What started the Mexican American war?

Answer 1

The Mexican war (1846-48) was the first successful international war in pursuit of the United States' belief in its 'manifest destiny' to claim central North America. Presidents John Tyler and James Polk provoked a border dispute with Mexico in order to seize California as well as the New Mexico territory (almost all of today's southwestern US states).

Mexico had not accepted the independence of Texas, much less its claim to the strip between the Nueces river and the Rio Grande (part of the unratified 1836 Treaty of Valasco with General Santa Ana). Following the American annexation of Texas in early 1845, a US "army of observation" under General (later president) Zachary Taylor moved from Louisiana to the Nueces strip. A skirmish with a US patrol on April 25, 1846 led to open hostilities and the siege of Fort Texas on May 3.

On May 8, a force of 3700 Mexicans attacked the 2300 troops under Taylor when they arrived at the fort. The Mexican forces were repulsed at Palo Alto, and defeated at Resaca de la Palma the following day. Routed, they retreated back across the Rio Grande. On May 13, 1846, the US declared war on Mexico.

Answer 2

American presidents John Tyler (term 1841-1845) and James K. Polk (term 1845-1849) wished to add the Pacific coast and California to the US, and sought to acquire it by any means necessary. The annexation of Texas as a state in 1846 led almost immediately to border conflicts that escalated into war.

The background of the war :

When Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821, the territories it possessed included Mexico, most of Central America (Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama) as well as today's US States of California, Nevada, Utah, Texas and parts of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming.

Due to the extremely low population for such territorial extension (estimated at only 12 million residents in 1824), Mexico relaxed its immigration policies and allowed American settlers to help populate the northern territories. The conditions to settle were simple: 1) to pledge allegiance to Mexico and 2) observe the Mexican Law and customs. In 1830, these laws incorporated the banning of slavery. Due to the fact that many American settlers in such territories were slave owners, they looked for any pretext to secede from Mexico.

Later, Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna took measures to transform Mexico from a Federal Republic to a Centralist Republic. This move prompted Yucatan and Texas to secede from Mexico. Santa Anna's government invaded both republics; while Yucatan was regained, Texas was lost. Mexico looked at Texas as a rebellious province to be reincorporated at a later time, preferably by diplomatic means, but by force if necessary.

American President John Tyler found out about California and its riches. In a letter, the American Plenipotentiary Minister in Mexico, Waddy Thompson, Jr. said:

"As to Texas I regard it as of very little value compared with California, the richest, the most beautiful and the healthiest country in the world... with the acquisition of Upper California we should have the same ascendency on the Pacific... France and England both have had their eyes upon it."

Tyler then desperately looked to fulfill the Manifest Destiny, a term which called for the annexation of all of North America into the United States. He didn't believe in Texas but needed a way to annex all the other territories west of the Louisiana, California being the "Crown Jewel". He pushed for annexation of Texas, offering its admission to the Union in March 1, 1845. President James K. Polk then ratified by law such admission, on December 29 of that year.

These actions had the potential to lead to war with Mexico, and ultimately did. Mexico had warned the US that the annexation of Texas by the US would be seen as an act of war. Mexico did not declare war when the US annexed Texas but did break off diplomatic relations, an action which is often deemed to be a preliminary step by civilized nations prior to open conflict. President Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to enter Texas and prepare to defend Texas against invasion at the Rio Grande

The US declared War based on a 25 April clash between US and Mexican forces in the Neuces Strip in what became known as the Thornton Affair. Blood was shed and men had died, Congress had causus belli to declare war although that conflict happened in what had long been considered a kind of no man's land between Mexico and Texas.

Answer 3

Texas revolted from Mexico and declared their independence. Mexico did not give up their claim to Texas and broke off diplomatic relations with the US when Texas became a US state in 1845. There was a dispute over where the border of Texas was and the US sent an army into Texas to defend the US version of the border and so entered territory the Mexicans said was part of Mexico. President Polk sent a diplomatic mission to Mexico with a cash offer . The Mexican president was deposed , the new regime refused to talk and the American envoys were expelled. Soon after, a large Mexican cavalry attacked a small American patrol in the disputed area killing 16 Americans . That prompted President Polk to ask Congress to declare war.

Answer 4

Polk ordered Zachary Taylor to station troops on disputed land.

Answer 5

The Americans and President Polk provoked the Mexicans to fight by invading their territory in the 1840's.

Answer 6

The mexican-american war started because of the Mexicans attacking Americans on their land too (the Americans.

Answer 7

The Thornton Affair which was a clash betwee 70 US Dragoons and 2,000 Mexican Infantrymen.

Answer 8

The US annexation of Texas.