The Mexican-American War: a Short History

The Mexican-American War: a Short History

Author: Doug West

Publisher: Independently Published

Published: 2020-01-19

Total Pages: 80

ISBN-13: 9781661797744

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When Texas was annexed by the United States in 1845 Mexico's foreign minister in Washington, D.C. angrily left the country and returned to Mexico. Mexico had warned the United States that if Texas became a U.S. state it would be cause for war. By April of the next year a shooting skirmish had broken out along the contested border between Mexico and the state of Texas. General Zachary Taylor, who was in charge of the U.S. forces along the border alerted President James K. Polk with the message "Hostilities may now be considered as commenced." President Polk wasted no time, alerting Congress in protest that the Mexican soldiers had "...shed American blood upon American soil." With this news, Congress quickly brought the United States to a war footing. Both nations were ill prepared for war. Mexico with a much larger army seemingly had the advantage, however, the Americans were better trained, had state-of-the-art artillery, and possessed a navy that could move troops quickly as well as shell a coastal city into submission.For nearly two years the Americans pushed deeper into Mexico, winning every major battle. Mexico finally admitted defeat when General Winfield Scott marched his men across Mexico to capture Mexico City. General Scott, or "old fuss and feathers" as he was known, was a master tactician and with a much smaller army was able to defeat the Mexican soldiers led by General Santa Anna. It was not until February 1848 when the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed that the war came to an official end. The Americans gained much from the treaty, including the modern-day states of California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. For this vast territory the U.S. compensated Mexico with a little over $18 million. Though this war is seldom mentioned today, the Mexican-American War had a profound and lasting impact on both nations. The book "The Mexican-American War: A Short History" gives a concise look at the factors leading up to the war, the details of the battles, and reveals the impact the war had on both countries. To illustrate the story there are over a dozen pictures of the people, places, and events that were part of the war. In addition, a list of reference books for further reading is included. A timeline of the war puts the events in sequence and there is a section that contains short biographical sketches of the key individuals in the book. 30-Minute Book SeriesThis is the 41st book in the 30-Minute Book Series. Books in this series are fast-paced, accurate, and cover the story in as much detail as a short book possibly can. Most people complete each book in less than an hour, which makes the books in the series a perfect companion for your lunch hour or a little down time. About the AuthorDoug West is a retired engineer and an experienced non-fiction writer with several books to his credit. His writing interests are general, with special expertise in history, science, and biographies. Doug has a Ph.D. in General Engineering from Oklahoma State University.


Book Synopsis The Mexican-American War: a Short History by : Doug West

Download or read book The Mexican-American War: a Short History written by Doug West and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2020-01-19 with total page 80 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When Texas was annexed by the United States in 1845 Mexico's foreign minister in Washington, D.C. angrily left the country and returned to Mexico. Mexico had warned the United States that if Texas became a U.S. state it would be cause for war. By April of the next year a shooting skirmish had broken out along the contested border between Mexico and the state of Texas. General Zachary Taylor, who was in charge of the U.S. forces along the border alerted President James K. Polk with the message "Hostilities may now be considered as commenced." President Polk wasted no time, alerting Congress in protest that the Mexican soldiers had "...shed American blood upon American soil." With this news, Congress quickly brought the United States to a war footing. Both nations were ill prepared for war. Mexico with a much larger army seemingly had the advantage, however, the Americans were better trained, had state-of-the-art artillery, and possessed a navy that could move troops quickly as well as shell a coastal city into submission.For nearly two years the Americans pushed deeper into Mexico, winning every major battle. Mexico finally admitted defeat when General Winfield Scott marched his men across Mexico to capture Mexico City. General Scott, or "old fuss and feathers" as he was known, was a master tactician and with a much smaller army was able to defeat the Mexican soldiers led by General Santa Anna. It was not until February 1848 when the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed that the war came to an official end. The Americans gained much from the treaty, including the modern-day states of California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. For this vast territory the U.S. compensated Mexico with a little over $18 million. Though this war is seldom mentioned today, the Mexican-American War had a profound and lasting impact on both nations. The book "The Mexican-American War: A Short History" gives a concise look at the factors leading up to the war, the details of the battles, and reveals the impact the war had on both countries. To illustrate the story there are over a dozen pictures of the people, places, and events that were part of the war. In addition, a list of reference books for further reading is included. A timeline of the war puts the events in sequence and there is a section that contains short biographical sketches of the key individuals in the book. 30-Minute Book SeriesThis is the 41st book in the 30-Minute Book Series. Books in this series are fast-paced, accurate, and cover the story in as much detail as a short book possibly can. Most people complete each book in less than an hour, which makes the books in the series a perfect companion for your lunch hour or a little down time. About the AuthorDoug West is a retired engineer and an experienced non-fiction writer with several books to his credit. His writing interests are general, with special expertise in history, science, and biographies. Doug has a Ph.D. in General Engineering from Oklahoma State University.


