Mexican-American War Overview

The Mexican-American War: Presidential Manipulation and Strategy

• Ulysses S. Grant viewed the Mexican-American War as "wicked."
• President James K. Polk and his administration pursued an expansionist agenda.
• Polk manipulated events, using diplomats John Slidell and William Parrott.
• General Zachary Taylor's army was ordered to the Rio Grande, a disputed border area, escalating tensions.
• Polk's message to Congress framed the situation as Mexico initiating war.

Military Actions and Strategies

• Polk ordered naval forces to the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific to seize Mexican ports if war began.
• Taylor's army, including 4000 regulars, initially moved to Corpus Christi, Texas.
• Taylor, despite reservations about the annexation of Texas, followed Polk's orders to the Rio Grande
• Lt. Col. Ethan Allen Hitchcock criticized the U.S. presence in the disputed territory as unjustified.
• A blockade of Matamoros was implemented.
• Polk planned a two-pronged attack on Mexico.
• Taylor's successes included the use of Texas Rangers, described as "Los Diablos Tejanos."
• Matthew C. Perry and a naval blockade played a role in the war effort.
• General Winfield Scott and his strategic plan involved troops from Taylor's command.
• Scott favored limited warfare, marked by an amphibious landing and bombardment of Veracruz.
• Reports of atrocities during the war emerged.
• Scott's advance culminated in the capture of Mexico City.

Negotiations and Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

• Nicolas Trist was the U.S. peace commissioner.
• Trist's mission involved negotiating peace after the occupation of Mexico City.
• Despite Polk initially wanting all of Mexico, Trist secured the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
• Trist refused to be dismissed from his post.
• The treaty resulted in Mexico ceding California and New Mexico to the U.S.
• The Rio Grande was established as the border between the U.S. and Mexico.
• The U.S. paid $15 million to Mexico.
• The treaty included provisions addressing protection of Mexicans and restraint of Indian raids across the border