Transcript
Mexican-American War
Event
Date
Location
Significance
Mexico snubs Slidell
November 1845
Mexico City
Pres. Polk instructs John Slidell to offer up to $25 million for New Mexico and California. Insulted Mexicans refuse to see Slidell.
Polk orders troops to southern Texas
January 1846
Rio Grande River
Zachary Taylor and 4000 men are sent to disputed territory, expecting attack. Conflict with Mexican troops results in 16 American casualties.
Congress declares war on Mexico
May 1846
Washington, D.C.
Polk asks for war with Mexico. Northern Whigs fear victory would add more slave states to U.S. Declaration passes 40-2 in Senate, 174-14 in House. Whig Congressman Lincoln asks for the spot on American soil where American blood was shed.
Bear Flag Republic established
June 1846
Northern California
John C. Fremont and volunteers capture town of Sonoma and hoist Bear Flag.
Americans capture Monterey
July 1846
Monterey, California
250 sailors capture Mexico's California capital without a shot.
Kearny takes Santa Fe
August 1846
New Mexico
Marching from Kansas to California, Stephen Kearny's 1700 men take key Mexican trading post.
Battle of San Pascual
December 1846
San Diego, California
In fierce fighting, Kearny's forces barely survive attack of Mexican lancers.
Battle of San Gabriel
January 1847
San Gabriel, California
Californio forces retreat as American forces cross San Gabriel River and take Los Angeles
Battle of Buena Vista
February 1847
Central Mexico
With a much larger army (20,000 to Taylor's 5,000), Santa Anna is unable to defeat Taylor's American forces.
Veracruz
March 1847
East coast of Mexico
Winfield Scott and 14,000 men capture port and begin following Cortez's route to Mexico City
Mexico City
September 1847
Central Mexico
U.S. captures city. Santa Anna loses 4,000 of his 25,000-man army, while Scott loses 900 of his 10,000.
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
February 2, 1848
Central Mexico
Mexico gives up all claim to Texas. U.S. pays Mexico $15 million and agrees to assume American citizens' claims ($3,250,000) against Mexico. Expansionists call for "All Mexico." Senate passes treaty 38-14.
Results of Mexican-American War:
13,000 Americans killed in battle or dead from disease.
Northern Mexico and Texas added to United States (virtually half of Mexico's territory).
In Congress, the Wilmot Proviso was introduced beginning in 1846. It stated that slavery should not be allowed in any territory acquired from Mexico. While it never passed, the Wilmot Proviso provided a well-defined proposal that allowed the free-soil forces to attract thousands of followers.