The Dead March

The Dead March

Author: Peter Guardino

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Published: 2017-08-28

Total Pages: 513

ISBN-13: 0674981847

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Winner of the Bolton-Johnson Prize Winner of the Utley Prize Winner of the Distinguished Book Award, Society for Military History “The Dead March incorporates the work of Mexican historians...in a story that involves far more than military strategy, diplomatic maneuvering, and American political intrigue...Studded with arresting insights and convincing observations.” —James Oakes, New York Review of Books “Superb...A remarkable achievement, by far the best general account of the war now available. It is critical, insightful, and rooted in a wealth of archival sources; it brings far more of the Mexican experience than any other work...and it clearly demonstrates the social and cultural dynamics that shaped Mexican and American politics and military force.” —Journal of American History It has long been held that the United States emerged victorious from the Mexican–American War because its democratic system was more stable and its citizens more loyal. But this award-winning history shows that Americans dramatically underestimated the strength of Mexican patriotism and failed to see how bitterly Mexicans resented their claims to national and racial superiority. Their fierce resistance surprised US leaders, who had expected a quick victory with few casualties. By focusing on how ordinary soldiers and civilians in both countries understood and experienced the conflict, The Dead March offers a clearer picture of the brief, bloody war that redrew the map of North America.


Book Synopsis The Dead March by : Peter Guardino

Download or read book The Dead March written by Peter Guardino and published by Harvard University Press. This book was released on 2017-08-28 with total page 513 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Winner of the Bolton-Johnson Prize Winner of the Utley Prize Winner of the Distinguished Book Award, Society for Military History “The Dead March incorporates the work of Mexican historians...in a story that involves far more than military strategy, diplomatic maneuvering, and American political intrigue...Studded with arresting insights and convincing observations.” —James Oakes, New York Review of Books “Superb...A remarkable achievement, by far the best general account of the war now available. It is critical, insightful, and rooted in a wealth of archival sources; it brings far more of the Mexican experience than any other work...and it clearly demonstrates the social and cultural dynamics that shaped Mexican and American politics and military force.” —Journal of American History It has long been held that the United States emerged victorious from the Mexican–American War because its democratic system was more stable and its citizens more loyal. But this award-winning history shows that Americans dramatically underestimated the strength of Mexican patriotism and failed to see how bitterly Mexicans resented their claims to national and racial superiority. Their fierce resistance surprised US leaders, who had expected a quick victory with few casualties. By focusing on how ordinary soldiers and civilians in both countries understood and experienced the conflict, The Dead March offers a clearer picture of the brief, bloody war that redrew the map of North America.


The Mexican-American War

The Mexican-American War

Author: John DiConsiglio

Publisher: Capstone

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 81

ISBN-13: 1432959980

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This book briefly examines the causes and impact of the Mexican-American War.


Book Synopsis The Mexican-American War by : John DiConsiglio

Download or read book The Mexican-American War written by John DiConsiglio and published by Capstone. This book was released on 2012 with total page 81 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book briefly examines the causes and impact of the Mexican-American War.


The Dead March

The Dead March

Author: Peter Guardino

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Published: 2017-08-28

Total Pages: 513

ISBN-13: 0674972341

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Winner of the Bolton-Johnson Prize Winner of the Utley Prize Winner of the Distinguished Book Award, Society for Military History “The Dead March incorporates the work of Mexican historians...in a story that involves far more than military strategy, diplomatic maneuvering, and American political intrigue...Studded with arresting insights and convincing observations.” —James Oakes, New York Review of Books “Superb...A remarkable achievement, by far the best general account of the war now available. It is critical, insightful, and rooted in a wealth of archival sources; it brings far more of the Mexican experience than any other work...and it clearly demonstrates the social and cultural dynamics that shaped Mexican and American politics and military force.” —Journal of American History It has long been held that the United States emerged victorious from the Mexican–American War because its democratic system was more stable and its citizens more loyal. But this award-winning history shows that Americans dramatically underestimated the strength of Mexican patriotism and failed to see how bitterly Mexicans resented their claims to national and racial superiority. Their fierce resistance surprised US leaders, who had expected a quick victory with few casualties. By focusing on how ordinary soldiers and civilians in both countries understood and experienced the conflict, The Dead March offers a clearer picture of the brief, bloody war that redrew the map of North America.


