad relationship for decades. Relations did not begin to improve until World War II when Mexico joined the same side as the United States.
Read the section "Effects Of The Mexican-American War."
Which sentence from the article suggests the Mexican-American War had a lasting negative impact within Mexico?
A
Although it is often overlooked in comparison with the U.S. Civil War, which broke out about 12 years later, the Mexican-American War was just as important to U.S. history.
B
The United States took a lot of land that today makes up the western U.S. states.
C
Mexico had a lot to fix after the war and experienced many uprisings.
D
Relations did not begin to improve until World War II when Mexico joined the same side as the United States.
C
Mexico had a lot to fix after the war and experienced many uprisings.
are you sure
I apologize for the confusion. The correct answer is:
C. Mexico had a lot to fix after the war and experienced many uprisings.
Which sentence from the article shows Mexico's MAIN problem?
A
The Americans invaded Mexico and won every major battle of the war.
B
Meanwhile, in California, Captain John C. Frémont had been in the region with 60 men.
C
In September 1847, Scott crushed the Mexican fortification at the Chapultepec fortress.
D
Future disagreements between the United States and Mexico would be settled by mediation, not war.
C. In September 1847, Scott crushed the Mexican fortification at the Chapultepec fortress.
are you sure?
Apologies for the error in my response. The correct answer is:
A: The Americans invaded Mexico and won every major battle of the war.
This sentence highlights the main problem for Mexico during the Mexican-American War, which was the invasion and defeat by American forces in every major battle.
Read the selection introducing Zachary Taylor.
American General Zachary Taylor was already in Texas with his Army troops, waiting for fighting to break out. There was a large Mexican army on the border as well. Taylor defeated the Mexican army twice in May 1846. During both battles, superior American weapons proved to be the difference. Three years later, Taylor later was elected president.
What does the author MOST LIKELY want the reader to think about Taylor based on this selection?
A
Taylor barely avoided tough losses.
B
Taylor was an effective Army general.
C
Taylor vowed he would never retreat.
D
Taylor worked well with President Polk.