American-Mexican War of 1846-1848. The beginning of hostilities, commanders, disputed territories

The war of the USA and Mexico because of the controversial Texas led to the fact that the Americans annexed not only Texas, but all of their modern Southwest. The campaign was conducted on several fronts and was remembered by an unprecedented partisan movement.

The dispute around Texas

In the middle of the XIX century, the New World experienced one of the most important wars for this region. The bloodshed began because of a clash of interests between the US and Mexico. Countries could not share Texas. In 1836, this region broke away from Mexico and declared its independence (Mexico did not recognize independence and considered the newly emerged republic a rebellious territory temporarily seized by the separatists).

Texas meanwhile began to establish contacts with the United States. American-Mexican wars broke out because of Washington's desire to join the republic to itself. This political course was professed by the Democrats. In 1844, James Polk became their US president. In the American society itself, the perspective of the annexation of Texas was twofold. On the one hand, the inhabitants of the agricultural south wanted this, and on the other hand, the northern industrial states, which were in confrontation with the southern slave owners, also opposed it.

The inevitability of war

Contrary to all the contradictions, the disputed territories did enter the United States. This happened in 1845, when Texas became the 28th state under the bill. Mexico still considered the republic part of its territory, and therefore its authorities sharply condemned Washington's decision. Relations between the two countries deteriorated sharply. The situation was approaching the critical one.

France and Britain tried to intervene in the conflict. Two European powers recognized Texas as an independent republic and assessed its accession to the United States as a decision of a sovereign state. Guided by these considerations, in Paris and London urged Mexico not to declare war on the United States. However, their efforts proved fruitless.

The failure of diplomacy

The reason for the outbreak of war was the US-Mexico border. Because of the controversial status of Texas, countries could not agree on who owns what territory. Mexico regarded the border as Nuezes, and the United States as the Rio Grande. The dispute remained unresolved when, in the spring of 1845, US troops entered Texas. In the ocean appeared armed with the latest technology squadrons.

The US government was preparing for the forthcoming campaign in a regime of increased secrecy. The society did not suspect anything about the approaching bloodshed. For the type of negotiations were initiated on the purchase of the US Mexican lands. States offered different amounts in exchange for territories west of Texas. It was California ($ 25 million) and New Mexico ($ 5 million). In this case, the disputed land between Rio Grande and Nuezes passed to Texas for free. The offer was rejected.

Political situation in Mexico

On the eve of the war, Mexico entered a period of political instability. In 1846, the country was changed four times by the president, six times by the Minister of Defense, and sixteen by the Minister of Finance. Leapfrog took place in the conditions of growing anti-American sentiments. The public was extremely patriotic. Anyone who claimed power and advocated a peaceful settlement of the conflict with the US immediately became an outcast.

When a government consisting of nationalists was formed in Mexico, they went on to further aggravate relations with their northern neighbor. New politicians openly reported their claims to Texas. The American-Mexican wars were getting closer and more inevitable. In early 1846 in Washington received a message that opponents refused to meet with another special envoy.

Arista Mariano

On March 8, 1846, the American army crossed the Rubicon and entered the territory of Mexico. The decision to start the war was made in Washington on the eve. On the banks of the Rio Grande, the army began to build forts and build batteries. At the same time, the blockade of enemy ports was followed.

A full-fledged military conflict between the United States and Mexico began on April 23, when Mexico declared war on the States. The commander-in-chief at first was Arista Mariano. His military career he built in the Spanish army. After Mexico began an armed struggle for independence, the officer joined the revolutionaries. Mariano was a supporter of liberal ideas. When the US-Mexican wars ended, he began to build a career politician, and in 1851-1853. Was the president of Mexico.

Major-General Taylor

The United States responded to Mexico by declaring war on May 13. The American commander-in-chief was Zachary Taylor. He was born in Virginia and already proved himself well during the Anglo-American War. In addition, he conducted many raids in the Indian wilderness. First of all, he had to occupy northeastern Mexico, and if the enemy refused to capitulate, he should have threatened Mexico City.

Thanks to the victory over the southern neighbor Zachary Taylor, who had never held public office, the way to big politics was opened. In 1848 he was elected the 12th president of the United States. However, by that time his health had already been undermined by the numerous illnesses that accompanied the military man during his campaigns. Taylor died a year after taking office. As a result, his main achievement was not to be in the office of president, but to win over the Mexicans.

Return of Santa Anne

Shortly after the US-Mexico border was left behind, the US army seized the city of Matamoros, having previously fired him from artillery. The attackers possessed a technical, quantitative and qualitative advantage, as a result of which their victories were logical and natural. After Matamoros surrendered a few more cities: Seralvo, Camargo and Reynos.

The outbreak of hostilities has led to another change of power in Mexico. The government took over the liberals. They carried out several reforms and returned from the forced emigration of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anne. Becoming president, he led new negotiations with the Americans.

Storming Monterrey

Meanwhile, on September 20, 1846, Taylor's army siege the city of Monterrey. The walls did not succumb to artillery for several days. The besiegers gained an advantage only after a detachment of Texas rangers occupied several hills west of Monterrey. A convenient position allowed the Americans to undertake an assault on both sides, which was crowned with success.

