Introduction
The history of human development spans several thousand years. There were people in history who thought about wars and revolutions. It is essential to understand that people have never stopped fighting throughout their history. One of the most common types of war is a war over territory. The desire of rulers to expand their countries’ borders and establish their own rules on new lands was an integral part of the history of humanity. One such conflict is the Mexican War which occurred in 1846. A detailed examination of the war’s events and the causes and consequences will provide an opportunity to better understand the relations between Mexico and the United States at that time.
Causes
After independence in 1776, the United States began to expand and colonize new territories. After a few decades, the leaders of the U.S. never lost their appetites. They still wanted to colonize more territories, and the Republic of Texas was no exception. The United States government, led by President James K. Polk, recognized Texas as an independent territory and wanted to join the U.S. On the other hand, Mexico’s leader, Antonio López de Santa Anna, and his government considered the lands of The Republic of Texas their territory. This conflict of interest was the main reason for the war.
In addition to expanding its territory, an important reason for Americans to start a war was the usefulness of the lands of the Republic of Texas for the country’s economy. The government believed that the soils in these areas were relatively well-watered. It was to be an essential indicator for the use of land as an agricultural crop. In addition, Americans saw ownership of these lands as a vital factor for access to Asia through Pacific ports. In 1846, on 12 May, the United States Senate voted to declare war on Mexico when forty of the forty-two senators voted for this.
Events of the Mexican War
The war between Mexico and the United States lasted from 1846 to 1848. The economy of the United States of America was much better at the outbreak of the war and growing faster than that of Mexico. It is important to note that during the war, per capita income in the U.S. was three times that of Mexico. America was much better able not only to prepare for war but to support itself during it. The political situation in the United States was in a better state, as the country gained independence 40 years earlier than Mexico.
The United States forces advanced rapidly, winning after winning. One of the most significant battles of the Mexican War was the battle of Palo Alto. It involved 2,300 soldiers of the U.S. with General Zachary Taylor and 3,700 Mexican soldiers with General Mariano Arista. The battle resulted in the defeat of Mexican soldiers. The decisive moment was the invasion of central Mexico in September 1847 by U.S. forces and the successful occupation of Mexico City.
The Treaty and its Aftermath
Although losses on both sides were significant, the American government and President James K. Polk won the Mexican War. The conflict ended in 1848 with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signing on 2 February. As Mexico’s military defeat became increasingly apparent, and in September 1847, the Americans captured the capital, the Mexicans realized that negotiations were necessary. On the American side, peace envoy Nicholas Trist participated in the negotiations. He was supported by President James K. Polk and General Scott. On the Mexican side, a government representative, Don José Bernardo Couto, participated in the negotiations. For Mexico, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo meant relinquishing the lands of The Republic of Texas. America, in turn, had to pay Mexico $15 million for the land. As a result, the United States received the Rio Grande as a boundary for Texas and bought these lands.
Consequences and Significance of The Mexican War
The war between Mexico and the United States has been recognized as one of the most tragic events in the history of both countries. In addition to dying and being wounded by bullets in the course of military actions, thousands of people were dying of hunger, thirst, and many diseases caused by the inhuman living conditions of war. More than 13,000 American soldiers were killed. Mexican casualties are difficult to calculate since a significant number of graves could not be found or identified. Some historians believe that the death toll from Mexico’s side exceeds 25,000.
Consequently, their loss forced Mexicans to abandon their understanding that Texas was their territory. They ceded that territory to the Americans. Subsequently, the region of The Republic of Texas was divided, and states such as California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah were created. These lands had important mineral resources, which caused the California Gold Rush of 1849. In addition to gold, silver, copper, lead, and other minerals were found. Despite the advantages mentioned above, the United States’ victory in the Mexican War brought the country many misfortunes. Uncertainty about who would rule the new lands of the former Republic of Texas led to the Civil War, which resulted in the deaths of about 600,000 Americans.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it will might be emphasized that although the United States had gained new territories, that negatively affected the country. During this War, many soldiers were killed on both sides of the conflict. In addition, there were significant civilian casualties. Despite the victory of the U.S. in this War, it cannot be said that anyone benefited greatly from it.