The Mexican American war

[curupira]

What is your opinion about it? Do you have some other information to share?



I've read about it on Robert Scheina's Latin American Wars. It began ironically with American settlers in Texas. Then they proclaimed their independence and a conflict went on, Texas winning its independence. Then the Texans joined the US and the conflict continued, this time the American forces occupied California, Monterrey, and from Veracuz, Mexico City. Long distances were covered by both armies, often in inhospitable desert like conditions. The US had 21 million as opposed to 8 million Mexicans. It was politically more stable and it had an industrial/manufacturing edge. Even then, at that time, these advantages were not clear, and it seems many thought Mexico would have won. The US also had a powerful Navy, which blockaded Mexico, and operated both in the Atlantic and in the Pacific.

Ironically again, what began with Americans settling in then Mexican lands has reversed back. Texas, California and New Mexico are becoming ethnically Mexican again:



A map showing the military operations:

[curupira]

George Friedman, of Stratfor, describing the settling of Texas, the independence of Texas and the later Mexican American war as being part of the same process:

The defense of New Orleans became a central interest of the United States. During the War of 1812, when the British destroyed Washington, they also attacked New Orleans. Future President Andrew Jackson defeated the British there and kept control of New Orleans and the Midwest. Jackson remained properly obsessed with New Orleans. It was the key to American power and prosperity. It was also still in danger.

The US-Mexican border was only about 200 miles away from New Orleans. In order to defend it, the Mexicans had to be pushed back. This was not a trivial fear. The United States had a small standing army, spread through a large territory. The Mexicans had a larger army, and if they massed a force, they might be able to take New Orleans and strangle the United States.

In the classic paradox of American strategy, the desire to defend New Orleans triggered an attack on Mexico in two parts.

First, Jackson asked Sam Houston to organize American settlers in the northeastern section of Mexico and foment an uprising designed to, at the very least, block Mexican access to the region… and at best, create an independent country, the Republic of Texas. This was accomplished in 1836 when Sam Houston defeated Mexican forces under Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, near today’s Houston.

The second stage took place in 1846 when the United States, now more militarily capable, conducted a broad assault on Mexico, including amphibious operations that led to the capture of Mexico City.

The Mexican-American War achieved three things from the American point of view. First, it crippled Mexican military capabilities for over a century. Second, it created a barrier between Mexico and the United States. After the war, there was a string of deserts and mountains south of the new border that made any possible counter-move by Mexico difficult. Finally, the US took control of all of northwestern Mexican territory, which included present-day California. This made it possible to secure the Louisiana Territory against any potential threat from the west and anchor the United States on the Pacific. It created the framework for the contemporary continental United States.

http://www.mauldineconomics.com/this...-united-states

[curupira]

This documentary is about the Anglo settlement in Texas. It began with 300 Anglo American settlers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Three_Hundred ).

It was out of this immigration that Texas went on to become an independent state and later to join the US.

[Armenian Bishop]

A number of generals, in the American Civil War, were also veterans of the Mexican American War. Ulysses S. Grant, and Robert E. Lee, for example: They briefly talked about their days in Mexico, when the Army of Northern Virginia surrendered, at Appomattox Courthouse (in 1865).

[TheForeigner]

This war was inevitable, since Americans and also Britain and France had their eyes on California. Americans had their Manifest Destiny doctrine, which justified their expansion in North America, from sea to shining sea. Mexico had no chance in keeping those lands, since they were only thinly peopled and they were rich lands and the Californian harbours were of economic and geostrategic value.

[Armenian Bishop]

By chance, I once found a cafe table nearby two wives of building contractors; they spoke about Hispanic Workers in their husband's companies. They enthusiastically spoke about upgrading the immigration status for families of their Hispanic employees, whom had shown great success in the companies. Their companies were making arrangements, for the government to give approval for families to immigrate from Mexico, reunite with their employees, and settle down with them.

[Potentia]

My opinion?

Eh.

I have ancestors that fought on both sides.

I consider myself a Californian. That's it.

[curupira]

Are there are any famous Mexican songs on that war? It seems the song "Remember the Alamo" is quite popular in the US:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remember_the_Alamo_(song)