Mexican-American War

Definition

The Mexican-American War was a conflict between the United States and Mexico that lasted from 1846 to 1848, primarily over territorial disputes following the U.S. annexation of Texas. This war led to significant territorial gains for the U.S. and set the stage for future relations between the two nations, especially impacting Mexican Americans in the newly acquired territories.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The war was sparked by disputes over Texas, which had declared independence from Mexico in 1836 and was annexed by the U.S. in 1845.
2. The U.S. victory resulted in the acquisition of over 500,000 square miles of territory from Mexico.
3. The conflict raised questions about slavery's expansion into new territories, leading to tensions that contributed to the Civil War.
4. The war was marked by significant battles such as those at Palo Alto, Buena Vista, and Mexico City.
5. Many Mexican Americans lost their land due to unclear property rights established after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Review Questions

• How did the ideology of Manifest Destiny influence U.S. actions during the Mexican-American War?
  • Manifest Destiny was a driving force behind U.S. expansionism and played a crucial role in justifying the Mexican-American War. Many Americans believed that it was their divine right to expand westward across North America. This ideology fueled support for the war and led to the annexation of Texas, which was a significant factor in escalating tensions with Mexico.
• Discuss the major outcomes of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and its significance for both Mexico and the United States.
  • The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo marked the end of the Mexican-American War and resulted in Mexico ceding a vast amount of territory to the United States, including California and New Mexico. For Mexico, this loss was a significant blow to its territory and national pride. For the United States, it fulfilled its expansionist ambitions but also ignited fierce debates over slavery in these new territories, setting the stage for future conflicts.
• Evaluate how the aftermath of the Mexican-American War affected land rights for Mexican Americans in the newly acquired territories.
  • In the aftermath of the Mexican-American War, many Mexican Americans found themselves in precarious positions regarding their land rights. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo promised to protect their property rights; however, in practice, many faced legal battles and discrimination that undermined these rights. As U.S. laws and regulations took precedence, numerous land grants were challenged or ignored, leading to significant loss of land among Mexican American families and altering their social and economic status in American society.

Related terms

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo:

The treaty that ended the Mexican-American War, in which Mexico ceded a large portion of its territory to the United States, including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming.

Manifest Destiny:

The belief that it was the divine right of the U.S. to expand its territory across North America, which justified the annexation of Texas and led to the Mexican-American War.

Land Grants:

Legal documents that granted land to individuals or families, which became contentious after the war as many Mexican landowners faced challenges to their land rights in the newly annexed territories.