War+With+Mexico-dc

With no realistic chance of diplomatic solution, in January 1846 Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to lead troops across the Nueces River into territory claimed by both the U.S and Mexico. He wanted Mexican troops to fire the first shot, because then he could more easily win support for a war. On May 9th, news arrived that a Mexican force had attacked Taylor's men. Four days later, the Senate and House both voted in favor of the war. in 1846, settlers in Northern California declared California independent and renamed the region the Bear Flag Republic. Despite the loss of California, Mexico refused to surrender. Polk sent General Winfield Scott to seize Mexico City, and finally succeeded after a 6 month campaign in the Gulf Coast city of Veracruz. Scott's forces captured Mexico's capital in September 1847. Defeated on February 2 1848, Mexico's leaders signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo. Mexico gave the United States more than 500,000 square miles of territory, and in return, the U.S paid Mexico $15 million and took over $3.25 million in debts the Mexican government owed to American citizens.