2. What is the Mexican War?
War between Mexico and America over the annexation of Texas and
some of Mexico's northern lands.
It lasted from April 25th 1846 – February 2nd 1848.
The War started at the Rio Grande and took place in Texas, California,
New Mexico, Mexico city, Northern, Central, and Eastern Mexico.
3. What Caused The War?
Texas gained its independence from Mexico in
1836
U.S President Polk believed that America has a
“Manifest destiny” to spread across the entire
continent to the Pacific Ocean
Mexican President José Joaquín Herrera
refused to negotiate with the United States on
purchasing any or their territory.
President Polk Positioned Troops in what was
a part of the Mexican State Coahuila
Mexican troops attacked and killed 16 U.S
soldiers April 25th, 1846
4. The War Begins
On May 11th President Polk sends a
message to congress stating that
Mexico “Invaded our territory and
shed American blood on American
soil”
On May 13th 1846 Congress
approves declaration of war with
Mexico.
5. THESIS
The Mexican American war played a significant
role in the future of the united states. By the end
of the war the United States gained over
500,000 square miles of territory. These newly
formed states deepened the tension between
the North and Southern states. Some states
were free states and others were open to
slavery eventually these tensions lead to the
American Civil war which resulted in the
abolition of slavery.
6. Timeline: May - June 1846
John Riley creates one of Mexico’s best
fighting forces, The St.Patrick’s
Battalion.(May)
Colonel Stephen Kearny and his army depart
to invade New Mexico and California. They
crossed over 800 miles “ The Long Mile
Marcher”(June 16th)
7. Timeline: July – August 1846
The Independent Republic of California
lasted a few weeks before American forces
arrived (July 4th)
Mexican President Paredes departs New
Mexico city for Guadalajara. He leaves
Nicolas Bravo in charge. (July 27th)
President Nicolas Bravo was removed from
office and replaced by General Mariano
Salas.(August 4th)
U.S Naval forces occupied Los Angeles
California under the command of Robert F
Stockton. (August 13th )
8. Timeline: August 1846
Antonio Lopez returns to Mexico. Americans
hoped he would promote peace. Instead he
lead the Mexican defense against the
American invaders (August 16th)
Colonel Kearny occupies Santa Fe, New
Mexico ( August 18th)
9. Timeline: September 1846
The Siege of Monterrey. General Taylor
captures the Mexican City of Monterrey
(September 20th – 23rd )
President Polk request that congress
raise 50,000 volunteers to meet War
time needs.
10. Timeline: October 1846
Battle of Dominguez Rancho: Californios led
by Jose Antonio Carillo defeated 203 US
Marines led by the U.S navy Captain William
Mervine (October 7th)
First Batte of Tabasco: Comander Perry
makes a demonstration against Tabasco it
resulted in an unknown victory ( October
24th – 26th )
11. Timeline: November 1846
President Polk appoints Major General
Winfield Scott the leader of an invasion
force. Scott was a highly decelerated Veteran
from the War of 1812. (November 19th)
Scott departs Washington and heads for
Texas. (November 23rd )
12. Timeline: December 1846
Mexican congress elects Antonio Lopes de
Santa Anna as president of Mexico
(December 6th )
Colonel Kearny occupies San Diego with U.S
troops (December 12th )
Mexican General Mariano Salas turns power
over to Santa Anna’s Vice President Valentin
Gomez Farias (December 24th )
13. Timeline: February 1847
The Battle of Buena Vista: The Americans
hold the ground they gained until the end of
the war without any farther advancements
(February 22-23 ).
Last battle to take place in Northern Mexico
5,000 American troops were able to turn
back the Mexican army using heavy artillery
14. Timeline: February 1847
Mexican National Guard Units rebel against
President Santa Anna and Vice President
Gomez Farias. (February 26th)
They refused to mobilize and demand the
repeal of a law forcing loans from the
Catholic Church to fund the government.
Battle of Rio Sacramento: Colonel Alexander
Doniphan defeats a large Mexican army that
took place near Chihuahua, Mexico.(
February 28th )
15. Timeline: March 1847
Major General Scott lands near Veracruz.
(March 9th)
President Santa Anna reaches an agreement
with Mexican National Guard. (March 21st )
Veracruz falls to U.S troops and with this new
territory Scott has access to resupply from
the USA. (March 29th )
Vicious 20 day battle against Mexican
Marines and Coast Guard.