On the fifth day, isolated Mexicans ran out of ammunition, and they capitulated. The attackers killed more than 500 people, besieged - 300. Taylor's army was exhausted. The heavy losses forced the military commander to release the Mexican defense forces, keeping them arms and banners. The storm cost Monterey a lot. A significant part of the city was destroyed and burnt. The history of Mexico is full of dramatic events, but it is this siege that the Mexicans consider the most important symbol of the war with the United States.

Continuation of the campaign

Following Monterrey, the Americans were surrendered to the capital of the state of Coahuila Saltillo. In November, the key Mexican port of Tampico was captured. All this time, Santa Anna continued to gather strength and was preparing for a decisive battle. His goal was the army of Taylor, standing near Saltillo. Much larger Mexican troops collided with the Americans on February 22-23, 1847, in the Battle of Bueno Vista. People of Santa Anna had to overcome the path of 300 kilometers along the arid desert. Soldiers suffered from a lack of provisions and water. There were massive desertions. By the beginning of the battle, the morale of the Mexican army left much to be desired.

The place of bloodshed was leading to Saltillo narrow mountain pass. On the first day, the Mexicans went around the enemy's army from the left flank, penetrated into the rear and defeated the wing commanded by Taylor. Some parts of the Americans retreated in the direction of Saltillo. The battle resumed on February 23. In the evening, Santa Anna unexpectedly stepped back. He explained his decision by the fact that there was a shortage of ammunition in the army. Mexicans lost about 1,500 dead, and Americans lost 700.

Coup in Mexico City

The situation in Mexico was getting worse. While Texas, California and other provinces continued to pass under the control of the United States, in the defeated after the defeat the country ran out of money. The government ordered to requisition part of the church property. His sale would help to continue the war. However, with such measures, the most diverse layers of the Mexican society did not agree.

An anti-government uprising began. Santa Anna hastened to leave the front and set off to clean up the capital. In Mexico, meanwhile, the government was overthrown. Santa Anna joined the rioters. After the fall of the old regime, he received dictatorial powers.

Disembarkation in Veracruz

While civil conflict broke out in Mexico, the American-Mexican wars continued as usual. At the last stage of the campaign, the US army engaged in the north ceased its triumphant offensive and proceeded to defend its positions. Moving to the enemy capital through the steppes and semi-deserts, where there was no water, the Americans did not dare. Instead, their landing party seized the port of Veracruz. From him was the shortest way to Mexico City.

Winfield Scott was elected commander in the new operation. Taylor did not suit the democratic party, because on the wave of his popularity he already began to claim the presidency after the next election. The landing of the 12-thousandth landing began on March 9, 1847. Many future heroes of the Civil War in the United States, including George Mead and Robert Lee, took part in the capture of Veracruz.

The new front

Veracruz capitulated on March 29. Americans got rid of only 80 killed, but in their army began the epidemic of yellow fever. Encouraged by circumstances Winfield Scott hurried. April 17, his army met with Mexican troops, which again commanded Santa Anna. The Americans seized the strategic height, installed howitzers on it and thereby won the battle.

April 22, the city of Perote fell, and on May 15 - Puebla. The offensive was hampered by the guerrilla war that unfolded around Veracruz. The insurgents attacked small detachments and convoys of interventionists. These groups plundered the carts, selected tools and provisions. Apart from the road Scott took, the Americans did not appear inside the country, controlling only the coast and strategically important ports.

The Last Defeat

All summer of 1847, representatives of the Mexican president tried to negotiate with the US government to end the war. The parties could not reach agreement on the conditions, and the process of discussion was constantly slowed down. Meanwhile, Scott's army stopped at Puebla, in order to gather strength before the last jerk. Mexico was already nearby. August 20, 1847 in the battle near the river Churubusko, the Americans broke the army of Manuel Rincon.

After winning another victory, Scott's army was only a few kilometers from the Mexican capital. On September 13, the Americans stormed the fortress of Chapulteque. Today, this place is considered the center of the megacity of Mexico City, numbering about 9 million inhabitants. In the battles for the capital, more than 2,700 US troops were killed, 383 of whom were officers.

Negotiations and conditions for peace

In October 1847, the army that occupied Mexico, already numbered 43 thousand people. The government was paralyzed, Santa Anna fled the country. And although organized resistance ceased, minor encounters between the interventionists and partisans continued.

The negotiation process lasted for several months. In the US, the victory turned the head of both the authorities and society. The demands of the Americans became more serious and insistent. Some hotheads even proposed annexing Mexico entirely. Against the background of these sentiments, the losing side had to make tremendous concessions and accept all official demands.

The peace treaty was signed on February 2, 1848 in Guadalupe-Hidalgo. In exchange for 15 million dollars, Mexico gave the US more than a million square kilometers of its territory. These were the lands of modern California, Texas, Nevada and Utah. Most of Arizona and New Mexico were ceded. The Rio Grande River was declared the state border. The victory in the war continued the US expansion to the west. The states got access to the Pacific Ocean.