Mexican War (1846)
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The Mexican–American War, also known as the Mexican War was a war between the United States of America and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 prior to the 1845 U.S. annexation of Texas, which Mexico considered part of its territory despite the 1836 Texas Revolution. James Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico City to make a deal to buy California. The Mexican government, pressured by its angry citizens, refused to sell the territory, which "snubbed" Polk. Out of frustration, Polk sent Zachary Taylor and 4000 troops to the Rio Grande river. It is there that Polk said 16 American troops were killed on American soil, thus initiating war. After approximately 2 years of fighting, Polk sent Nicholas Trist to negotiate treaties with Mexico. In 1848 the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was formed. The treaty gave America all Mexican land from Texas to California north of the Rio grande (The Mexican Cession opened the issue of slavery in western expansion). US paid $15 million for the land and $3.5 million in debt to Mexico. This war also trained Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee for the civil war against great generals such as Santa Anna.
Main Ideas:
- War between Mexico and America over the annexation of Texas
- James Polk sent John Slidell to mexico to buy California but initiated war instead
- 16 U.S. troops under Zachary Taylor "supposedly" killed at the Rio Grande; made Abraham Lincoln ask for the exact spot where they were killed ("Spot Resolutions")
- Santa Anna: Main Mexican general
- 1848 Polk sent Nicholas Trist to negotiate a treaty with mexico
- Formed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with Mexico
- Treaty gave U.S. all Mexican land north of the Rio Grande from Texas to California (the issue of slavery in these territories led to tension)
- U.S. paid some debt to Mexico as well
- Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant trained for the Civil War