16. Timeline: April 1847
Mexican President Santa Anna departs
Mexico City to fight Major General Scott
and leaves Pedro Maria Anaya in
presidency. (April 2nd )
Battle of Cerro Gordo: Major General
Scott used U.S troops to flank and drove
back Santa Anna’s large Mexican army. (
April 18th)
First Battle of Tuxpan : Commander
Mathew Perry seizes the port city of
Tuxpan using U.S naval troops on the Gulf
coast ( April 18th )
17. Timeline: May 1847
Santa Ann returns to Mexico City to resume
presidency ( May 20th )
Battle of Red River Canyon: New Mexico
troops fight with United States forces which
results in American victory. ( May 26th )
18. Timeline: June 1847
Second Battle of Tuxpan: Commander Perry’s
fleet engage Mexican troops a second time
and results in U.S Victory
Third Battle of Tuxapan: small skirmish
between U.S Naval fleet and Mexican troops
that once again resulted in U.S vicoty. ( June
30th )
19. Timeline: July 1847
Battle of Las Vegas: New Mexico and U.S
soldiers fight at Las Vegas resulting in
American victory. (July 6th)
Battle of Cienega Creek: New Mexicans and
United States soldiers fight near Taos, New
Mexico resulting in a U.S victory. ( July 9th )
20. Timeline: August 1847
Battle of Contreras: Santa Anna failed to
support the Mexican line resulting in a U.S
victory. (August 19th )
Battle of Churubusco: Mexican troops held a
fortified monastery against Major General
Scott. More than half of the San Patricio's
troops were killed or captured and the rest
retreat with Mexican forces. (August 20th )
Armistice is declared between U.S and
Mexico ( August 24th )
21. Timeline: September 1847
Armistice breaks down and Major general
Scott accuses Mexicans of breaking terms
and using time to improve defenses.
(September 6th )
Battle of Molino del Rey: One of the
bloodiest battles of the Mexican-American
War. Nearly 800 U.S soldiers were killed but
still resulted in American victory. ( September
8th)
22. Timeline: September 1847
Battle of Chapultepec: Americans storm the
gates into Mexico City. Fierce fighting took
place in Mexico city that resulted in U.S
victory.( September 13th – 14th )
Mexican President Santa Anna moves his
troops out of Mexico City. General Scott and
his troops occupy the city ( September 14th )
Santa Anna is relieved of command . The
Mexican government re-group in Queretaro.
Manuel de la Pena y Pena is named
president. ( September 16th )
23. Timeline: October 1847
Battle of Humantla: U.S relief was able to
reach Puebla, Mexico. (October 9th )
The Siege of Puebla: With the help of the
relief force troops were able to fight its way
into the city. ( October 12th )
Atlixco Affair: Skirmish late in the Mexican-
American war resulting in U.S victory (
October 19th )
24. Timeline: February 1848
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo signed,
Officially ending the Mexican-American war.
(February 2nd )
The Treaty states that the Mexican cession of
500,000 square miles to the United States in
exchange for 15 million dollars
26. Ending Events
Santa Anna escapes from Mexico and
goes into exile in Jamaica. (April 1848)
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is
approved by the USA. (March 10th )
Mexican President Manuel de la Pena y
Pena resigns. General Jose Joaquin de
Herrera is to replace him as president. (
May 13th)
The Mexican Congress ratifies the treaty (
May 30th)
The last US troops depart Mexico from
Veracruz ( July 15th )
27. Life In This Era
This topic shows how most of our western boarders were
formed. What was unique about this topic was the way
our leaders felt the need to expand our territories, which
has always resulted in war.
Living in this era I would be very proud of our
government because more of these battles we won and
were able to expand our society on the other hand I
would be very saddened at all the lives taken to
accomplish this task.
Before this presentation I knew nothing of the Mexican
American war. In my opinion it is one of the least
mentioned wars we've faced even though it marked the
western territories of the United States.
28. Work Cited
Hickman, Kennedy. "Mexican-American War: Battle of Monterrey."
ThoughtCo, Oct. 6, 2017, thoughtco.com/mexican-american-war-battle-of-
monterrey-2361046.
Weiser,Kathy. “ Mexican-American war time line.” Legends of America,
March 2016. legendsofamerica.com/ah-mexicanamericanwartimeline.html
History.com staff. “Mexican-American War.” 2009.A+E Network.
http://www.history.com/topics/mexican-american-war
Lee, R. "The History Guy: The Mexican-American War.“10/14/17 History Guy
Media. //www.historyguy.com/Mexican-American_War.html
Nelson, Ken. " History: Mexican-American War ." Ducksters. Technological
Solutions, Inc. (TSI), Dec. 2017. Web. 7 Dec. 2017. <
http://www.ducksters.com/history/westward_expansion/mexican-
american_war.php >.
"Mexican-American War." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. .
Encyclopedia.com. 7 Dec. 2017 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>