The Mexican American War &Transfer of Power
Interest in California Interest in California grew as a result of American desires for natural resources in the territories of California, and the constant idea of fulfilling Manifest Destiny through the expansion of US territories westward. The attraction of the territories in California resulted in tensions between the Mexican government and America. Under James K. Polk’s presidency, the influence of Manifest Destiny prevailed rapidly throughout America which led Polk to and American’s to go forth with the expansion of US territories westward and gaining complete control of California.
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Prior to the Mexican American War, the Mexican government’s intention of overthrowing the Spanish rule of California in the 1820s succeeded with the defeat of Spanish rule. Mexico had finally gained independence from the Spanish in what was referred to as Alta California. In favor of Mexico gaining its independence, the nation’s economy hoped for an expansion and integration with the lavish natural resources that were available. Mexico’s government grew to be weak and corrupt, but opening up access to international trade changed their economic downfall. During the Rancho period in 1820s, international trade increased rapidly and as an outcome, California grew economically for a positive transformation. California had an abundant surplus of goods and relied heavily on the foreign markets for trade.
Natural Resources & International TradeIn the 1830s and early 1840s, the hide-and-tallow trade stood as a necessity for importing foreign goods as well as gaining revenue for the Mexican government. Cow hides were also known as California’s “banknotes” which meant that the hides were used for and as money (Hurtado 23). The hide and tallow trade was California’s primary resource for trade and economic growth. The trade dominated the Mexican California economy throughout the 1840s due to the abundances of rich land and raw materials available. With the increase in international communication and trade, the hide and tallow embodied a colonial relationship between the frontier Mexico and industrializing the United States (Hurtado 24). In addition to the international trade with California’s surplus of goods, the population of foreigners residing in California increased dramatically. Many foreigners and Americans because to realize that California possessed an abundance of natural resources. |
Tension between mexico & United States
With the population of foreigners residing in California, came the United States’ goal of fulfilling Manifest Destiny. Manifest Destiny was the main idea that drove the United States want for territorial expansion in North America from coast to coast (Crawford). The United States’ acquisitions of Florida, Louisiana, and Texas had proven that God’s will provided successful expansion thus far. The United States posed a clear interest in California by offering to purchase the land from the Mexican dictatorship because they believed that they were superior to the Mexican race. The Mexican government refused all the offers made by Polk which led to an increase in tension between both countries. Although it is said that the acquisition of the Californian territories could potentially be a peaceful gaining, the United States pushed for control enough to where it led to violence.
One of the causes that led to the Mexican American War was the victory of Mexico granting Texas’s independence. In the 1830s, US citizens were allowed to settle in Texas as long as they took an oath of allegiance to Mexico by following their laws. The American population in Texas began to rise as many saw this as an opportunity to settle on new land. As the population of US immigrants continued to rise in the 1830s, Mexican officials grew concerned with the United States’ intentions of settling in Texas and they feared that the United States would continue to push westward by acquiring New Mexico and California along with Texas.
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The social and political differences that stood between the Americans and Mexicans subsided in Texas and led to much tension between the two. In the attempt of gaining Texas’s independence, General Antonio Santa Anna was forced to sign Treaty of Velasco which entailed the withdrawal of Mexican forces and confiscation of Texas under the United States. General Santa Anna was later exiled for leading his country to the loss of Texas. Mexico’s loss of Texas led to an intense resentment toward the United States and the country’s ties were broken (Crawford).
The official annexation of Texas was only recognized by the United States because Mexico still believe that Texas was their land. Tensions arose as both countries had their own beliefs as to who had control of Texas and because both countries believed that they were in possession of Texas, President Polk sent out General Zachary Taylor to guard the land of Texas and Mexico at the foot of the Rio Grande River. Taylor resided north of the Rio Grande as the Mexican south. The US troops built Fort Texas as an indication that Texas was theirs. This resulted in the start of the Mexican American War. Mexican troops opened fire upon the United States’ troops from across the Rio Grande River while occupying Fort Texas to fight for what they thought was their territory.
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the mexican american war
The first two major battles that occurred during the start of the Mexican American War was the Battle of Palo Alto and the Battle of Resaca de la Palma. Mexican General Mariano Arista led his troops through the Mexican city Matamoros in attempts to over throw the United States. Both attempts steered the United States to the victories of General Taylor’s shockingly outnumbered force. General Taylor was able to lead his army further into northern Mexico in the city of Matamoros where the Mexican troops had retreated in battle.
By May 13th, 1846, President Polk had declared war. Due to the Battle of Resaca de la Palma, the Mexicans
resided further south toward Monterrey, which gave the United States a chance to move further south within Mexico. The next major battle that occurred was the Battle of Monterrey in the Nuevo Leon. General Taylor headed southward to Monterrey where he again defeated Mexican troops amongst Mexican General Ampudia’s headquarters. The American advances in combat artillery were of great significance to their defeats which continuously proved to themselves that their tactics have been effective during the beginning of the war.
