Mexican American War Research Paper

The Mexican-American War was a significant event between United States of America and Mexico. It started on April 25, 1846 and it ended on February 2, 1848. Many different factors played into the war between the United States and Mexico. The mayor players in this war were; Santa Anna, James Polk, Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was once called “The enigma that was once Mexico,” (Eisenhower pg. 8) because Mexico at the time was confused and wasn’t sure what it was. He was the best leader that Mexico could produce at the time. Mexico had just won its independence from Spain in 1821 and went through many civil revolutions and left with confusion and poverty (Eisenhower pg. 8). Santa Anna had no formal military

He ran for presidency on the promise that he will expand his country to the pacific if possible. He gave hope to the people by agreeing with manifest destiny. As part of his agenda he wanted to get rid of the British in Oregon, take over the land of California and a large part of the west. (Eisenhower pg. 21). Another big player in the war was Zachary Taylor. He was the U.S. general at the time of the Mexican-American war who was later appointed to president in 1848. He won many battles against Mexico in what some may say impossible odds. He rode alongside his soldiers into battle and what later made him into a war hero. (DiConsiglio pg. 18). Both Mexico and the United States had recently won their independence. The United States were able to stabilize their country while Mexico had trouble keeping a government because of the differences in their opinion. Many factors contributed into the Mexican-American War, which included the Texas rebellion, President of James Polk and President Santa Anna, and the ideology of Manifest Destiny. The Mexican-American war was an unethical and an indecent

He fought to try and keep Texas from leaving Mexico. In the Battle of San Jacinto Santa Anna and his arm where beaten and Santa Anna was captured. Before he was released he had to sign the treaty of Velasco which recognized Texan independence. At that point Mexican authorities did not recognize him as the president. (Eisenhower pg. 14). Therefore, Mexico still thought that the land was part of them. They did not want to give it up just to be used for slavery, it was their land. One of the mistakes Santa Anna made was to continue the Texas border war upon his return to Presidency. To the people of the United States they were killing Americans. (Eisenhower pg. 15). But in reality they were just trying to protect their land. Mexico was playing the defense in this case. Santa Anna also had to fight of the French in Veracruz, but it was small and it only lasted for small amount of time. The war with the United States failed because the Mexican military had older equipment and they had less supplies while having to deal with a separated country having most of the population living in rural areas. On the other hand, United States had newer and better equipment along with many volunteers eager to fight and fulfil their manifest destiny. Santa Anna did not go to military school so many of his tactics did not work. This was also a fight that many Mexicans did not want to fight. At that