North America 1846: Outbreak of the Mexican–American War
13 May 1846
13 May 1846
Outbreak of the Mexican–American War
2 Oct 1843 Oregon Dispute
29 Dec 1845 Annexation of Texas
13 May 1846 Outbreak of the Mexican–American War
15 Jun 1846 Oregon Treaty
18 Aug 1846 Conquest of California & New Mexico
19 Nov 1846 Northern Mexican Theater
9 Mar 1847 Siege of Veracruz
14 Sep 1847 Battle for Mexico City
2 Feb 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
11 Feb 1849 California Gold Rush
9 Sep 1850 Compromise of 1850
14 Oct 1852 Opening up the West
30 Dec 1853 Gadsden Purchase
6 Dec 1855 Bleeding Kansas
2 Apr 1857 Filibuster War
29 Sep 1858 Mexican Reform War
18 Oct 1859 Raid on Harpers Ferry
With the annexation of Texas, the US inherited that state's boundary dispute with Mexico. In a bid to settle the issue, as well as purchase the Mexican territories of Alta California and New Mexico, President Polk offered to pay $25 million and forgive damages caused to US citizens in Mexico since independence. The Mexican government refused, prompting Polk to order troops to occupy the disputed land north of the Rio Grande. When Mexico responded by attacking this Army of Occupation, the US declared war.
