8_The_Mexican_American_War..docx

The Mexican American War 1846-1848 1814-15 British Offense New Orleans 4th Battle of New Orleans 8 Jan 1815 Arthur Wellesley: 1st Duke of Wellington War outline of study Causes? Brits taking American settlers from their ships How armed forces raised? Regulars Bulk of forces were volunteers and local militia Military and diplomatic course Limited war War aims Invade Canada while Brits are distracted and they will get out of the Mississippi River valley Military strategy and tactics (conduct of war) Technology Navy On the lakes between Canada Major phases, campaigns, and diplomatic events Termination and casualties (military and civilian) Domestic impact: How was war financed? Social costs? Opposition? Postwar impact: Nature of the Peace Mr. Madison?s war New England vs. the South Between the wars War of 1812 aftermath US army reduced to under 13k Expansible army concept 1820 Congress rejected by officer corps retained as goal US army officer professionalism USMA West Point Napoleonic warfare Mechanization Steam engine Indian removal 1818-1845 Seminole Wars (Indian Removal Act of 1830) Trail of Tears & Cherokees 1820-1846 Volunteer Militia Rise of local volunteer militia companies First use of term National Guard Provided pool of volunteers for federal service Demise of enrolled militia Mexican American War 1846-1848 Opposition Mexican War Abolitionists and pacifists Historic peace churches Whigs and some democrats (militarism) Unjust war; imperial aggression Senior army officers questioned legality Henry David Thoreau On Civil Disobedience 1848 No conscription Polk didn?t silence critics Short war and successful in the short term