Mexican-American war portfolio
The Mexican-American War, also known as the Mexican War, was a conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848. The war arose from the annexation of Texas by the United States in 1845, which Mexico considered to be a part of its territory. The conflict resulted in significant territorial gains for the United States, including the capture of present-day California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.
Here is a portfolio of key events, individuals, and documents related to the Mexican-American War:
1. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848): The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed on February 2, 1848, officially ending the Mexican-American War. Under the treaty, Mexico ceded a vast amount of territory to the United States, including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. The United States agreed to pay Mexico $15 million in compensation for the territory.
2. Zachary Taylor: Zachary Taylor was a major general in the United States Army and a key figure in the Mexican-American War. Taylor led American forces to victory in several battles, including the Battle of Palo Alto and the Battle of Monterrey. His success on the battlefield earned him the nickname "Old Rough and Ready."
3. Battle of Buena Vista (1847): The Battle of Buena Vista, fought on February 22-23, 1847, was a crucial engagement in the Mexican-American War. American forces, under the command of General Zachary Taylor, faced a much larger Mexican army led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna. Despite being outnumbered, Taylor's troops emerged victorious, securing a key American victory in the war.
4. Winfield Scott: Winfield Scott was a major general in the United States Army and one of the most prominent military leaders in the Mexican-American War. Scott led American forces in the successful invasion of Mexico City in September 1847, a campaign that ultimately led to the end of the war.
5. Manifest Destiny: The concept of Manifest Destiny played a significant role in the lead-up to the Mexican-American War. Manifest Destiny was the belief that it was America's destiny to expand westward and control the entire continent. This belief fueled the annexation of Texas and provided a justification for the war with Mexico.
6. Mexican Cession: The Mexican Cession refers to the territory ceded by Mexico to the United States as a result of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The Mexican Cession included present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming, significantly expanding the territorial reach of the United States.
7. Wilmot Proviso: The Wilmot Proviso was a proposed amendment to a congressional appropriations bill in 1846 that sought to ban slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico. The Proviso was a contentious issue that highlighted the growing divide between the North and the South over the expansion of slavery. Although the Wilmot Proviso was never enacted, it set the stage for future debates over the spread of slavery in the United States.
The Mexican-American War had far-reaching consequences for both countries, shaping the territorial boundaries of the United States and influencing the debate over slavery in the years leading up to the Civil War. By exploring the key events, individuals, and documents of the conflict, we can gain a better understanding of this crucial chapter in American history.