Mexican/American War

  • Mexican Independence From Spain

    Mexico gained independence just 20 years before the war, and was a young country.
  • Texan Independence From Mexico

    Now known as the Republic of Texas or Republica de Tejas. Mexico still doesn't see Texas as separate. Texas wanted to be a part of the United States, U.S. says no.
  • Election of James K. Polk

    In favor of annexing Texas, very into Manifest Destiny
  • John Slidell sent to negotiate Mexican/American border

    Slidell was sent by President Polk, was repeatedly denied by General Paredes and Mexican foreign relations to discuss the border because of the large amount of disputed land.
    Mexico's border: Nueces River
    U.S. border: Rio Grande
  • Annexation of Texas

    Texas is a state now!
  • Zachary Taylor stationed at Rio Grande

    The Mexican Army, led by General Mariano Arista, settles opposite the Rio Grande Fort at Matamoros.
  • Attack on American Fort

    General Mariano Arista and army bombards fort with cannonballs. Mexican gunpowder was not very strong, cannonballs practically rolling.
  • Battle of Palo Alto

    Ended in a standstill, both sides spent the night on the battlefield
  • Battle of Resaca de la Palma

    Day 2 of Palo Alto, American victory due to better weaponry
  • Congress declares war on Mexico

  • United States occupies Matamoros

    Previous Mexican base
  • Santa Anna reaches out to United States

    Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was exiled in Cuba by Mexican Government. Santa Anna reached out to U.S in August 1846 promising to end the war in favor of the States.
    Spoiler: Santa Anna double-crosses Polk and takes charge of the Mexican Army to fight against the U.S.
  • Battle of Monterrey

    Mexican city just over Rio Grande. Significant because of the heavy casualties on both sides. American Victory, Taylor and his army take control.
  • Battle of Buena Vista

    Turning point in the war because it led to the Siege of Vera Cruz, and later, the takeover of Mexico City. Extreme American victory.
    Mexican army: 15,000 men
    American army: 5,000
  • Siege of Vera Cruz

    Led by General Winfield Scott. 10,000 men came ashore with no casualties. Largest amphibious landing in U.S. history until WWII. Significance: Led to the capture of Mexico City.
  • Santa Anna elected President of Mexico

    9th election into office, most terms short lived (usually about a month long). Elected even after defeat at Buena Vista.
  • Period: to

    Battle of Mexico City

    One division arrived by boat just outside Mexico City, another group came from the north at Chapultepec. Resulted in American occupation of Mexico City.
  • Battle of Chapultepec

    American Victory. Americans viewed it as the last obstacle before Mexico City
  • Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed

    Establishes the boundary between Mexico and U.S. as the Rio Grande. Gives U.S. 55% of Mexico, including modern-day California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, most of Arizona and Colorado, and parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Wyoming Took so long to sign because Mexico kept refusing to sign.
  • Zachary Taylor elected 12th President

    Like George Washington, Taylor was elected president because of his victories in the Mexican/American War.