The U.S.A. and Mexico went into a war between 1846 and 1846. According to Griswold; “some of the fundamental issues that led to war were; annexation of Texas, the U.S desire for California, as well as, some territories in Mexico" (286). Factually, the Americans offensively invaded Mexico from the east through Veracruz port, from the north through Texas, and into the West (New Mexico and California). Griswold adds that, "the Americans won all the major battles due to the superior artillery they had over the Mexicans." According to Porterfield, "American General Winfield Scott captured the city of Mexico in Sept 1847, and this marked the ultimate straw for the Mexicans, who agreed to sit down and negotiate." Porterfield argues that, "the war was disastrous for Mexico because they were forced to sign away also half of their national territory i.e. California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah among other parts of the United States.” This paper comprehensively discussed the unfolding of the Chicana history in U.S.
In reference to Porterfield, “then American President, James Polk planned to invade and hold all the territories he desired.” The president directed General Stephen of Fort Leavenworth together with 1,700 men to set an invasion to California and New Mexico (Porterfield, 20). In keeping with Porterfield, “Kearny successfully captured Santa Fe and later separated his forces. Some went to South being led by Alexander Doniphan, who captured the Chihuahua." At the time, the war had already escalated in California where Captain Fremont led some 60 men. The group led American settlers in California to revolt against the Mexican Authority. In his mission, Fremont was assisted by US Navy vessels (Porterfield, 21). Porterfield, further indicates that, "the struggle between the Mexican authority and the Captain Fremont men when on for some months until the arrival of Kearny and his Army, when they jointly capture the Mexican northwest by January 1847" (22).
General Taylor's Invasion
Trist, Cuevas, Couto and Atristain state that, "General Taylor Zachary had arrived in Texas with his army and then waited for hostility to break out.” At the time, a huge convoy of Mexican soldiers had already arrived at the border where Taylor had routed twice; at the battle of Resaca de la Palma and the battle of Palo Alto." For the duration of the two battles, the superior artillery brought about the difference and the losses forced the Mexicans to retreat to Monterrey where they were followed by Taylor and he captured the city on September 1846. Taylor prevailed again and captured the city of Buena Vista of 23rd Feb 1847. During the time, the Americans were optimistic to have proved the point, all the invasions by Taylor and gone well, and California was strongly under U.S. power. The Americans sent envoys to Mexico, optimistic that they could end the war and possess the land they had desired, but Mexican were steadfast. Later, the president and his advisors decided to make other invasions.
General Scott's Invasion
Through General Scott's advice, the easiest route to Mexico City was via the port of Veracruz. According to Griswold; “it took General Scott a short siege before the city was surrendered” (286). General Scott marched inland and defeated Santa Anna on 18th April at the battle of Cerro Gordo. Scott had arrived at the gates of Mexico City and defeated Mexicans at the Battles of Churubusco and Contreras thus gaining the grip in the Mexico City. In keeping with the Independence Hall Association, both sides agreed to a concise armistice, Scott hoped Mexicans were then willing t o negotiate, but they refused to let go their territories. General Scott decided to make another attack and crushed Mexican fortification at Molino Del Rey and later assaulted Chapultepec fortress an Academy for the Mexican army. The falling of the army forced the Mexicans to retreat and tried to cut the Americans supply lines fruitlessly.
Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty
According to Gutierrez, “the diplomats and politicians from Mexico finally backtracked and were compelled to parley in earnest, and for several months they met with their counterpart from US (Nicolas Trist)” (32). Nicolas Trist had been ordered by the president to secure the entire north part of Mexico in any peace accord. Both sides came to an agreement on February 1848, and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was enforced. The Mexicans signed over the entire Utah, California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and some parts of New Mexico. This was done in exchange of $15 million and exculpation of approximately $3 million more in preceding liability. Gutierrez (31) notes that Rio Grande was placed as the new border of Texas. All persons living within the attained territories and a number of tribes of Native Americans would reserve their properties and were given American citizenship. Lastly, it was agreed that future disagreement amid the two nations would be settled through mediation and not warfare.
Mexican-American War Legacy
Porterfield indicates that “although the legacy of the Mexican-American war is overly unnoticed as compared to the American civil war that took place 12 years later this war was of equal magnitude to the American History” (65). Arguably, the expansive territory of land gained during the war comprise of a significant percentage of American territory today. In addition, gold was later discovered in California, and this made the newly acquired land even more precious and valuable. In keeping with Gutierrez, "the Mexican-American War was heavily marked as a precursor of Civil War” (26). Gutierrez further indicates that “the majority of the important generals who took part in the Mexican-American Civil War were; William Tecumseh, George McClellan, Ulysses Grant among others” (32). Moreover, the strain between slave states in the southern USA and the Free States in the North was worsened by increased new territories. This quickened the inception of the civil war.
According to Porterfield, the Mexican-American War marked the reputations of future United Stated Presidents. Abraham Lincoln, then a congressman made a name for himself when he vocally opposed the war. Jefferson Davis, the later president of the Confederate States of America, took the chance of distinguishing himself at the time of war. Griswold (145) states that if the war turned to be a roll-over prize for the U.S. it was an adversity for the Mexicans. Porterfield also notes that “with the inclusion Texas, Mexico lost more than half of its territory between 1836 and 1848, the war left Mexico in political, social, and economic ruin” (45). In addition, many peasant groups took advantage of the confusion brought about by war and lead rebellion throughout Mexico. The worst revolt was in Yucatan, Trist; et al. notes that, “hundreds of people got killed in the uprising.” Arguably, even as the Mexican has long forgotten the War, there are those who are silently angered by the theft of their expansive land and humiliation that led to treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (Griswold, 152). Arguably, there is no realistic chance that Mexico will ever reclaim its possession but many Mexican still believe the territory belongs to them and because of the Mexican-American War there is still much bad blood between the two nations that have lasted for many decades. The relation between the U.S. and Mexico remained bad until the World War II when Mexico and U.S joined for a common cause.
Works Cited
Almaguer, Tomás. “Chapter 1- ‘We Desire Only a White Population in California’: The Transformation of Mexican California in Historical-Sociological Perspective” & “Chapter 2-‘the True Significance of the Word ‘White’.” Racial Fault Lines: The Historical Origins of White Supremacy in California. Berkeley: UC Press, 1994, 1-44 (44pp).
Griswold, Del C. R. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: A Legacy of Conflict. Norman: U of Oklahoma P, 1990. Print.
Gutierrez, David G. “Chapter 1- Legacies of Conquest.” Walls and Mirrors: Mexican Americans, Mexican Immigrants, and the Politics of Ethnicity. Berkeley: UC Press, 1995, 1-38 (38pp.)
Porterfield, Jason. The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848: A Primary Source Examination of the Treaty That Ended the Mexican-American War. New York: Rosen Central Primary Source, 2006. Print.
The Independence Hall Association. "The Mexican-American War [ushistory.org]." US History. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.
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"Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo." Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.
"The U.S.-Mexican War. Resources. Primary Sources | PBS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.
Trist, N. P., Cuevas P. Luis, Couto Bernardo, and Atristain Migl. "Avalon Project - Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo; February 2, 1848." Avalon Project - Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.
