Why did Texas, California, Arizona, and New Mexico cease to belong to Mexico?

MEXICO CITY, May 13. (Notimerica) –

The US intervention in Mexico or the war between the United States and Mexico began on May 13, 1846. The conflict, like any other battle, did nothing good for either country. Mexico lost more than 50 percent of its territory and around 360,000 soldiers. For the United States, another war, that of secession, broke out due to the differences between its population.

American expansionist cravings they were patents since the beginning of the 19th century. Before the independence of Mexico, the Viceroyalty of New Spain, under the protection of the Spanish Crown, signed the Adams-Onís treaty by which the borders between the two countries were established. Spain lost the territories of Oregon and Florida, but won Texas.

Mexico became independent in 1821 and ratified the Adams-Onís treaty. The United States saw its independence as an opportunity to expand its territory. Little by little, American settlers arrived in Texas who, under the protection of the Mexican government, lived in better conditions than the Mexicans themselves. Among some of its privileges stood out not paying taxes and the possession of slaves. Given this, Mexico considered building a wall between the United States and Texas, but the idea never came to fruition.

The differences became greater and greater, until in 1846 Texas declared its independence and annexation to the United States. Mexico, in an attempt to defend its territory, sent troops commanded by General Antonio López de Santa Anna. However, the United States captured him and forced him to sign the Treaty of Velasco. Such an agreement, in exchange for his freedom, stipulated the withdrawal of Mexican troops and the recognition of the independence of Texas. Mexico rejected the deal and the US Congress formally declared war on May 13, 1846.

The news of the outbreak of the conflict spread throughout the American territory. California declared its independence in June, calling itself the Republic of the Bear Flag. New Mexico was claimed by Texas and Arizona, belonging to Baja California, was invaded shortly after the conflict began. Mexico, with a smaller population and armament, could do nothing to counteract the invasion of its territories.

The war ended with the Guadalupe Hidalgo treaty, signed in that same city on February 2, 1848. Mexico lost more than 50 percent of its surface, He was not required compensation for the war and was compensated with 15 million for the lost territories. The United States experienced a brief boom in patriotism, fueled by the enthusiasm with which the press covered the war and the multitude of news stories that emerged from the invention of the telegraph.

The differences soon appeared. Some Americans supported the contest for their territorial, commercial, and slave interests. But others did not see it so clearly, as Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President of the United States. This came to declare: “I don’t think there has been a more unjust war like the one the United States waged against Mexico, it was following the bad example of the European monarchies.”

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