The course of the US-Mexico War

The first stage (1846 ——1847 February)

After the declaration of war, the United States invaded Mexican territory from many fronts. In the Pacific Ocean, the United States Navy sent John. Sloat occupied California and incorporated it into American territory because the United States was afraid that Britain would try to occupy the area. Slote won the support of the Anglo-colonists in Northern California, who had previously claimed to establish an independent Republic of California. With their support, Slote occupied some important cities. At the same time, American troops led by Stephen W. Kearney occupied Santa Fe. Kearney then marched on California. After some minor setbacks, he joined forces with Robert stockton's naval reinforcements to occupy San Diego and Los Angeles. But since then, Kearney and stockton have clashed over the management of California. The reason is that the order issued by Washington is not clear on this point. Stockton appointed John. Fremont is the governor of California, and Kearney calls himself the governor. Finally, Kearney gained the upper hand, and fremont was arrested and punished.

In the Battle of Palo Alto on May 8, 846, 2,300 American troops engaged with 6,000 Mexican troops, and the American troops defeated the opposing cavalry with superior artillery fire. On May 9th, 1700 American troops defeated 5,700 Mexican troops in Parma, Caderas, Reza. On May 18, 2008, General Taylor led his troops across the Rio Grande and occupied the city of matamoros. 14 In July, the vanguard troops arrived in ChaMalgo, 0/000 miles north of Mexico, and established a base to conquer Monterrey. On August 19, Taylor led the officers and men to March to Monterrey. 19 September, the number of American troops increased to 15000, reaching the suburb of Monterey. On September 2 1-24, Taylor's army invaded Monterrey, and on September 25, the ink defenders surrendered. The two sides reached an eight-week truce. 165438+1October 5, Taylor informed Mexico that the armistice agreement would expire on June165438+1October 13. 1 161October 16, Taylor and his men occupied Saarti, the capital of Abela. Before and after this, William Voss led his troops to occupy Monclova and pallas, west of Monterey. In the western war zone, on June 1846, a group of American immigrants began an uprising in the Sacramento valley. /kloc-in June of 0/4, immigrants occupied San Nomin, established the "California Republic", and raised the bear flag with a gray background. At the same time, Brigadier General John Slote led the fleet from mazatlan Port in the Gulf of Mexico to California. On July 2, he arrived in Monterrey, south of San Francisco, and announced that California was a part of the United States. On July 9, American troops occupied San Francisco and San Nomin, and the star-spangled banner replaced the bear flag. Soon, the US Navy occupied Fort Sartor and Santa Barbara near Sacramento, and captured Los Angeles on August 13. /kloc-in August of 0/7, the commander of the western front, Brigadier General Robert F. stockton, announced that California was merged into the United States and established a new regime with him as the ruler. (September -65438+ 10, a fierce anti-occupation struggle took place in the American-occupied area. During this period, Carney led the expeditionary force to Bentburg (located at the intersection of Arkansas River and Santa Fe Trail) on June-July 25th 1846. On August 2, Carney crossed the desert and arrived in New Mexico. (Follow the Arkansas River to the mouth of the Tinpas River, enter the mountainous area through the southwest, and the troops cross the Raton Pass at an altitude), arrive in Las Vegas on August 15, and declare that New Mexico is a part of the United States. On August 18, Santa Fe was occupied, ending more than 800 miles of marching. On September 25th, Carney led his cavalry to California and arrived in San Diego on February 12. On February 29th, 65438, Carney and stockton's troops arrived in Los Angeles. Occupy Los Angeles 1847 65438+ 10/0. 65438+ 10/3, the military operations in New Mexico and California basically ended. (Related to this) 1846, 10 At the end of June, another expeditionary force, Doniphan, set off from Santa Fe and traveled 3,000 miles, and arrived in Chihuahua on March 1847 and 1 day. On February 27th, 65438, American troops occupied El Paso. 1 On February 28th, 847, the American army defeated the Mexican Defense Forces in the Battle of Sacramento.1On March 28th, 2008, Doniphan troops marched into Chihuahua. General Taylor and his men occupied Victoria in Tamaulipas on February 29th. 1847 February 5 to 17 February 4, (led by Taylor) went to Aguaneva, west of Satiero 18 mile. (1847) On February 2 1-24, the American and Mexican armies fought fiercely, and the American army won, ending its military operations in northern Mexico. (1847 February 2 1 From March 29, Scott's expedition to Veracruz was an important event in the US-Mexico War in the spring of1847. Capturing the most important fortress on the east coast of Mexico, the US military can take a mountainous land route to Mexico City. On February 65438, 2008, Scott established his headquarters in tampico. )

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.

Phase II (February 1847 to 1848)

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. Winfield scott, commander of the US military, planned and implemented two sacrifices to land in Veracruz.

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. More than 7000 people were captured and killed by Mexican troops, but nearly 1000 people were killed and injured by American troops. 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.

peace talks

1848 65438+1October 2, the US-Mexico peace talks officially started. On February 2nd, the Guadalupe-Hidalgo Treaty was signed in Guadalupe-Hidalgo village on the outskirts of Mexico. According to the treaty, all rights north of Rio Grande in Mexico were ceded to Texas, and New Mexico and Upper California were ceded to the United States. The United States agreed to pay $654.38+05 million and bear the $3.25 million compensation demanded by American citizens from the Mexican government. The US-Mexico boundary line is drawn along the Rio Grande to the south of New Mexico, from here to the northwest of Xihe River, from here to the Sierra River and Colorado River, and from here to the upper and lower California lines to the Pacific Ocean. (The treaty was submitted to the United States Senate on February 23rd, 848. On February 22nd, President Polk sent a letter to Congress, stressing that he was "fully aware of the conclusion and signing of the treaty" and affirmed that the treaty was "basically consistent with Polk's ratification". On March 10, the Senate ratified the treaty with a majority of 38 votes to 14. On May 30th, the United States and Mexico exchanged instruments of ratification. On July 4, President Polk issued an announcement announcing the formal entry into force of the Treaty.

Number of soldiers killed on both sides

About 1.3 million American soldiers died in the whole war, of which only 1.7 million died directly, and others died of diseases or unsanitary conditions in wartime. The death toll in Mexico is unknown, estimated at 25,000.

During the war, a group mainly composed of Irish immigrants defected to the United States and went to Mexico. Some people say that they defected because their religious beliefs were insulted by other soldiers in the US military, so they defected to Catholic Mexico. Most of these soldiers died in battle, and some were captured and hanged. Some historians say that these people were actually Mexican prisoners of war and were forced to fight in Mexico, while others called them traitors. Up to now, there are still some monuments in Mexico to commemorate them.

According to the data of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the last American soldier who fought in the war died on September 3rd, 1929 at the age of 98.