Mexican–American War

Sides

What happened

The United States annexed Texas in 1845. Mexico had never recognised Texan independence, and the two countries disputed the border: the United States claimed the Rio Grande, Mexico the Nueces River farther north. After Mexico turned down President James K. Polk's offer to buy the disputed strip, New Mexico and California, Polk sent Zachary Taylor's army to the Rio Grande. In April 1846 Mexican cavalry attacked a US patrol in the disputed land, and the US Congress declared war on 13 May. US forces took New Mexico and California; in the north Taylor's army took Monterrey and held its ground at Buena Vista. In March 1847 Winfield Scott landed at Veracruz, marched inland and took Mexico City in September after the battle of Chapultepec. In the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on 2 February 1848, Mexico ceded about half of its territory to the United States.

Outcome: In the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (2 February 1848) Mexico ceded about 55 per cent of its territory to the United States, which paid 15 million dollars and took on up to 3.25 million dollars of Mexico's debts to US citizens.

Key events

Leaders

• James K. Polk · President of the United States · United States
• Zachary Taylor · Commanded the army in northern Mexico · United States
• Winfield Scott · Led the campaign from Veracruz to Mexico City · United States
• Stephen W. Kearny · Led the army that took New Mexico · United States
• Antonio López de Santa Anna · President and commander of the Mexican army from late 1846 · Mexico
• Mariano Arista · Commanded at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma · Mexico
• Pedro de Ampudia · Commanded at Monterrey · Mexico

Deaths

Meanwhile, elsewhere in 1846 CE