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The Mexican American War began on April 25, 1846. Mexico and America were fighting over where Texas ended. America said that Texas ended at the Rio Grande River but Mexico said it ended at the Nueces River. The Mexicans killed the troops of Zachary Taylor, who was a general for the U.S.
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On May 13, 1846 congress approved to President James K. Polk that there was going to be a declaration of war. Many democrats liked this plan but some Whigs didn’t. In December of 1846, Polk said that his doubters that were Whigs committed treason.
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In 1847, Polk sent Taylor and his army into the Rio Grande. In February, Taylor and his army fought a couple battles in the Rio Grande’s south. They defeated a Mexican force that was major and captured the great city of Monterrey.
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Since Taylor did not show any enthusiasm to have a major battle, Polk made General Winfield Scott take his troops to Veracruz by sea. In March Scott and his troops went and had a lot of victories. On September 14, 1847 they entered Mexico City.
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In 1847, about 10,00 troops died of illness. About 1,500 were killed in battle. Some diseases include measles, mumps, and yellow fever.
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In September of 1847, Scott laid siege to the Chapultepec castle of Mexico City successfully. As they entered the city some people surrendered. Some military cadets killed themselves though.
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In 1948, Guerilla attacks continued. The attacks were against United States Airlines. Finally Mexico surrendered.
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Nicholas Trist got assigned by Polk to go with Scott and sign a peace treaty with Mexico. Trist disobeyed Polk though, and had the peace treaty signed on February 2, 1848. This meant that the United States had won the war.
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Taylor became a national hero. In 1849, Polk ran against Taylor for president. Taylor then won against Polk.
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In 1849, Mexico was a stunned country. The war had discredited conservation the Mexicans had. It took a while for things to get back to normal.