Book Synopsis The Dead March by : Peter Guardino

Download or read book The Dead March written by Peter Guardino and published by Harvard University Press. This book was released on 2017-08-28 with total page 513 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Winner of the Bolton-Johnson Prize Winner of the Utley Prize Winner of the Distinguished Book Award, Society for Military History “The Dead March incorporates the work of Mexican historians...in a story that involves far more than military strategy, diplomatic maneuvering, and American political intrigue...Studded with arresting insights and convincing observations.” —James Oakes, New York Review of Books “Superb...A remarkable achievement, by far the best general account of the war now available. It is critical, insightful, and rooted in a wealth of archival sources; it brings far more of the Mexican experience than any other work...and it clearly demonstrates the social and cultural dynamics that shaped Mexican and American politics and military force.” —Journal of American History It has long been held that the United States emerged victorious from the Mexican–American War because its democratic system was more stable and its citizens more loyal. But this award-winning history shows that Americans dramatically underestimated the strength of Mexican patriotism and failed to see how bitterly Mexicans resented their claims to national and racial superiority. Their fierce resistance surprised US leaders, who had expected a quick victory with few casualties. By focusing on how ordinary soldiers and civilians in both countries understood and experienced the conflict, The Dead March offers a clearer picture of the brief, bloody war that redrew the map of North America.


A Glorious Defeat

A Glorious Defeat

Author: Timothy J. Henderson

Publisher: Macmillan + ORM

Published: 2008-05-13

Total Pages: 253

ISBN-13: 1429922796

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Timothy J. Henderson's A Glorious Defeat provide a short, accessible account of the US-Mexican War. The war that was fought between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 was a major event in the history of both countries: it cost Mexico half of its national territory, opened western North America to U.S. expansion, and brought to the surface a host of tensions that led to devastating civil wars in both countries. Among generations of Latin Americans, it helped to cement the image of the United States as an arrogant, aggressive, and imperialist nation, poisoning relations between a young America and its southern neighbors. In contrast with many current books that treat the war as a fundamentally American experience, Timothy J. Henderson's A Glorious Defeat offers a fresh perspective on the Mexican side of the equation. Examining the manner in which Mexico gained independence, Henderson brings to light a greater understanding of that country's intense factionalism and political paralysis leading up to and through the war. Also touching on a range of topics from culture, ethnicity, religion, and geography, this comprehensive yet concise narrative humanizes the conflict and serves as the perfect introduction for new readers of Mexican history.


Book Synopsis A Glorious Defeat by : Timothy J. Henderson

Download or read book A Glorious Defeat written by Timothy J. Henderson and published by Macmillan + ORM. This book was released on 2008-05-13 with total page 253 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Timothy J. Henderson's A Glorious Defeat provide a short, accessible account of the US-Mexican War. The war that was fought between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 was a major event in the history of both countries: it cost Mexico half of its national territory, opened western North America to U.S. expansion, and brought to the surface a host of tensions that led to devastating civil wars in both countries. Among generations of Latin Americans, it helped to cement the image of the United States as an arrogant, aggressive, and imperialist nation, poisoning relations between a young America and its southern neighbors. In contrast with many current books that treat the war as a fundamentally American experience, Timothy J. Henderson's A Glorious Defeat offers a fresh perspective on the Mexican side of the equation. Examining the manner in which Mexico gained independence, Henderson brings to light a greater understanding of that country's intense factionalism and political paralysis leading up to and through the war. Also touching on a range of topics from culture, ethnicity, religion, and geography, this comprehensive yet concise narrative humanizes the conflict and serves as the perfect introduction for new readers of Mexican history.


