C.+Mexico+City,+Mexican+American+War,+Polk,+Treaty+of+Guadulpe+Hidalgo,+1846-1848

Mexico City, Mexican American War, Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Thesis: America wanted to expand to the west coast and, using a poorly justified war, invaded Mexico and took their lands for a paltry amount of money.

Mexican American War: media type="youtube" key="DKe2_SFwSYY" height="385" width="480" ** Battle of Mexico City/Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: ** Significance: **
 * James K. Polk entered the presidency with the platform of expanding America to the Pacific Coast
 * Polk had tried to buy California and New Mexico but the Mexican government refused to accept his offers
 * Texas was annexed in 1845 and joined America as a state
 * Polk ordered General Taylor to station troops south of the Rio Grande which was interpreted as the line between Mexico and Texas by the U.S. Mexico believed the Nueces River, east of the Rio Grande was the border and attacked American troops when they did not withdraw as requested.
 * War is declared
 * Little happened during the battle, following the chaos of the American Army being on their doorstep, Mexican officials persuaded Santa Anna to take his forces to leave the city
 * The city was surrendered unconditionally and Mexican politicians welcomed in the American Army.
 * Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed, Mexico sells Nevada, New Mexico and California for 20 million US dollars and the war ended
 * Continental United States completed, at the cost of half a nation and 14,000 American soldiers
 * Land was grossly under-priced for 500,000 square miles
 * War and taking of their lands was justified with Manifest Destiny
 * Expansionism