admin. review lesson 5: the mexican war 1846-1848
TRANSCRIPT
Admin
Review
Lesson 5:
The Mexican War
1846-1848
Learning Objectives• Comprehend the effectiveness of the U.S. Navy as
an instrument of diplomacy.• Comprehend the lessons of the Mexican War
Remember our Themes!
• The Navy as an Instrument of Foreign Policy• Interaction between Congress and the Navy• Interservice Relations• Technology• Leadership• Strategy and Tactics• Evolution of Naval Doctrine
Republic Of Texas
• Republic of Texas– Independent from
Mexico: 1836– Annexed by United
States: 1845– Southern border in
dispute with Mexico
Mexican-American War 1846-48
• Mexico:– Land forces
• Home turf– Insignificant Navy
• US:– Land forces
• Long way from home– Sizable Navy
Operations in Texas
• General Zachary Taylor– Operations in Texas - 1846.– 4,000 men under his command– 25 April 1846: clash on the border– 13 May War Declared
Operations in the Gulf
• Gulf Squadron dispatched• U.S. Navy establishes command of the
sea.– Blockade and capture of Mexican ports.– Marines used as a garrison force.
• Taylor wins a series of victories in Texas
1847
• Mexico not capitulating• Scott dispatched
Battle of Vera Cruz
• Participants:
Commanders:
Forces:
• US:– 10,000 USA– 2,000 USMC– Gulf Squadron
• Mexico:– Vera Cruz:
• 3,360 Men• 86 Guns
– San Juan de Ulloa• 1,030 Men• 135 Guns
Amphibious Assault
• Specially designed surf boats, 2.5K at a time
• Mexican stay in Town• 1 US death
Siege of Vera Cruz
• Patterson wants assault• Scott sets up siege• 12 Killed• 4 days
Outcome
• Tactical and Strategic US victory• Lessons learned: Cooperation
Scotts Mexico City Campaign - 1847
• General Winfield Scott marches to Mexico City.– 8,500 men– Accompanied by a regiment of Marines.– Jos– Battle of Cerro Gordo
• Marines in the Battle of Chapultepec.– “The Halls of Montezuma”
Captain Kirby Smith:
• What stupid people they are! They can do nothing and their continued defeats should convince them of it. They have lost six great battles; we have captured six hundred and eight cannon, nearly one hundred thousand stands of arms, made twenty thousand prisoners, have the greatest portion of their country and are fast advancing on their Capital which must be ours,—yet they refuse to treat [i.e., negotiate terms]!
Pacific Squadron
• Initially under Commodore John Sloat.– Monterey and San Francisco captured by joint
American forces - Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.
– Commodore Robert Stockton - Los Angeles.– California and Oregon occupied by the end of
the war.
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo - 1848
• Rio Grande established as Texas-Mexico border.
• Western United States ceded from Mexico.
• Mexico kept Baja (lower) California
Thoughts
• US v. Mexico– Proportionally stronger– Uses strategy that reflects that
• USNA– Not yet effective
• Effective Joint operations• Long range planning