What is the war between America and Mexico?

After the war of independence, the American ruling group has always regarded the expansion to the west as a national policy, especially the slave owners group in the south, which served as a deep-water bomb for territorial expansion. This is because the survival and development of plantation economy in South China depends on expanding new land to move plantations to avoid the decline of soil fertility. 19 After the1920s, the United States accelerated its expansion to the west and established the expansion theory that "fate is determined by nature", claiming that "our destiny right is to extend to the whole continent". The number of immigrants in the western United States has surged, with 1835 reaching 30,000, as far away as California and New Mexico. Migrants often have disputes with the Mexican government. 1835, the U.S. government instigated the Texas slave owners to launch an armed rebellion, and Mexico sent troops to suppress it and annihilated the U.S. troops in the Alamo 187. The United States sent troops to defeat the Mexican army, declared Texas "independent" and established "Xiong Xingguo". 1844 general election, Polk was elected president of the United States, ready to go to war with Mexico. /kloc-0 announced the annexation of Texas in July, 845. At the same time, the United States has stepped up its invasion of other Mexican territories. In order to annex large areas of land in New Mexico and California, on May 1846, the United States declared war on Mexico and the US-Mexico War broke out.

The United States has an absolute advantage over Mexico in strength. The United States has a developed economy, well-trained and well-equipped troops, advanced front rifles and cannons, and the navy controls the sea power. Mexico is a backward agricultural country with a population of 7 million, most of whom are Indians. The country has only 32,000 soldiers, almost no navy, poor equipment and lack of training and discipline.

This war is roughly divided into two stages. 1846- 1847 February, the battlefield was mainly launched in three directions. Taylor commanded the main American forces to engage with the main Mexican forces in northern Mexico. In the Battle of Palo Alto on May 8th, 2,300 American troops fought 6,000 Mexican troops, and the American troops defeated the opposing cavalry with superior artillery fire. On May 9th, 65,438+0,700 American troops defeated 5,700 Mexican troops in Parma, Reza, Caderas. On September 24th, the number of American troops increased to 65,438+5,000, and Monterrey was captured. 1February, 847, the two sides fought fiercely in Buena Vista. Santa Anna, commander-in-chief of the Mexican army, tried to surround 5,000 American troops with 20,000 people. The Mexican army repelled the American attack several times and captured more than 400 people. However, with the advantage of artillery, the American army repelled the Mexican army. In this campaign, American troops suffered 746 casualties and Mexican troops lost 1500-2000. In California, from June to July, American immigrants defeated the Mexican army, established the "Republic of California" and raised the "Xiong Xing flag". U.S. Navy Expedition to California to Support Immigrants. In September, Mexicans revolted and expelled American immigrants. The United States sent more troops to cooperate with the Pacific Fleet, defeated Mexican troops in California and New Mexico, and merged these two regions into the United States. 1846 65438+In February, Doniphan led 900 American troops to attack 1000 Li, captured Chihuahua, an important town in northern Mexico, and joined forces with Taylor Army in Monterrey.

By the end of the first stage of the war, the United States had occupied a large area of land in northern Mexico. Although the number of American troops is small, relying on superb tactical accomplishment and sophisticated equipment, they defeated the Mexican army, which is dominated by Indians. The Mexican people launched guerrilla warfare in the American-occupied area, forcing the US military to stop marching.

From February 1847 to February 1848, the war entered the second stage. The number of American troops has increased to 60,000, and half of them have been sent to Mexico. In order to completely defeat Mexico's resistance and change the main attack direction, the US military began to look for the shortest route to capture the capital, Mexico City. US military commander winfield scott planned and implemented the amphibious landing on Veracruz Island.

Veracruz is the largest port on the east coast of Mexico and has important strategic value. Scott concentrated 13000 troops, equipped with 50 cannons, and attacked the port with the support of the navy's Gulf of Mexico sub-fleet. Veracruz is defended by 4000 Mexican troops, and the fortifications are strong. In order to complete the amphibious attack, Scott specially ordered a special landing craft and made intensive training and careful preparations for the troops. On March 9, American troops began to land on the beach 3 miles southeast of Veracruz. The Mexican army did not resist, and 8,000 American troops landed smoothly without any casualties. Then, American troops began to besiege Veracruz. Since March 22nd, 72 American warships and army artillery have been brutally shelling Veracruz for several days. Scott ordered that no one alive should leave the city unless the Mexicans surrendered. The city was severely damaged under the heavy artillery fire of the American army. At one time, "the streets and alleys in the city were full of blood, and the limbs of people who were blown up by enemy shells were everywhere." More than 65,438,000 civilians were killed or injured, with a loss of 5 million pesos. Mexican defenders stubbornly resisted, and dockers and fishermen also actively participated in the war, resulting in 82 casualties of the US military. On March 29th, the Mexican army stopped resisting under the command of the commander, and the American army captured the city. This amphibious landing, from a military point of view, was very successful. The United States and Lu Haijun cooperated closely to achieve the predetermined operational objectives, which was called "the most successful amphibious landing operation in19th century".

