WAR WITH MEXICO
The War with Mexico, or the Mexican-American War, lasted from 1846 until 1848. The war was a result of the annexation of Texas. Texas had gained it's independence from Mexico in 1836 and wanted a "manifest destiny". Manifest destiny was the idea of the United States spreading across the ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
The first of the battles between the U.S. and Mexico was a series of U.S. victories. Mexico had lost nearly one third of it's territory. These territories included nearly all of present day California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Mexico returned fire on April 25th, 1845 when a Mexico cavalry attacked U.S. soldiers that were under the command of General Zachary Taylor. Nearly a dozen soldiers were killed in the attack. Taylor was able to call in reinforcements and was able to defeat the Mexican Army.
On May 13th, 1846, Congress declared war on Mexico. There was never any official declaration of war from Mexico. The war lasted two years with victories and losses from both sides before the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed on February 2nd, 1848. Mexico recognized the U.S. annexation of Texas and also agreed to sell California and the rest of it's northern territory of Rio Grande for $15 million.
Fun Fact: While the United States officially declared war on Mexico, Mexico never officially declared war on the United States.
The first of the battles between the U.S. and Mexico was a series of U.S. victories. Mexico had lost nearly one third of it's territory. These territories included nearly all of present day California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Mexico returned fire on April 25th, 1845 when a Mexico cavalry attacked U.S. soldiers that were under the command of General Zachary Taylor. Nearly a dozen soldiers were killed in the attack. Taylor was able to call in reinforcements and was able to defeat the Mexican Army.
On May 13th, 1846, Congress declared war on Mexico. There was never any official declaration of war from Mexico. The war lasted two years with victories and losses from both sides before the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed on February 2nd, 1848. Mexico recognized the U.S. annexation of Texas and also agreed to sell California and the rest of it's northern territory of Rio Grande for $15 million.
Fun Fact: While the United States officially declared war on Mexico, Mexico never officially declared war on the United States.