As the United States still continued to expand westward, the US troops continued to stand guard and occupy the Gulf of Mexico by seizing ports within Mexico. As General Taylor was planning his next move to gain more of Mexico’s land, General Santa Anna once again took presidency of the Mexican government. Santa Anna was able to successfully rebuild Mexico’s armies to 20,000 men, with hope that Mexico will finally win back what they had lost to the United States. So General Santa Anna led his troops north toward the Americans in Monterrey with confidence that his plan will suffice and the hopes that Mexico will finally be granted a victory. As both countries collided in the village of Buena Vista, another battle emerged. The battle of Buena Vista shed distress as Mexico almost overran the US armies, but in the end, more than half of Santa Anna’s men were killed. Neither countries gained a win because both withdrew after an intense three day battle.
In President Polk’s opinion, General Taylor was not advancing into Mexican territories at the pace he had expected, so Polk appointed Major General Winfield Scott to reorganize the US armies and also appointed a new task; to attack Veracruz in order to capture the capital Mexico City. In the final battle between Mexico and the United States, Major General Winfield guided his army toward Mexico City. They were able to surpass a numerous number of Mexican soldiers defending the causeways. In Mexico’s defense, the American’s faced a challenging battle, but gained another victory against the Mexican government.
resided further south toward Monterrey, which gave the United States a chance to move further south within Mexico. The next major battle that occurred was the Battle of Monterrey in the Nuevo Leon. General Taylor headed southward to Monterrey where he again defeated Mexican troops amongst Mexican General Ampudia’s headquarters. The American advances in combat artillery were of great significance to their defeats which continuously proved to themselves that their tactics have been effective during the beginning of the war.
As the United States still continued to expand westward, the US troops continued to stand guard and occupy the Gulf of Mexico by seizing ports within Mexico. As General Taylor was planning his next move to gain more of Mexico’s land, General Santa Anna once again took presidency of the Mexican government. Santa Anna was able to successfully rebuild Mexico’s armies to 20,000 men, with hope that Mexico will finally win back what they had lost to the United States. So General Santa Anna led his troops north toward the Americans in Monterrey with confidence that his plan will suffice and the hopes that Mexico will finally be granted a victory. As both countries collided in the village of Buena Vista, another battle emerged. The battle of Buena Vista shed distress as Mexico almost overran the US armies, but in the end, more than half of Santa Anna’s men were killed. Neither countries gained a win because both withdrew after an intense three day battle.
In President Polk’s opinion, General Taylor was not advancing into Mexican territories at the pace he had expected, so Polk appointed Major General Winfield Scott to reorganize the US armies and also appointed a new task; to attack Veracruz in order to capture the capital Mexico City. In the final battle between Mexico and the United States, Major General Winfield guided his army toward Mexico City. They were able to surpass a numerous number of Mexican soldiers defending the causeways. In Mexico’s defense, the American’s faced a challenging battle, but gained another victory against the Mexican government.
Transfer of power
At the final point of Mexico’s defeat, the United States finally ended with a victory in occupying Mexico City. On September 14th, 1847 America unofficially ended the Mexican American War and the battles between both countries came to an end. By February 2nd, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed. Mexico had finally surrendered their territories of California and New Mexico in return of fifteen million dollars from the United States. This peace treaty gave the United States the cession of several states that of course reside in the United States today, but most importantly California.
In conclusion, the Mexican American War was a major effect of the key interest of California. From the opening of international trade, under the Mexican rule, and the high demand for California’s surplus of raw materials such livestock, California continuously proved that it was not just any piece of land, but significantly an abundance of great potential for those who acquired it. Due to the American’s conquest for fulfilling the idea of Manifest Destiny, the idea of expanding their territories from coast to coast, President James K. Polk made it possible by leading the Mexican American War to an American victory, by gaining more land from Mexico than just the state of California.
In conclusion, the Mexican American War was a major effect of the key interest of California. From the opening of international trade, under the Mexican rule, and the high demand for California’s surplus of raw materials such livestock, California continuously proved that it was not just any piece of land, but significantly an abundance of great potential for those who acquired it. Due to the American’s conquest for fulfilling the idea of Manifest Destiny, the idea of expanding their territories from coast to coast, President James K. Polk made it possible by leading the Mexican American War to an American victory, by gaining more land from Mexico than just the state of California.
Discussion Questions:
1. What interests did foreigners have on gaining control of the California's territories?
2. Briefly describe why the tensions between Mexico and the United States arose.
3. When Mexico finally surrendered, what peace treaty was signed ?
2. Briefly describe why the tensions between Mexico and the United States arose.
3. When Mexico finally surrendered, what peace treaty was signed ?
Crawford, Mark, David Stephen Heidler, and Jeanne T. Heidler. Encyclopedia Of The Mexican-American War. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO, 1999. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 15 Mar. 2015.
Hackel, Steven “Land, Labor, and the Production: The Colonial Economy of the Spanish and Mexican California.”
Hurtado, “Intimate Frontiers,” Chapter 2.
Hackel, Steven “Land, Labor, and the Production: The Colonial Economy of the Spanish and Mexican California.”
Hurtado, “Intimate Frontiers,” Chapter 2.