Mexican American War 1846-1848

Mexican American War Timeline

Cause and Effect of Texas Independence

          This timeline is a road map of a one way street. There are no off ramps, but numerous temporary stops that begin “deep in the heart of Texas” and end in the deep blue Pacific. The fuel for this trip was the belief that providence had designed the fate of the American nation called “Manifest Destiny”. This political philosophy preached that the United States had the God given right to expand America's borders from sea to sea.

After your review of this timeline, we call your attention to the additional links located below this table detailing the decisive elements of this war.

Date
Cause
Effect
Leaders
1821 Mexico revolts against Spanish rule Mexican independence; gained south western territories from Texas to California
1822-1824 Mexico encourages Americans to settle Texas and particularly areas subject to Comanche Indian attacks to provide a defense for Mexican settlers. Americans, attracted by cheap land, many with their slaves, settled large areas of Texas. Immigrants were required to swear oath of allegiance to Mexico and to follow the State religion. The latter requirement was more honored in the breach. Stephen F. Austin establishes a colonial judicial system.
1827 United States offers to purchase Texas for $1,000,000 Mexico rejects President John Quincy Adams
1829 United States offers to purchase Texas for$5,000,000 Mexico rejects President Andrew Jackson
1830 Mexico outlaws slavery in Texas Settlers adjust by converting slaves into indentured servants Mexican President Anastasio Bustamante
1830 Mexico halts American immigration Mexico unhappy with American actions Mexican President Anastasio Bustamante
1832 Battle of Velasco Mexicans and Americans engage in combat. Settlers sign Texas Declaration of Independence. Political seeds planted for Mexican American war.
1836 General Santa Ana led a force of 1500 Mexicans in a 13 day siege of a compound known as the Alamo. They ultimately overwhelmed the American garrison in a “no quarter” battle. Two defenders survived out of a force of approximately 175 Texians as the Americans were known. Their loss became a battle cry for the future and a door leading to ultimate annexation by the United States.
Battle of San Jacinto Mexican general captured and agrees to Texas sovereignty ultimately rejected by Mexico. Texas recognized by France, Britain and United States. General Santa Anna
1845 United States attempts to annex Texas U.S. senate rejects over slavery issue President John Tyler
1845 U.S. Presidential election New expansion policy and reinstatement of Monroe Doctrine. The last nail sealing the Mexican American war. President James K. Polk
1845 Annexation of Texas by Joint Vote of U.S. Congress Resolution fails to include Rio Grande River as southern boundary of Texas

Mexican American War

Date
Cause
Effect
Leaders
1846 Several battles over a period of three months including occupation of a new American fort on the Rio Grande with the intent to establish the international boundary between Mexico and the United States. Declaration of War enacted by congress President James K. Polk General Zachary Taylor
1846 Private topographical survey conducted by U.S. team near Monterey, California.Proponents of a free California. Ousted by Mexican authorities John C. Fremont future presidential candidate 1856
1846 Texas declared 28th state of the Union Congressional action
1847 Last Mexican fort in California surrenders to U.S. forces Mexico surrenders California to the United States
1847 U.S. forces victorious in battle of Vera Cruz and then enters Mexico City Effectively ended Mexican resistance General Winfield Scott and Santa Anna
1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Mexico ceded California, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada to U.S.


Every American war was defined and illuminated by thousands of moving parts. In a sense, a war machine is like a huge wheel designed to advance a strategy, a goal, but inherently capable of sudden stops and reversals. You may examine the wheel and its component spokes (links) that propelled the American war machine, all trans-formative, and the human hands that created the turns and pivots that marked this war and our times.

Texas Independence

Mexican American Culture Differences

Mexican American Religion

Mexican American History




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