The Mexican-American War and the Transfer of Power (1846-1848)
The United States was trying to establish power along the pacific coast
in California, where the Mexicans had already settled themselves. In the Rancho
Period, California tied themselves uniquely to the interests of the Americans.
Though there were some tensions, the economic and familial ties created a
diplomatic conclusion to the war that was nearly bloodless but proved to the
Americans of Rancho interests.
Pre-War/Rancho Period
Before the war, Mexico and America had disputes over land ownership. During what was called, the Rancho Period, Mexico gained their independence in 1821 and established themselves in California on large land grants called, ranchos. These ranchos were issued by the Mexican government. Military governors were very unpopular with Californio residents because they were sent by Mexico to govern the lands.
Rocky Mountain Fur Company/Early California American Settlers
On November7, 1836, the Californios were led by a man named Juan Bautista Alvarado who was accompanied by a group of American mountain men led by Isaac Graham of Tennessee. Earlier in 1826, Rocky Mountain Fur Company trappers began traveling to
California, where the Americans seemed to be most known for going over there.
California was a place for trade, where the trappers felt like they could
establish themselves as well as their own families. Not long after that, more
American families began establishing themselves in California because they were
in search of a new way of life. Because of this, the United States set its
sights upon acquiring California for themselves.
Attack on the Pacific Coast |
America wanted to take over the pacific coast. To capture California was their main goal. One of the starting points was by conquering upper or northern California first and then traveling down south. General John Charles Fremont led his men on this first conquest aboard the USS Independence. Fremont and his men destroyed a notable Mexican ship by the name of Correo in 1847. Once Upper California had been secured with all of the cities and vessels captured, Fremont took his men down towards the Gulf of California. With the aide of other American ships, the USS Independence was able to defeat an entire fleet of about thirty Mexican ships within the same year. The northern part of
California had been occupied a year earlier in one area by Captain Robert Addison Gillespie. Fremont had secured
the entire northern territory a year later. The Mexicans tried to
reason and negotiate with the Americans, but
the Americans were not willing to allow California to escape from their grasp.
Instead, there was a massacre of the Indians that worked and resided on the
lands, a number of executions and the conflict over who holds governorship over
California. All of those events tied into the beginning and eventual ending of
the Mexican-American War.
Post-War
A treaty of peace was issued between the Mexicans and Americans on February 2, 1848 in the city of Guadalupe Hidalgo. With tensions still remaining in the air, America by this point had stationed troops in the California territory with the Mexican government and Mexican Republic at their feet. The transfer of California began with economic ties. The Americans were willing to commission with the Mexicans for California, where they would obtain the land as their own for territory expansion reasons, trade and larger settlements for more Americans. With this in mind, the Americans decided to pay the Mexicans a large sum of money in return. Mexican Congress decided that they would agree to negotiate with the Americans.
The Mexicans also sought to be annexed from the United States as an interest of becoming their own country. With the familial ties between the Mexicans and Americans, the Americans were not so much interested in Lower California as they were with the upper portion. They also were to settle damage claims at the Mexican conventions of 1839 and 1843. The Mexican Republic was then freed from having to claim any more charges against the United States once the Americans agreed to pay off those damages. (Fun Fact: America paid fifteen million for California!)
Boundary lines were also fixed between the Mexicans and Americans further strengthening diplomatic relations with the two.
The Mexicans also sought to be annexed from the United States as an interest of becoming their own country. With the familial ties between the Mexicans and Americans, the Americans were not so much interested in Lower California as they were with the upper portion. They also were to settle damage claims at the Mexican conventions of 1839 and 1843. The Mexican Republic was then freed from having to claim any more charges against the United States once the Americans agreed to pay off those damages. (Fun Fact: America paid fifteen million for California!)
Boundary lines were also fixed between the Mexicans and Americans further strengthening diplomatic relations with the two.
Timeline
1821: Mexico gained their independence, establishing themselves on ranchos in California
1826: Rocky Mountain Fur Company trappers traveled to California and began trading there, American families began to establish in California
1836: Californios were being led by Juan Batista Alvarado with American mountain men led by Isaac Graham of Tennessee to California
1846: The Mexican-American War begins
1847: American General John Charles Fremont destroyed the notable Mexican ship, Correo and captured Upper and Lower California, which included the Gulf
1848: A treaty of peace was issued between the Americans and Mexicans to settle disputes, offers and damage claims in the city of Guadalupe Hidalgo
1826: Rocky Mountain Fur Company trappers traveled to California and began trading there, American families began to establish in California
1836: Californios were being led by Juan Batista Alvarado with American mountain men led by Isaac Graham of Tennessee to California
1846: The Mexican-American War begins
1847: American General John Charles Fremont destroyed the notable Mexican ship, Correo and captured Upper and Lower California, which included the Gulf
1848: A treaty of peace was issued between the Americans and Mexicans to settle disputes, offers and damage claims in the city of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Mexican-American War Song
Here is a song to listen and sing along to for help in understanding upon some important events that happened during the war! Lyrics are provided throughout the video.