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When The Americans and Mexicans Started Having a Conflict Against Each Other
James K. Polk received a message that Mexican troops had crossed the Rio Grande on April 25 and attacked Zachary Taylor’s troops that were supposed to occupy the area between Nueces and the Rio Grande, killing or injuring 16 of them. -
When the War Began
On May 13, the Congress approved a declaration of war, but the war divided because those in the south privileged the conflict. -
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Illness of the War
A lot of people died. Over 10,000 troops died of illness because of Yellow Fever, smallpox and measles. -
Abolitionists
Abolitionists saw the war as an attempt by the slave states to extend slavery. Henry David Thoreau, who was incarcerated in July 1846 when he refused to pay six years’ worth of back poll taxes because he felt the U.S. government’s prosecution of the war with Mexico was immoral. -
The Whigs
The Whigs were accused of treason from Polk in December 1846. -
War with Mexico
In January 1847, when the Whigs controlled the House, they voted 85 to 81 to reproof Polk for having “unnecessarily and unconstitutionally” initiated war with Mexico. -
Taylor's Army
Following its original plan for the war, the United States sent its army from the Rio Grande, under Taylor. Taylor’s army fought several battles south of the Rio Grande, captured the city of Monterrey, and defeated a major Mexican force at the Battle of Buena Vista in February 1847. -
Winfield Scott
Polk then got Winfield Scott to take an army by the sea and march inward to Mexico City. Scott’s campaign was marked by an unbroken series of victories, and he entered Mexico City on September 14, 1847. -
Spot Resolutions
In December 1847 Lincoln introduced eight “Spot Resolutions,” which placed the analysis of Polk’s claim in a carefully describes historical context. -
End of War
Zachary Taylor became a national hero and Polk became president in 1849. The War ended on February 2, 1848.
