The Mexican-American War
- When the U.S. annexed Texas, ten years after it had won it's independence from Mexico, Mexico saw this as an act of aggression by America. Mexico was worried America was taking Mexico's outer settlements and colonies. President Polk's strong spirit of Manifest destiny was threatening to the young Mexico nation that had gained independence from Spain recently. Mexico threatened war if America annexed Texas. Native Indians, especially the Comanche, took advantage of Mexico's weakened state, Mexico was on the verge of civil war at the time. Texas' boundaries were disputed and Polk claimed the opposing view Mexico had. Polk sent troops to take the disputed land by force. America was met by little resistance due to Indian raids in North Mexico done weeks before. When America had ambitions on California, offering accession into the Union, Britain and France took advantage of the distraction claiming Oregon territory and lands near the pacific. The U.S. stated they would fight for Oregon but a treaty with Britain dividing Oregon in half between both was resolved. California is a confusing battle. Mexico was still fighting to retain it even though it was an independent republic. America was fighting to take it from Mexico but Mexico didn't control it. Mexico seceded and the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, America had won two of it's now largest states.
A map showing the territories of America and Mexico, the war was over if the disputed land was part of the annexation of Texas or not.