Western Hemisphere 19
Date(s): August 23, 1843 to February 2, 1848
Participants: 2 United States of America/70 Mexico
Outcome (and Settlement): Victory for side A (Imposed)
Fatalities: > 999 deaths
Narrative: The Mexican-American War was fought over territories that now com-
prise the current American states of California, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
The then-Mexican hinterlands had seen an influx of American settlers and was a
target in the United States’ firm push west. Too, these were areas in which Mexico
had considerable difficulties in administering the area. In the case of Texas, the region
had already detached from Mexico and rechristened itself as independent. With the
Americans pushing strongly for territories to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
and the Mexicans intent on reclaiming Texas, conflict naturally followed.
The Americans were reticent to commit many military personnel to the endeavor
but had soon overpowered the Mexican forces nonetheless. The war was essentially
over after the Battle of Chapultepec on September 12, 1847, and Mexico City was
soon occupied. The conflict was ultimately resolved with the Treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo on February 2, 1848. The United States gained the modern-day territories
of California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming,
and Texas was soon incorporated into the United States as well. Several years later,
the southern stretches of Arizona and New Mexico were acquired in the Gadsden
Purchase. This created the boundary between Mexico and the United States as it cur-
rently stands.
MID#1551
Dispute Number: 1551
Date(s): November 1850 to January 25, 1851
Participants: 2 United States of America/70 Mexico
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side B (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: The United States entered into treaty negotiations with Mexico on tar-
iffs and security for a proposed trade route across the Tehuantepec isthmus. Mexico
objected to provisions that would put American troops on Mexican soil. The United
States threatened to send troops regardless but relented when it became clear that the
Mexican government could not abide by those terms because of domestic pressure.
Coding changes: Outcome changed from Yield by side B. Settlement changed from
None.
MID#1550
Dispute Number: 1550
Date(s): October 1, 1855 to October 6, 1855
Participants: 2 United States of America/70 Mexico
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None