The MexicanAmerican War, also known as the Mexican War, the U.S.

Mexican War or the

Invasion of Mexico, was an armed conflict between the United States of America and the United
Mexican States from 1846 to 1848. It followed in the wake of the 1845 US annexation of Texas,
which Mexico considered part of its territory, despite the 1836 Texas Revolution.
After its independence in 1821 and brief experiment with monarchy, Mexico became a republic
in 1824. It was characterized by considerable instability, so that when war broke out in 1846,
Mexico was ill-prepared for conflict.[7] The war with the United States followed in the wake of
decades of Native American raids in the sparsely settled north of Mexico, which prompted the
Mexican government to sponsor migration from the US to the Mexican province of Texas to act
as a buffer. Texans from both countries revolted against the Mexican government in the 1836
Texas Revolution, creating a republic not recognized by Mexico, which still claimed it as its
national territory. The 1845 expansion of US territory with its annexation of Texas escalated the
dispute between the United States and Mexico to open war.
In 1844 James K. Polk, the newly-elected president, made a proposition to the Mexican
government to purchase the disputed lands between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande. When
that offer was rejected, troops from the United States commanded by Major General Zachary
Taylor were moved into the disputed territory of Coahuila. These troops were then attacked by
Mexican troops, killing 12 US troops and taking 52 prisoners. These same Mexican troops later
laid siege to a US fort along the Rio Grande.[8] This would lead to the conflict that resulted in the
loss of much of Mexico's northern territory.
US forces quickly occupied Santa Fe de Nuevo Mxico and Alta California Territory, and then
invaded parts of Central Mexico (modern-day Northeastern Mexico and Northwest Mexico);
meanwhile, the Pacific Squadron conducted a blockade, and took control of several garrisons on
the Pacific coast farther south in Baja California Territory. Another US army, under the
command of Major General Winfield Scott, captured the capital Mexico City, marching from the
port of Veracruz.
The 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended and specified the major consequence of the war:
the Mexican Cession of the territories of Alta California and Santa Fe de Nuevo Mxico to the
United States. The US agreed to pay $15 million compensation for the physical damage of war.
In addition, the United States assumed $3.25 million of debt owed by the Mexican government
to US citizens. Mexico acknowledged the loss of Texas and thereafter cited the Rio Grande as its
national border with the United States.