War

Did You Know That The USA Stole Mexico In 1848?

treaty of guadalupe hidalgo

It all started in Texas! The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is both interesting and raises questions on the Mexican and American wars. Have you heard about how the U.S. consistently tried to control most Mexican territory? Read more about the negotiations of the war!

As the U.S. annexed Texas, Mexico cut off all ties with America! This further poked their civil relationship, leading to the war and a large area of Mexico being taken over by America. U.S. President James K. Polk was at the helm when America saw the territorial expansion.

After the annexation of Texas in 1845, there were the Oregon Treaty negotiations in 1846 with Great Britain, so the overall ratifications ended in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

In this article, you will read about how the lands were stolen while the treaty established friendship, peace, settlement, and limits between America and Mexico.

Did You Know That The USA Stole Mexico In 1848?

USA Stole Mexico In 1848

The USA is blamed for steaming Mexico and California because of land expansion during the war, as America was experiencing victory with each step of the war. There were democrats favoring the conflicts during the war while the Congress was quite divided towards the war!

There was even confusion regarding the state of war and whether the president had the right to announce such a thing at that time. The Mexican contention regarding the ownership of Texas was accepted by Americans, which was enough to accept the reasons behind the war.

The war finally ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which was integrated by a chief clerk, Nicholas Trist, from the Department of State and Polk’s peace emissary. He was at one point recalled by the president. However, he neglected it, leading to the treaty signing in Mexico City!

An important outcome was that slavery was completely prohibited in any part of the land or territory owned by the USA! Let’s explore further what was the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo!

Prelude To War: Annexation Of Texas!

Annexation Of Texas
Image Source

The war is known as the Mexican War or, in Spanish, “Guerra de 1847,” which started from the annexation of Texas by the United States in 1845. The dispute was that Texas belonged to the Rio Grande as per the claim made by the U.S., while Mexicans claimed that Texas should end at the Nueces River.

During the war, the U.S. forces were constantly winning, which led to the acquisition of 500,000 square miles in Mexico. The land of Mexican territory extended towards the Pacific Ocean from the westward of Rio Grande.

The United States then started negotiations with Mexico for the Texas border! It was California that was under the spotlight! The U.S. president worked hard to purchase New Mexico and California for $30 million.

However, President Jose Joaquin Herrera of Mexico refused the request of the American president and refused to receive John Slidell, who was sent for these negotiations. After this refusal, the American president sent his troops to occupy the area that was under dispute.

The war was initiated based on the hostilities shown by Mexico to America; hence, there were no negotiations! It directly turned into aggression as there was news that Mexico “invaded American territory and shed American blood on American soil.”

The Mexican-American War!

The Mexican-American War
Image Source

It was in 1846 that Polk manipulated Mexico as he used new strategies to gain congressional support! He identified Mexican troops in the disputed territory and Taylor’s army, thus highlighting it in front of Congress.

It is how he gained support and declared war against Mexico! It was on 13 May 1846 that America declared war on Mexico! Many people highlighted that there could be other solutions to this problem, but Polk maintained that it would be war.

Slavery was offered as an alternative where it was stated that it was extended to the land acquired, thus enhancing their power of creation. However, the war still happened! If you see all the events, you will realize that it was immoral for America to wage war against Mexico.

What Is The Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

What Is The Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Image Source

The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is an official announcement of the ending of the Mexican-American War, which went on from 1846 to 1848. The treaty was signed in 1848 on 2 February by the Mexican government! The government fled to the city with the U.S. forces advancing into Mexico!

The capital city was already seized, and the army of Mexico was defeated; hence, there was nothing else to do but surrender. The treaty was negotiated with peace talks between President Santa Anna and Chief Clerk Nicholas Trist.

The annexation was of 525,000 square miles of land, while in the treaty, the borders extended further into the west of the Pacific, all under the United States. So ultimately, by paying $15 million, the USA bought present-day Mexico and California lands.

Article I

Certain significant aspects were discussed, including universal peace between the Mexican Republic and the United States!

Article II

The provisional suspension of any hostilities is necessary in all places where the U.S. troops have invaded Mexico. Reestablishing their regard for freedom, be it political, judicial, or administrative, the Mexican military must be permitted to follow through.

Article III

The Mexican government was binding itself with facilitating all positions and requirements among the troops and the inhabitants and rendering the Mexican Government the power to decide what to create regarding custom houses! They had to ensure all facilities were available and yielded to the troops.

Article IV

The ratification of the war has been significant as the forces of the United States have restored power to Mexico. Yet, the public properties, such as the forts and castles that have been captured, stay with the U.S. until there is a clear discussion of authority.

There has also been concern regarding the munitions, apparatus of war, restoration of artillery and arms! The entrenchment of the U.S. forces surrounded the city of Mexico, so in the fourth article, the Mexican Government needed to engage with facilitate services that should be convenient for the Troops.

Finishing Off…

The Legacy of war has its roots in Texas. So, the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo informs how the U.S. uses politics to steal away the lands of Mexico! The government was completely rendered and had to support the treaty, especially after losing the capital cities.

The territory of the Mexican Republic was evacuated by the forces of the U.S., leading to further inconvenience for the government!

Comment below about the treaty and how confusing it is for the people regarding the land stealing of Mexico!

Read Also:

sagnika sinha
Sagnika Sinha is a content writer who is passionate about writing travel vlogs, entertainment and celebrity articles and literature-based pieces. With a 4 years experience in teaching, she loves reading books. A procrastinator by nature, she loves travelling, listening to music, planting and gardening.

    You may also like

    Leave a reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *