What is the Mexican-American War Context for in APUSH?

The Mexican-American War was a watershed moment in American history, and it continues to have a profound impact on the United States today. In order to understand the war’s significance, it is important to understand its historical context.

The Mexican-American War was fought between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848. The war was sparked by a number of factors, including the annexation of Texas by the United States in 1845, and the Mexican government’s refusal to recognize the annexation. The war ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ceded to the United States the Mexican Cession, a vast territory that included present-day California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming.

The Mexican-American War had a number of important consequences, including:

• The expansion of the United States to the Pacific Ocean
• The acquisition of a vast amount of new territory, which would later become some of the most populous and prosperous states in the Union
• The displacement of indigenous peoples from their traditional lands
• The rise of sectional tensions in the United States, which would eventually lead to the Civil War

The Mexican-American War is a complex and controversial topic, and there is no easy consensus on its significance. However, there is no doubt that the war had a profound impact on the United States, and it continues to shape American history today.

Key Events in the Mexican-American War

• 1845: Texas is annexed by the United States.
• 1846: The United States declares war on Mexico.
• 1847: American forces capture Mexico City.
• 1848: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the war.

Key Figures in the Mexican-American War

• James K. Polk: President of the United States during the Mexican-American War.
• Zachary Taylor: American general who led the invasion of Mexico.
• Winfield Scott: American general who led the capture of Mexico City.
• Antonio López de Santa Anna: President of Mexico during the Mexican-American War.

Impact of the Mexican-American War

The Mexican-American War had a profound impact on the United States, both in the short term and the long term.

• In the short term:
  • The war led to the expansion of the United States to the Pacific Ocean.
  • The war resulted in the acquisition of a vast amount of new territory, which would later become some of the most populous and prosperous states in the Union.
• In the long term:
  • The war contributed to the rise of sectional tensions in the United States, which would eventually lead to the Civil War.
  • The war had a lasting impact on the relationship between the United States and Mexico.

The Mexican-American War in APUSH

The Mexican-American War is a key topic in APUSH, the Advanced Placement United States History course. Students who are taking APUSH should be familiar with the war’s causes, consequences, and key figures. Students should also be able to analyze the war’s impact on the United States, sowohl in the short term as in the long term.

Additional Resources

• The Mexican-American War from History.com
• The Mexican-American War from Encyclopedia Britannica
• The Mexican-American War from the National Archives and Records Administration

Tables

Table 1: Key Events in the Mexican-American War

Table 2: Key Figures in the Mexican-American War

Table 3: Impact of the Mexican-American War

Table 4: FAQs About the Mexican-American War