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Missions
Focus on Mexico
Shortly before Mexico's independence, the government of New Spain authorized Moses Austin to colonize the Mexican territory of Texas, with respectable Catholic families who acknowledged the authority of the King of Spain, and who would observe the liberal constitution of 1812.
In 1835 the colonists of Texas declared themselves to be independent of Mexico. Texans, who were armed by the United States of America, suffered many defeats, but after victory at the battle of San Jacinto, they were successful in driving the Mexican forces back across the Rio Grande River. Hostilities were brought to an end by the Valesco treaty of May 14, 1836.
The United States annexed Texas into the Union as a pro-slavery state. Thus, circumventing the Missouri Compromise, which fixed the numbers of free states versus pro-slavery states. Mexico, who had abolished slavery seventy-five years earlier, never acknowledged the annexation of Texas into the Union of the USA. They yet claimed it as their territory. This eventually led to war with the USA.
General Zachary Taylor invaded Mexico in 1846. By 1847, USA forces under the leadership of General Winfield Scott occupied Mexico City. On February 2, 1848, according to the terms of the Guadalupe Hildago Treaty, Mexico ceded more than half its territory to the USA (over two million square kilometers, Including: New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, and parts of Colorado and Utah).
In 1848 another 76,770 sq. miles of disputed, Mexican territory was added to the southwestern USA by the Gadsden Purchase, for a sale price of fifteen million dollars. It established the permanent border between the USA and Mexico. Also, it happened to be the best route for a southern transcontinental railroad.
Again, In 1916, Just prior to World War I, USA "Punitive Forces," under the leadership of General John J. Pershing, invaded Mexican territory as a response to the raids by Poncho Villa. They remained in Mexican Sovereign territory for more than a year, but were unsuccessful in capturing the rebel general. Aide decamp, George S. Patton was on that expedition and was decorated for volunteering to undertake dangerous recognizance gather information.
Relations with Mexico have improved steadily throughout the Twentieth Century. Now, at the beginning of the Twenty First Century, the USA's relationship with Mexico is at an all time high. It's time to Focus on Mexico!
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