The U.S. military then advanced to the capital, Mexico City. Santa Anna hastily gathered 13000 people to fight the American army in Cerro Gordo. On April 18, the US military sent commandos through the valley jungle, raided the left wing of the Mexican army, and defeated the Mexican army, capturing more than 3,000 people and causing 400 casualties. On May 15, American troops advanced to Puebla, 80 miles from Mexico City. Because the upper class in the city surrendered, American soldiers captured the third largest city in Mexico without bloodshed. On August 6th, 10000 American troops arrived at the gate of Mexico City.

Mexican soldiers and civilians fought bravely to defend the capital. The Mexican army concentrated 20,000 people, 100 cannons. At this time, the Mexican army was dominated by whites, and its combat effectiveness was significantly improved. The two sides first fought fiercely outside the suburbs. In the two wars of Contreras and Chulu Bushko, the American army once again defeated the superior enemy with heavy artillery fire. The Mexican army suffered more than 7,000 casualties, but the American army suffered nearly 1000 casualties. On September 7, the Mexican government held short-term negotiations with the United States and rejected the unreasonable demands of the United States. The American army launched a general attack on Mexico City. The Mexican army fought bravely and repelled many attacks by the American army, which suffered heavy casualties. The fighting is particularly fierce in Tepek Mountain, chapple, overlooking Mexico City. Students from the Mexican Military Academy fought bravely. The American army rushed to the top of the mountain like a flood, and the students braved the bullets and fought back bravely. American troops have suffered casualties everywhere. After the Mexican army ran out of bullets, it fought hand-to-hand with the enemy. Finally, six young students fought to the last man and died gloriously, so they were called "young heroes". /kloc-On the evening of September, 2003, Santa Anna led the members of the government to retreat, causing chaos in the whole city, and the presidential palace was ransacked by mobs. At dawn on September 14, American troops entered the city. At first, the US military swaggered and held a ceremony to enter the city in brand-new uniforms. Many citizens watched and suddenly there were gunshots. Mexican snipers fired at the American troops from all directions, and the American troops fell one after another. Fierce street fighting has been going on all day, with more than 860 American casualties. Later, because the Mexican city Council was afraid of American retaliation and ordered a ceasefire, the US military finally captured the Mexican capital.

However, Mexican troops are still fighting fiercely with American troops all over the country. The Mexican people also waged guerrilla warfare in the American-occupied areas, fighting the American troops with broadswords, spears and shotguns. Only in February of 1847, more than 300 Americans were killed in an ambush. In June+10, 5438, guerrillas raided Puebla again, killing the governor of the United States and destroying most of the defenders. The U.S. military has carried out cruel repression, but it still can't put out the fire of people's resistance. 1At the end of 847, 20,000 Americans were fighting guerrilla warfare.

If the Mexican government had fully mobilized its people, it could have turned defeat into victory. But the upper ruling group panicked because of the fall of the capital. 1847, 10 In June, Santa Ana was dissolved, a new government was formed, and negotiations with the United States began. 1848 In February, the two sides signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Mexico ceded more than half of its territory of 6.5438+0.9 million square kilometers, namely California, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The United States paid $654.38+$082,500.

The US-Mexico War is a naked war of aggression launched by the United States, and even American general Grant admits that "this war is one of the most unjust wars launched by a powerful country against a weak country in history". The war ended with the victory of the United States and the division of land by Mexico. However, the United States also paid a heavy price:12,876 people died (including1155 people died of injuries) and 4 102 people were injured, costing 97.5 million dollars.

The reason for Mexico's failure lies in the struggle for power and interests among leaders, nobles and religious groups, as well as compromise and surrender. The Mexican army is poorly trained, backward in equipment and poor in command ability of aristocratic officers. The victory of the US military lies in its good quality, and its tactical level, firepower and maneuverability all have absolute advantages. In particular, a group of graduates from West Point Military Academy, such as robert lee, Zachary Taylor, hiram grant and others, showed high command ability. In particular, Scott made a careful battle plan by using the school system and successfully commanded the landing of Veracruz and the siege of Mexico City. Wellington, a famous British soldier at that time, once praised him as "the greatest living soldier". He called the battle of Veracruz-Mexico City "unparalleled in military history".

There are many firsts in American military history: the first American war in a foreign country, the first amphibious landing, the first street fighting, the first use of steam warships, the first establishment of a military government in an enemy country, and the first war commanded by professional troops alone. The vast territory and rich resources expanded during the war laid the foundation for American industrialization. However, territorial expansion also promoted the development of slavery in the southern United States, aggravated the contradiction between the North and the South, and laid a curse for the future civil war.