Mexican American War
In the year of 1844, President James K. Polk supported manifest destiny, the belief that it was America's right and duty to spread across the North American continent. The annex of Texas was an act of war. John Tyler, his predecessor, had been unsuccessful in adding new territories to the U.S. such as Texas, California and New Mexico. Initially, Polk tried to buy the territories for $30 million, but the Mexican government refused.
Afterwards, he sent American troops to Texas to provoke the Mexicans into war. Mexicans fired upon American troops on April 25, 1846 and Polk declared the U.S. at war with it's neighboring country. Stephen Kearny took control over Mexico without firing a single shot. Kearny joined forces with Fremont to have California under control in weeks. Mexico seemed to have the advantage when their troops outnumbered the American troops, but the United States were a stronger nation and soon overpowered the Mexicans. Winfield Scott's army attacked and captured the Mexican capital, Mexico City, in September 1847.
Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, handing over New Mexico, California and Texas for $15 million. Some Americans did not think America should have waged a war with Mexico. They thought Polk, a Southerner, wanted to gain land for his benefit. Others believed it was wrong to fight a weaker country to take away their land.
Afterwards, he sent American troops to Texas to provoke the Mexicans into war. Mexicans fired upon American troops on April 25, 1846 and Polk declared the U.S. at war with it's neighboring country. Stephen Kearny took control over Mexico without firing a single shot. Kearny joined forces with Fremont to have California under control in weeks. Mexico seemed to have the advantage when their troops outnumbered the American troops, but the United States were a stronger nation and soon overpowered the Mexicans. Winfield Scott's army attacked and captured the Mexican capital, Mexico City, in September 1847.
Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, handing over New Mexico, California and Texas for $15 million. Some Americans did not think America should have waged a war with Mexico. They thought Polk, a Southerner, wanted to gain land for his benefit. Others believed it was wrong to fight a weaker country to take away their land.