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Landing of the American forces under Genl. Scott, at Vera Cruz, March 9th, 1847

Library of Congress (no known restrictions)

Setting the Stage

"The jurisdiction of the United States…has passed the capes of Florida and been peacefully extended to the Del Norte." That's how President James K. Polk, in his December 1845 message to Congress, characterized the recent annexation of Texas by the United States. With that statement, Polk declared the boundary between Texas and Mexico was the Rio Del Norte or Rio Grande.

Sea to Shining Sea

Polk campaigned for the Presidency with a pledge to extend the United States to the Pacific Ocean. The addition of the Republic of Texas as the 28th state represented a major step toward that goal.

 

Mexican War Overview

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  A Fight for Texas

  Disputes over the ownership and boundaries of Texas thrust the U.S. and Mexico into war.

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  Battles Along the Rio Grande

  The gauntlet is thrown down as the two countries head into war.

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  An Extended War

  The war pulls U.S. troops deep into Mexico.

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  Peace & After

  The U.S.-Mexican War had a lasting effect on both countries.

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  Mexican War Links

  A broad list of U.S.-Mexican War related sites.

 

More Stories

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  A Site of Mythical Importance

  Fact or fiction? You'll see sometimes it's a little of both.

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  Soldier Pastimes

  Learn how soldiers battled an invisible enemy, boredom.

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  Women in the U.S.-Mexican War

  Whether on the home front or the battlefront, women served their nation in a variety of ways.

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  Lock, Stock, & Barrel

  While the flintlock musket is a simple weapon, its operation is not.