A Short, Offhand, Killing Affair

A Short, Offhand, Killing Affair

Author: Paul Foos

Publisher: Univ of North Carolina Press

Published: 2003-11-03

Total Pages: 234

ISBN-13: 0807862002

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The Mexican-American War (1846-48) found Americans on new terrain. A republic founded on the principle of armed defense of freedom was now going to war on behalf of Manifest Destiny, seeking to conquer an unfamiliar nation and people. Through an examination of rank-and-file soldiers, Paul Foos sheds new light on the war and its effect on attitudes toward other races and nationalities that stood in the way of American expansionism. Drawing on wartime diaries and letters not previously examined by scholars, Foos shows that the experience of soldiers in the war differed radically from the positive, patriotic image trumpeted by political and military leaders seeking recruits for a volunteer army. Promised access to land, economic opportunity, and political equality, the enlistees instead found themselves subjected to unusually harsh discipline and harrowing battle conditions. As a result, some soldiers adapted the rhetoric of Manifest Destiny to their own purposes, taking for themselves what had been promised, often by looting the Mexican countryside or committing racial and sexual atrocities. Others deserted the army to fight for the enemy or seek employment in the West. These acts, Foos argues, along with the government's tacit acceptance of them, translated into a more violent, damaging variety of Manifest Destiny.


Book Synopsis A Short, Offhand, Killing Affair by : Paul Foos

Download or read book A Short, Offhand, Killing Affair written by Paul Foos and published by Univ of North Carolina Press. This book was released on 2003-11-03 with total page 234 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Mexican-American War (1846-48) found Americans on new terrain. A republic founded on the principle of armed defense of freedom was now going to war on behalf of Manifest Destiny, seeking to conquer an unfamiliar nation and people. Through an examination of rank-and-file soldiers, Paul Foos sheds new light on the war and its effect on attitudes toward other races and nationalities that stood in the way of American expansionism. Drawing on wartime diaries and letters not previously examined by scholars, Foos shows that the experience of soldiers in the war differed radically from the positive, patriotic image trumpeted by political and military leaders seeking recruits for a volunteer army. Promised access to land, economic opportunity, and political equality, the enlistees instead found themselves subjected to unusually harsh discipline and harrowing battle conditions. As a result, some soldiers adapted the rhetoric of Manifest Destiny to their own purposes, taking for themselves what had been promised, often by looting the Mexican countryside or committing racial and sexual atrocities. Others deserted the army to fight for the enemy or seek employment in the West. These acts, Foos argues, along with the government's tacit acceptance of them, translated into a more violent, damaging variety of Manifest Destiny.


The U.S. War with Mexico

The U.S. War with Mexico

Author: Ernesto Chavez

Publisher: Macmillan Higher Education

Published: 2018-12-05

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 1319242790

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The U.S. war with Mexico was a pivotal event in American history, it set crucial wartime precedents and served as a precursor for the impending Civil War. With a powerful introduction and rich collection of documents, Ernesto Ch‡vez makes a convincing case that as an expansionist war, the U.S.-Mexico conflict set a new standard for the acquisition of foreign territory through war. Equally important, the war racialized the enemy, and in so doing accentuated the nature of whiteness and white male citizenship in the U.S., especially as it related to conquered Mexicans, Indians, slaves, and even women. The war, along with ongoing westward expansion, heightened public debates in the North and South about slavery and its place in newly-acquired territories. In addition, Ch‡vez shows how the political, economic and social development of each nation played a critical role in the path to war and its ultimate outcome. Both official and popular documents offer the events leading up to the war, the politics surrounding it, popular sentiment in both countries about it, and the war's long-term impact on the future development and direction of these two nations. Headnotes, a chronology, maps and a selected bibliography enrich student understanding of this important historical moment.


Book Synopsis The U.S. War with Mexico by : Ernesto Chavez

Download or read book The U.S. War with Mexico written by Ernesto Chavez and published by Macmillan Higher Education. This book was released on 2018-12-05 with total page 192 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The U.S. war with Mexico was a pivotal event in American history, it set crucial wartime precedents and served as a precursor for the impending Civil War. With a powerful introduction and rich collection of documents, Ernesto Ch‡vez makes a convincing case that as an expansionist war, the U.S.-Mexico conflict set a new standard for the acquisition of foreign territory through war. Equally important, the war racialized the enemy, and in so doing accentuated the nature of whiteness and white male citizenship in the U.S., especially as it related to conquered Mexicans, Indians, slaves, and even women. The war, along with ongoing westward expansion, heightened public debates in the North and South about slavery and its place in newly-acquired territories. In addition, Ch‡vez shows how the political, economic and social development of each nation played a critical role in the path to war and its ultimate outcome. Both official and popular documents offer the events leading up to the war, the politics surrounding it, popular sentiment in both countries about it, and the war's long-term impact on the future development and direction of these two nations. Headnotes, a chronology, maps and a selected bibliography enrich student understanding of this important historical moment.


