The rise of the Caudillos and the Mexican-American War
By: Mary Jansen and Emily Friedman. Caudillos-Strongmen
o Caudillos were conservative and liberal, representing various different groups. -These groups included: ranchers, farmers, merchants, land owners, mine owners, etc. o The support of former local soldiers of the independence armies helped the Caudillos to strive. o Their former soldiers’ status helped them to be successful and popular officers in the Wars of Independence. o While some Liberals and Conservatives were being hostile, it gave Caudillos the opportunity to rise to power. o Political, economic, and social turmoil spurred by the revolutions in Latin America also led to the rise of the Caudillos. o To maintain authority and eliminate opponents, Caudillos used their charismatic nature and sometimes employed military justice with exemption from punishment. Guatemala- Tension in Guatemala grew more as laws were targeted at the Roman Catholic church. The liberal anti-church movements were widely disagreed with by the majority of the Guatemalan population, greatly helping the popular caudillo Rafael Carrera in his rise to power in 1838. When he came to power, he promptly repealed all the laws against the established church but kept toleration of other religions. Carrera, interested in a possible education boon, urged the Guatemalan assembly to allow the Jesuits to return to Guatemala. Carrera also signed a concordat with the Vatican in Rafael Carrera 1852 to help strengthen the role of the catholic church (In power for 18 years) in Guatemala. This made Catholicism the exclusive religion and the only doctrine taught in schools. This
state affair lasted until the liberal revolution in 1871.
Creole-A person of European descent born in the New World. Mainly of Spanish decent.
Ø Creoles were virtually excluded form any poli cal administra on. Ø Only European-born individuals were deemed good enough to have poli cal say.
Ø The Creoles were treated like any other ci zens. Ø They paid taxes. Ø Were subjected to no special treatment. Ø The many wars of independence brought Creoles more equality. Ø For Example: -In Mexico, the creoles were granted complete poli cal equality with Penninsulares. -In Venezuela, the creoles were in charge of the revolu on and set up their own liberal government.
Ø Creoles o en played large military roles during their fight for independence. Ø Their leadership was counted upon by all other classes of people during their independence struggles. Ø Creoles par cipa ng in poli cs were mainly liberal. Ø Creoles used the poli cal ideas of laissez-faire economics, free trade, and democra c governments.
Ø Creoles in many La n American Countries became country leaders along with Caudillos. Ø Now being free from European rule, Creoles were able to receive equal treatment with those of pure European blood. Ø Creoles were normally in a higher social class than na ves and people of mixed blood.
THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR BEGAN: April 25, 1846--The first battle between the Mexican and U.S. Armies.
1844: President James K. Polk was a supporter of manifest destiny. Americans wanted to have land“From Sea to Shining Sea.” After the annexation of Texas to the United States in 1845, Polk wanted to establish ownership of California, New Mexico, and the land near the southern border of Texas. However, Mexico was resistant to let go of these lands, which they had already claimed as territories of their own. In efforts to try and purchase the land, John Slidell, Polk’s American diplomat was sent to Mexico City with an offer of $30 million. A er Mexico’s refusal to discuss the purchase of its territories with Slidell, Polk, in his frustra on dispatched American troops to Texas in January of 1846, with inten ons of war. By April 25, 1846, the Mexicans could no longer hold their fire. Polk had an excuse to declare war: he said, “Mexico has invaded our territory and shed American Blood upon American soil,” thus said, on May 11th, he sent the order for war. Polk’s decision to engage Mexico in war was ques oned throughout America. Many ci zens from the North believed Polk’s sole purpose for acquiring Although during the war he the land was to establish expressed no reservations about it, he would later call the war “one more slaveholding land in of the most unjust ever waged by a the south, while other stronger against a weaker nation. It was an instance of a republic ci zens including Ulysses S. following the bad example of Grant believed it was European monarchies, in not considering justice in their desire immoral to provoke Mexico to acquire additional territory.” into war in order to gain the -Ulysses S. Grant desired land. Ulysses Grant Robert Lee Americans had great success on the ba lefield with young officers such as Ulysses Grant and Robert Lee. Other American Generals, Zachary Taylor and Winfield Sco also led troops to victories. Although Mexican troops outnumbered the Americans, in September of 1847, Sco and his men were able to capture Mexico City, and put the figh ng to an end.
Winfield Sco Zachary Taylor Due to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, American victory was sealed in 1848. o Instead of Mexico paying the Americans $15 million worth of THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN debt they owed, they agreed to WAR ENDED: February 2, sign over the land of New Mexico 1848--The signing of the and California to the Americans. Treaty of Guadeloupe o These territories included: Hidalgo. California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, and parts of Arizona. o The disputed border of Texas was also given to America. o Congress approved this treaty on March 10th, 1848. 1. The United States acquired New Mexico and California.
2. President Santa Anna lost power in Mexico following the war.
3. U.S. General Zachary "Old Rough and Ready" Taylor used his fame as a war hero to win the Presidency in 1848.
4. Rela ons between the United States and Mexico remained tense for many decades to come, with several military encounters along the border.
5. For the United States, this war provided war experience to the men who would later lead the North and South armies in the Civil War. America’s newly gained territory caused controversy within the country because many were concerned what the land would be used for; as many believed it would be used for slavery and divide the north. and south further apart than they already were. h p://www.dmwv.org/mexwar/documents/polk.htm This is an ora on given by President James K. Polk on May 11, 1886, addressing the declara on of war against Mexico.
The purpose of this ora on was to declare war against Mexico. Polk was trying to express a legi mate reason to wage war upon Mexico. One of his main reasons for waging war was to further expand west. This document allows further explana on as to why the United States engaged in the Mexican- American War.
In this ora on, Polk is clearly bias to the United States. He is only focusing on the benefit this war could have on America and not focusing or even considering Mexico’s perspec ve. However, this bias does not discount the ora on’s validity because this was Polk’s exact address and not a summary of it. Berliner, Yvonne, et al. History Of the Americas. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012. Print.
Butler, Steven R. "Polk's Address to Congress." DMWV. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. www.dmwv.org/mexwar/documents/polk.htm>. "Caudillo Politics: A Structural Analysis." JSTOR. JSTOR, n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. www.latinamericanstudies.org/19-century/caudillo-politics.pdf>. "Creole (people)." Britannica Encyclopedia. Britannica, n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/142548/Creole>. "The Mexican-American War." History Guy. History Guy, n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. www.historyguy.com/mexican-american_war.html>. "The Mexican American War." PBS. WGBH, n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/grant-mexican-american-war/>.