Mexican-American War Events

Key Events in the Mexican-American War

Event Date Location Significance

Mexico snubs Slidell November 1845 Mexico City Pres. Polk instructs John Slidell to offer up to $25 million for New Mexico and California. Insulted Mexicans refuse to see Slidell.

Polk orders troops to southern Texas January 1846 Rio Grande River Zachary Taylor and 4000 men are sent to disputed territory, expecting attack. Conflict with Mexican troops results in 16 American casualties.
Congress declares war on Mexico May 1846 Washington, D.C. Polk asks for war with Mexico. Northern Whigs fear victory would add more slave states to U.S. Declaration passes 40-2 in Senate, 174-14 in House. Whig Congressman Lincoln asks for the spot on American soil where American blood was shed.
Bear Flag Republic established June 1846 Northern California John C. Fremont and volunteers capture town of Sonoma and hoist Bear Flag.
Americans capture Monterey July 1846 Monterey, California 250 sailors capture Mexico's California capital without a shot.
Kearny takes Santa Fe August 1846 New Mexico Marching from Kansas to California, Stephen Kearny's 1700 men take key Mexican trading post.
Battle of San Pascual December 1846 San Diego, California In fierce fighting, Kearny's forces barely survive attack of Mexican lancers.
Battle of San Gabriel January 1847 San Gabriel, California Californio forces retreat as American forces cross San Gabriel River and take Los Angeles
Battle of Buena Vista February 1847 Central Mexico With a much larger army (20,000 to Taylor's 5,000), Santa Anna is unable to defeat Taylor's American forces.
Veracruz March 1847 East coast of Mexico Winfield Scott and 14,000 men capture port and begin following Cortez's route to Mexico City
Mexico City September 1847 Central Mexico U.S. captures city. Santa Anna loses 4,000 of his 25,000-man army, while Scott loses 900 of his 10,000.
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo February 2, 1848 Central Mexico Mexico gives up all claim to Texas. U.S. pays Mexico $15 million and agrees to assume American citizens' claims ($3,250,000) against Mexico. Expansionists call for "All Mexico." Senate passes treaty 38-14.

Results of Mexican-American War:

Northern Mexico and Texas added to United States (virtually half of Mexico's territory).

In Congress, the Wilmot Proviso was introduced beginning in 1846. It stated that slavery should not be allowed in any territory acquired from Mexico. While it never passed, the Wilmot Proviso provided a well-defined proposal that allowed the free-soil forces to attract thousands of followers.

Please cite this source when appropriate:

Feldmeth, Greg D. "U.S. History Resources"
http://home.earthlink.net/~gfeldmeth/USHistory.html (31 March 1998).

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Event	Date	Location	Significance
Mexico snubs Slidell	November 1845	Mexico City	Pres. Polk instructs John Slidell to offer up to $25 million for New Mexico and California. Insulted Mexicans refuse to see Slidell.
Polk orders troops to southern Texas	January 1846	Rio Grande River	Zachary Taylor and 4000 men are sent to disputed territory, expecting attack. Conflict with Mexican troops results in 16 American casualties.
Congress declares war on Mexico	May 1846	Washington, D.C.	Polk asks for war with Mexico. Northern Whigs fear victory would add more slave states to U.S. Declaration passes 40-2 in Senate, 174-14 in House. Whig Congressman Lincoln asks for the spot on American soil where American blood was shed.
Bear Flag Republic established	June 1846	Northern California	John C. Fremont and volunteers capture town of Sonoma and hoist Bear Flag.
Americans capture Monterey	July 1846	Monterey, California	250 sailors capture Mexico's California capital without a shot.
Kearny takes Santa Fe	August 1846	New Mexico	Marching from Kansas to California, Stephen Kearny's 1700 men take key Mexican trading post.
Battle of San Pascual	December 1846	San Diego, California	In fierce fighting, Kearny's forces barely survive attack of Mexican lancers.
Battle of San Gabriel	January 1847	San Gabriel, California	Californio forces retreat as American forces cross San Gabriel River and take Los Angeles
Battle of Buena Vista	February 1847	Central Mexico	With a much larger army (20,000 to Taylor's 5,000), Santa Anna is unable to defeat Taylor's American forces.
Veracruz	March 1847	East coast of Mexico	Winfield Scott and 14,000 men capture port and begin following Cortez's route to Mexico City
Mexico City	September 1847	Central Mexico	U.S. captures city. Santa Anna loses 4,000 of his 25,000-man army, while Scott loses 900 of his 10,000.
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo	February 2, 1848	Central Mexico	Mexico gives up all claim to Texas. U.S. pays Mexico $15 million and agrees to assume American citizens' claims ($3,250,000) against Mexico. Expansionists call for "All Mexico." Senate passes treaty 38-14.