The Mexican-American War

The Mexican-American War

Author: John DiConsiglio

Publisher: Capstone

Published: 2014-11-01

Total Pages: 150

ISBN-13: 1484610784

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Why was the Mexican American War so important in the formation of the modern United States? Could Texas have survived as an independent nation or part of Mexico? This book seeks to relate the overall events and chronology of the war and shows its impact on everyday lives.


Book Synopsis The Mexican-American War by : John DiConsiglio

Download or read book The Mexican-American War written by John DiConsiglio and published by Capstone. This book was released on 2014-11-01 with total page 150 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Why was the Mexican American War so important in the formation of the modern United States? Could Texas have survived as an independent nation or part of Mexico? This book seeks to relate the overall events and chronology of the war and shows its impact on everyday lives.


The Mexican War, 1846-1848

The Mexican War, 1846-1848

Author: Karl Jack Bauer

Publisher: U of Nebraska Press

Published: 1992-01-01

Total Pages: 518

ISBN-13: 9780803261075

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"Much has been written about the Mexican war, but this . . . is the best military history of that conflict. . . . Leading personalities, civilian and military, Mexican and American, are given incisive and fair evaluations. The coming of war is seen as unavoidable, given American expansion and Mexican resistance to loss of territory, compounded by the fact that neither side understood the other. The events that led to war are described with reference to military strengths and weaknesses, and every military campaign and engagement is explained in clear detail and illustrated with good maps. . . . Problems of large numbers of untrained volunteers, discipline and desertion, logistics, diseases and sanitation, relations with Mexican civilians in occupied territory, and Mexican guerrilla operations are all explained, as are the negotiations which led to war's end and the Mexican cession. . . . This is an outstanding contribution to military history and a model of writing which will be admired and emulated."-Journal of American History. K. Jack Bauer was also the author of Zachary Taylor: Soldier, Planter, Statesman of the Old Southwest (1985) and Other Works. Robert W. Johannsen, who introduces this Bison Books edition of The Mexican War, is a professor of history at the University of Illinois, Urbana, and the author of To the Halls of Montezumas: The Mexican War in the American Imagination (1985).


Book Synopsis The Mexican War, 1846-1848 by : Karl Jack Bauer

Download or read book The Mexican War, 1846-1848 written by Karl Jack Bauer and published by U of Nebraska Press. This book was released on 1992-01-01 with total page 518 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Much has been written about the Mexican war, but this . . . is the best military history of that conflict. . . . Leading personalities, civilian and military, Mexican and American, are given incisive and fair evaluations. The coming of war is seen as unavoidable, given American expansion and Mexican resistance to loss of territory, compounded by the fact that neither side understood the other. The events that led to war are described with reference to military strengths and weaknesses, and every military campaign and engagement is explained in clear detail and illustrated with good maps. . . . Problems of large numbers of untrained volunteers, discipline and desertion, logistics, diseases and sanitation, relations with Mexican civilians in occupied territory, and Mexican guerrilla operations are all explained, as are the negotiations which led to war's end and the Mexican cession. . . . This is an outstanding contribution to military history and a model of writing which will be admired and emulated."-Journal of American History. K. Jack Bauer was also the author of Zachary Taylor: Soldier, Planter, Statesman of the Old Southwest (1985) and Other Works. Robert W. Johannsen, who introduces this Bison Books edition of The Mexican War, is a professor of history at the University of Illinois, Urbana, and the author of To the Halls of Montezumas: The Mexican War in the American Imagination (1985).


Mexican-American War, 1846-48

Mexican-American War, 1846-48

Author: Ron Field

Publisher: Potomac Books

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781857532104

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An analysis of both U.S. and Mexican armies with chapters detailing the range of their uniforms, weapons and equipment.


Book Synopsis Mexican-American War, 1846-48 by : Ron Field

Download or read book Mexican-American War, 1846-48 written by Ron Field and published by Potomac Books. This book was released on 1997 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An analysis of both U.S. and Mexican armies with chapters detailing the range of their uniforms, weapons and equipment.