Texas & the Mexican War Facts for Kids
Had the U.S. lost the war with Mexico during the Mexican War, the map of the United States might look very different from now. The war produced some "firsts" in America's war history. It began in Texas, and introduced personalities who would play significant roles in American history, such as Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant.
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How It Began
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The war between America and Mexico officially began on April 25, 1846 when the opposing forces clashed on the southern border of Texas. Its origin was much earlier when Texas declared independence from Mexico in 1835. The Mexican response included the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. This violent response resulted in the death of hundreds of Americans, including James Bowie and David Crockett. In 1844, United States president James K. Polk annexed Texas as a U.S. territory, which further encouraged hostilities.
Historical Firsts
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The Mexican War was the first fought by American forces on foreign soil. The landing near the city of Vera Cruz on March 12, 1847 was the first ever amphibious landing made by American troops. The Americans eventually won the war and for some time occupied Mexico. That was the first time American forces had ever occupied another nation.
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Key Personalities
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The generals who led American forces included future president Zachary Taylor, William J. Worth, John E. Wool and Winfield Scott. Wool is mostly remembered for his notable participation at the Battle of Buena Vista. Scott led the amphibious landing at Vera Cruz with Worth as one of his commanders. Grant, who later became the commander of the Union Army during the Civil War and a U.S. president, was a quartermaster who worked directly under Scott and Taylor. Lee, who became the commander of the Confederate Army, worked as one of Scott's chief aids.
The End
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Scott's occupation of Mexico City on September 14, 1847 ended the fighting. The war officially ended on February 2, 1848 with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The treaty recognized American annexation of Texas, and turned more than half of Mexico's territory over to the U.S. for a $15 million payment from the U.S. to Mexico. The ceded territory included the states of California, Utah and Nevada and parts of Colorado, Arizona and Wyoming.
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