War Chart: Mexican-American War 1846-1848

Causes Manifest Destiny Texas (was part of Mexico, independent in 1836, annexed to U.S. in 1845 – Mexico unhappy about all of it) U.S. offered to buy California for $5 mill., then $25 mill. – Mexico insulted

Spark Pres. Polk orders Zachary Taylor to cross Nueces River and wait to be attacked It happens April 25, 1846

Strategy Americans Use Navy as well as Land forces Attack Mexico City California Mexico City Attack Mexico City Fight until you get where you’re going

Mexico Guerilla tactics Constantly train new troops 20,000 trained for Mexico City alone

Key/Turning Point Battles Santa Fe (1846) Monterey (1846) Buena Vista (1847) Mexico City (Sep. 1847) Actually a series of battles

Heroes (and Goats) Americans Zachary Taylor Stephen Kearney Winfield Scott James K. Polk

Mexican Heroats Santa Anna 4 boys at Chapultepec US Army deserters (Saint Patrick’s Battalion)

Costs ($ and Lives) Americans Over 13,000 dead $70 Mill ($1.1 bill. Different conversion rate based on per capita income of U.S. residents)

Cost cont. Mexicans Over 25,000 dead – according to some estimates, may be higher

Treaty Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (Feb. 2, 1848) Terms Gives California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada to U.S. Mexico gives up Texas and sets boundary at Rio Grande U.S. pays Mexico $15 mill. for land we took

Non-Treaty Results/Long-term Significance Proves worth of U.S. military academies More respect for U.S. military power Bad relations with Latin America Slavery extension to new territories Gave experience to young officers who are anxious for more war