1. The Mexican War

2. Mexican War, 1846-1848 Texas wanted to be annexed. U.S. government wanted New Mexico and California. Mexico did not want to: – Recognize Texas independence or annexation, – Sell New Mexico and California

3. James K. Polk’s Platform, 1844 Annexation of Oregon Annexation of Texas Acquisition of New Mexico and California

4. United States, 1846

7. “American blood has been shed on American soil ! January: Polk orders occupation of disputed area. 30 April, 1846: Mexican forces cross the Rio Grande.

8. U.S. Army vs. Mexican Army U.S. Professional –Long-service soldiers (5 yrs) –Most junior officers: USMA Well-equipped Well-led Confident –Ethnocentric –Racist Mexico Some professional soldiers and some patriotic volunteers –Courageous, if well-led Political senior officers Poorly trained Poorly equipped Poorly led Little real sense of Mexican nationalism

9. Operational Overview 1846 April - May: Opns. along the Rio Grande Sept. 20-24, 1846: Battle of Monterey 1847 22-23, Feb Battle of Buena Vista Doniphan Expedition: Feb. 28, 1847: Battle of the Sacramento, Northern Mexico. 18 Aug: Santa Fe occupied 25 Sep: Kearny leaves for CA 6 Dec: Battle of San Pasqual, Jan. 9, 1847: Battle of La Mesa (Los Angeles), Southern California. Dec. 1846 - Feb. 1847: Rebellion in New Mexico Texas-Mexico BorderNew Mexico and California

10. Operational Overview 9-29 Mar: Siege of Vera Cruz 18 Apr: Battle of Cerro Gordo 19-20 Aug: Battles of Contreras and Churubusco 8 Sep: Battle of El Molino del Rey 13 Sep: Battle of Chapultepec 13-15 Sep: Battles for Mexico City [ Sep. 14-Oct. 12: Siege of Puebla ] 1847 - Mexico City Campaign

12. Battle of Palo Alto

20. The Approach to Monterrey

21. After Monterrey... Texas physically secured. New Mexico occupied. California secured by January Now what ?

22. Political considerations... Scott is a Whig with political aspirations. Taylor has no party affiliation; Assumption: Whig The winning general will be the next President. Polk wants a general who’s a Democrat. Choice: Thomas Hart Benton, Senator from MO

23. The strategic decision... An army will have to go into central Mexico. Scott will head that army. The army will land at Vera Cruz.

24. The Operational Plan

27. Scott’s problem... Has to take Vera Cruz quickly. Summer brings the “vomito” Yellow Fever Vera Cruz falls in 20 days. On to Mexico City !

28. Cerro Gordo

36. “The Halls of Montezuma”

37. Scott’s occupation policies... Paid for supplies. Enforced the law - against his soldiers. Recognized the Church. Eventually made peace with Nicholas Trist. Trist eventually made peace. Much of Scott’s glory lost in his squabble with Gideon Pillow.

38. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 2 Feb. 1848: Signed 10 March: U.S. Senate ratifies 25 May: Mexican government ratifies Texas annexation recognized wit Rio Grande as the border. New Mexico and California ceded for $15 million plus unpaid claims

39. The Cost United States 1,177 KIA 3,669 WIA 11,155 Died of disease 16,001 Mexico 12,866 KIA 1,360 WIA ? Died of disease ?? Estimated cost to U.S.: $97,500,000

40. Results... U.S. consolidates it continental position. Question: Slaves in the territories ? Mexico’s future linked to the U.S. A mark on the Mexican soul. Greater Mexican nationalism.

41. The objective was achieved at the least cost and in the most humane way possible. The means and the ends matched perfectly

42. A war of conquest... Poses an interesting moral question. Was this a “just war” ? Do you want to give the territory back ?

43. Legacy for the Army... Mexico teaches a generation of officers how to fight: – Fire a volley and then charge. – Well-led soldiers can take any position. Revolutionary War tactics and technology. Success would blind many to the technological innovations of the 1850’s.