Mexican-American War 1846-1848

"On March 24, 1846, an American army commanded by General Zachary Taylor encamped along the northern banks of the Rio Grande, directly across the river from Mexican soldiers. Within a month, hostilities commenced: a large body of Mexican cavalrymen attacked a patrol of dragoons on April 23. Declaring that "American blood had been shed on American soil", President Polk addressed Congress, who declared war on May 13, 1846.
The Mexican-American War was born from the nation's quest for new territory and it's ambition to stretch coast to coast. Questions about Texan independence, disputed territory along the Rio Grande, and revolts in California also contributed to the conflict. The war essentially consisted of three different campaigns. Soldiers once stationed at Fort Scott played a role in each of these campaigns. To prevent a costly land war and an overland march by Taylor, his campaign was halted after Buena Vista. Much of his command was transferred to General Winfield Scott- for whom the fort was named. The infantry units that had once been stationed at Fort Scott now joined Winfield Scott's army as he conducted an amphibious assault against Veracruz. After seizing Veracruz in March of 1847, Winfield Scott began his march inland toward Mexico City. By August, the army had reached the outskirts of Mexico City. After a series of costly victories, one of which claimed the life of Colonel William Graham-the fort's second commander, Mexico City was invaded on September 13, 1847. The capture of Mexico City clinched the outcome of war. The peace treaty, which was ratified on May 30, 1848, turned the entire Southwest over to the United States. The question of Texas was settled, and land comprising the present states of Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona and New Mexico became U.S. territory. The Mexican War combined with the overland trail migrations and the gold rush of 1849 bought about the fulfillment of "Manifest Destiny". Expansion brought about an end to the notion of a Permanent Indian Frontier and the abandonment of Fort Scott in 1853. The 1840s was an important era because it defined the direction the United States would take as a nation. Events in the 1840s would have far reaching effects. Settlers in California and Oregon would prove to be key players in the establishment of a transcontinental railroad. The debate over slavery in the territories acquired from Mexico would prove to be a catalyst that led to the Civil War." (http://www.nps.gov/archive/fosc/mexican.htm)

The president James K. Polk, among his campaign promises, vowed to bring Oregon and California under American control. Given a mandate by a slim margin of the electorate, Polk eventually accomplished this feat. But by no means does this mean that Polk bears the heaviest burden of responsibility in causing the war with Mexico due to his extreme expansionist views. In reality, the unrelenting movement of Americans into western North America and the concept of a Manifest Destiny are responsible for the Mexican-American War. The attack that many patriots were so fond of using as justification for the war was simply an attempt by Mexico to defend land that it believed belonged to Mexico. Of course, Mexico could have responded in a more peaceful manner to the idea of Texas annexation. And Mexico could have responded better to American desires to purchase California and other areas of the Southwest. If only it could be as easy as the Louisiana Purchase had been, Polk must have thought. Another suspected cause of the war is the desire of the southern states to gain more slave states, thereby increasing their political power. Many probable causes of the Mexican-American War have been posed throughout our nation's history. The two causes that make the most sense, however, are the constant westward movement of Americans and the concept of Manifest Destiny.