mexican american war

The Mexican-American War was a conflict fought between the United States and Mexico from April 25, 1846, to February 2, 1848. It began primarily due to a disputed boundary between the United States and Texas on the Nueces Strip, which Mexico did not recognize as part of the U.S. Texas had declared independence from Mexico and was annexed by the U.S. in 1845, which Mexico considered an act of aggression. The war was instigated by President James K. Polk, who sent troops into the contested region knowing this would provoke a conflict. After a skirmish in which Mexican forces killed 11 American soldiers, Polk used this incident to convince Congress to declare war on Mexico. The U.S. army, under generals like Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott, fought and won several decisive battles. The war ended with the U.S. capturing Mexico City in 1847. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 ended the war, with Mexico relinquishing its claims on Texas and ceding vast territories including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming to the United States. The U.S. paid $15 million to Mexico and assumed debts owed by Mexico to American citizens. The war had significant consequences, expanding U.S. territory but also intensifying sectional conflicts over slavery. Disease caused more American casualties than combat. The war set the stage for future U.S. expansion and was crucial in shaping North American political boundaries.