A United Country?
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 and the later Gadsden Purchase resulted in Mexico losing 55% of its territory. Also, the obvious and disastrous defeats of the Mexican Army prompted a deep examination into the practices of the Mexican Army. Politically Mexico was in turmoil for another decade, with the government being overthrown and Santa Ana being elected President once again. He was eventually overthrown and exiled, but by then Mexico had been weakened even more.
The American military saw the Mexican American War as the latest of their successful campaigns. It was a testing ground for new technologies such as mobile artillery and newer firearms, with several victories being directly related to the use of such advanced weapons. The junior officers serving in this war were outstanding, and their many achievements foreshadowed their respective duties in the American Civil War. In fact, most of the generals on either side of the Civil War could trace their service back to the Mexican American War.
"The Southern rebellion was largely the outgrowth of the Mexican war. Nations, like individuals, are punished for their transgressions. We got our punishment in the most sanguinary and expensive war of modern times." -Ulysses S. Grant
"The United States will conquer Mexico, but it will be as the man swallows the arsenic, which brings him down in turn. Mexico will poison us." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Many historians have connected the conditions that led to the Civil War originated with the ending of the Mexican American War. Perhaps this is because of the slave states being restricted from expanding westward. Regardless, the stage was set for a titanic conflict, and in 1865 America exploded in total war.
"The Southern rebellion was largely the outgrowth of the Mexican war. Nations, like individuals, are punished for their transgressions. We got our punishment in the most sanguinary and expensive war of modern times." -Ulysses S. Grant
"The United States will conquer Mexico, but it will be as the man swallows the arsenic, which brings him down in turn. Mexico will poison us." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Many historians have connected the conditions that led to the Civil War originated with the ending of the Mexican American War. Perhaps this is because of the slave states being restricted from expanding westward. Regardless, the stage was set for a titanic conflict, and in 1865 America exploded in total war.