The Battle For Mexico City Summary

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THE FLYING ARTILLERY IN THE BATTLE FOR MEXICO CITY
In the 1840’s, with American expansion ongoing, under the principles of Manifest Destiny, James K. Polk entered into the presidency of the United States. Polk campaigned the ideals of manifest destiny and believed that territory under Mexican control should be acquired to facilitate further expansion. The lands in question are now known as California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico, and the Mexican government was resistant and unwilling to part with them. With tensions rising between the two nations, Texas is annexed into the U.S. and Polk dispatches an envoy to Mexican President Nicolas Bravo in an attempt to purchase California and New Mexico. Nicolas Bravo was aware of his attempt …show more content…

Taylors forces clash with Mexican troops to seize the city, entering into an armistice in order to allow his army to recuperate. President Polk, fearing that Taylor was attempting to maneuver politically with the notoriety he was gaining on the battlefield, dispatched General Winfield Scott to Veracruz to become the main effort for driving toward Mexico City. A large portion of Taylors army was shifted to Scotts task force, in response to the armistice that the president did not approve of.
General Scotts arrival to Mexico kicked off the battle for Veracruz, wherein he landed with about 12,000 troops at Calldo Beach in order to assault and seize the city. The attack on Veacruz also marked the first large scale American amphibious assault. Once the city was secure, General Scott began his western movement towards Mexico City. Along the advance to Mexico City, American forces fought Mexican forces under General Santa Anna at Cerro Gordo, Churubusco, and also Molino Del Rey, the very outskirts of the …show more content…

Once the castle was secured, American troops stormed the causeway, breached the walls of Mexico City and fought through fierce resistance in order to establish a foothold within the city. By nightfall, the American troops had established positions inside the city for follow on attack. The civilian authorities decided that there had been enough damage to the city and allowed General Santa Anna to lead what was left of his army out of the city that night. Mexico City was surrendered to General Scott on September 14,

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