The Mexican-American War was a war fought between the United States and Mexico during the years 1846-1848. It was the first American war that took place in another country that being Mexico. It pitted a politically divided and militarily unprepared Mexico against the expansionist-minded administration of U.S. President James K. Polk, who believed the United States had a “manifest destiny” to spread across the continent to the Pacific Ocean (History.com) Manifest Destiny was a term used in the 19th century in which Americans felt that it was their destiny and right ‘by god’ to expand their country from coast to coast. President Polk felt the United States needed a westward expansion and the territories he wanted were: California, New Mexico …show more content…
Polk selected General Winfield Scott to command this assault and assigned him 12,000 troops. Scott sailed south aided by Commodore David E. Conner’s Home Squadron and on March 9, 1847 landed his forces near the port of Vera Cruz. He sent his 12,000 troops ashore in barge boats in what was the US Army’s first major amphibious landing. General Scott needed to take Vera Cruz quickly and decide on a massive artillery bombardment of the city. Using both Army and Navy artillery General Scott began the bombardment of Vera Cruz by shelling the city from both the sea and from shore batteries. General Scott took the city after a twenty-day siege and was ordered by President Polk to begin the 260 mile journey southward to Mexico City. Along the way General Scott battled Mexican General Santa Anna and they fought a series of bloody, hard-fought battles from the coast inland toward Mexico City. In the Mexico City campaign in 1847, General Scott repeatedly maneuvered his opponents out of their defensive positions. His chief engineer, Captain Robert E. Lee, helped scout the route for some of these flanking maneuvers. Scott was not averse to using frontal assaults if necessary, but he preferred to win victories by siege craft or turning movements. War to him was much like a game of chess that matched brains as well as brawn. General Winfield Scott (1786-1866) was one of the most important American military figures of the early 19th century
The blockade proposed by Lincoln was part of an overall strategy championed by General-in-Chief Winfield Scott that was derisively given the nickname ‘Anaconda’ by
However, when Confederate troops attacked Fort Sumter in 1861, Captain Grant heard the need and decided to return to service. He was promoted to Brigadier General as the war began. He proved himself through many different battle and strategies, such as the battles of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. Both of these victories were integral to the war effort and are considered the earliest significant
During the war Lincoln had had two priorities: to ensure that Washington was well defended, and to conduct a quick war effort to satisfy the northern demand for a prompt, decisive victory. Lincoln appointed Major General George B. McLellan as general-in-chief of all Union armies. It took McLellan several months to plan and attempt his peninsula campaign. McLellan took troops from Washington to go to Richmond. His constant delays and the lack of troops in Washington frustrated both Lincoln and congress.
Therefor, the U.S. was not justified in going to war with Mexico. U.S. historians refer to this event in particular as “ The Mexican War”; while in Mexico, the refer to it as “ the U.S. Invasion.” (Doc.C, Par.1) Troops commanded by General Zachary Taylor arrived at the Rio Grande across from the city of Matamoros President Polk’s orders in early 1846. Thus, occupying the territory in dispute and increasing the possibilities of battle. In the eyes of the Mexican Government,the mobilization of the U.S. Army was an outright attack on Mexico.
Robert E. Lee’s (1807-1870) contribution to the United States as a war general and commander received positive connotations for his commitment, attitude and inspiration on the battlefield. However, it is debateable about his contributions because of Robert Lee’s association in the Civil War (1861-1865) to the Confederate Army that fought for the Southern States. Robert Lee lead many successful campaigns and battles including the following; helping defeat Mexican armies that lead to U.S land gains and westward expansion, battles against a more powerful army in the Civil War. Despite these achievements Lee’s loyalty for the Confederate Army that fought to uphold slavery undermines his success and is highly debateable about whether his contribution is justified or not. Robert Lee’s contributions to his nation begin before the Civil War in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848).
His men were so badly beaten by the Mexican government that he had to fall back and reinforce his troops. While retreating slowly, his forces grew quickly picking up anyone he could recruit along the way. They finally crossed the Colorado River on March 26th. At this time, the Texas militia and also the President of the United States were becoming more critical of General Houston’s decision to keep retreating. General Houston believed he still needed more troops to win the battle though.
Young officers like Grant and parliamentarian E. Lee, UN agency would later lead armies against each other within the war, had their initial combat experiences in North American nation. Generals President Taylor and Scott won a series of exceptional victories against the Mexican armies. This success was in spite of the very fact that Mexican troops outnumbered the Americans in most cases. In Sep of 1847, once a masterful land campaign, American troops beneath Scott captured Mexico 's capital, Mexico City, and also the fighting terminated. With the losses adding up, Mexico turned to recent standby General Antonio Lopez Delaware Santa Ana, the strong man who had been living in exile in Cuba.
The fight between Mexican and American troops officially opened fire on April 25, 1846. It was a war that was fought for land where Mexico battled to keep what they thought was their property. The war consisted of eight major battles that were fought in different locations and with different Mexican and American officers. The first battle fought was the battle of Palo Alto on May 8, 1846. The war took place between Fort Texas and resulted in the American troops winning and Zachary Taylor protecting the Rio Grande.
General Zachary Taylor and Commodore David Conner led the American forces to victory. Monterrey and Veracruz were the only two main cities in northern Mexico that the Americans took by 1847. The Mexican army could not keep up with the Americans and was quickly defeated. After several setbacks, the Mexican government signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. Due to this pact, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas all received significant land transfers.
The big debate across the growing United States was the debate of slavery and which states would come in as free or slavery states. The Mexican-American War was a major turning point in this debate because it settled the debate over which states would become free or slavery states. This war lasted a little over a year and 9 months long on the border of the United States and Mexico (Texas and Mexico City). This war would helped settle many disputes, but the main debate it would settle would be the huge slavery debate. The Mexican-American War helped the United States gain new territory is the south-western part of the United States.
At the Battle of Buena Vista in February 1847, Santa Anna suffered heavy loss and was forced to withdraw. Winfield Scott landed in Veracruz and took over the city. They then began marching toward Mexico City, essentially following the same route that Hernán Cortés
He was afraid to risk failure so he never would risk doing anything. On the other hand, the Confederates leaders had General Robert E. Lee, who commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. He was considered a big risk taker. McClellan was not too worried about Lee or his army thinking that Lee was weak and too cautious but Lee was anything but that. General Lee gathered as many men as was available and attacked General McClellan on June 26, 1862 repeatedly for seven days.
At the beginning of the Mexican War, Santa Anna entered into negotiations with President James K. Polk. He offered the possibility of a negotiated settlement to the United States and was permitted to enter Mexico through the American blockade. Once in the country he rallied resistance to the foreign invaders. As commanding officer in the northern campaign he lost the
The Mexican-American War changed the Unites States of America in a monumental way. This war changed The U.S.A.’s relationship with foreign powers and the economic standpoint of the nation. The Mexican- American war, and its strong ties to manifest destiny, shaped the nation in a country bordered by two seas with a chance for common folk and foreigners to have a sustainable life due to the gold rush. The war can also be accounted for the downfall leading to the Civil War over the conflict of slavery due to the land purchased in the wars treaty. Conflict between Mexico and the United States began when Texas, previously part of Mexico, became part of the United States.
The United States war with Mexico continues to be a divisive topic among many people because of its background. The Mexican-American war was a fight between Mexico and America for land. America’s belief at the time was Manifest Destiny, which meant that they believed that America should extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific ocean. In the end, America benefited from the war and got the land. The United States expanded its size, achieving their dream of Manifest Destiny.