What Happened in the Mexican-American War?

What was the Mexican-American War and what were the main causes of the conflict?

The Mexican-American War, also known as the Mexican War, was a war between the United States and Mexico that took place from April 1846 to February 1848. The main cause of the conflict was the annexation of Texas by the United States in 1845. There was a dispute over the boundary of Texas, with Mexico claiming it ended at the Nueces River and the United States claiming it ended at the Rio Grande. This disagreement led to military conflict between the two nations.

Background of the Mexican-American War

The Mexican-American War began in 1846 as a result of tensions between the United States and Mexico over the annexation of Texas. The annexation had been a contentious issue, with Mexico refusing to recognize Texas as an independent republic following its declaration of independence from Mexico in 1836. After Texas was annexed by the United States, the boundary disagreement escalated into a full-blown war.

Course of the War

During the Mexican-American War, U.S. forces were consistently victorious over Mexican forces in a series of battles. The United States employed superior military tactics and firepower, including the use of artillery and naval forces. The war reached its climax with the capture of Mexico City by U.S. forces in September 1847, leading to the eventual surrender of Mexico.

Consequences of the Mexican-American War

As a result of the Mexican-American War, the United States acquired more than 500,000 square miles of Mexican territory. This vast expanse of land extended westward from the Rio Grande to the Pacific Ocean and included present-day states such as California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. The war significantly altered the geography of North America and solidified the United States as a dominant power in the region.