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Colonel Ethan Allen Hitchcock's Observations

• Professional soldier and graduate of the Military Academy.

• Commander of the 3rd Infantry Regiment and an avid reader of Shakespeare, Chaucer, and philosophy.

• Noted the significant impact of Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the U.S. territory up to the Rocky Mountains.

Historical Context

• Mexico's Independence: Achieved in 1821 from Spain, encompassing territories including Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California, and parts of Colorado.

• Texas as the Lone Star Republic: Declared independence in 1836, later annexed by the U.S. in 1845 under President James Polk, who had expansionist ambitions.

Tensions Leading to War

• Disputed boundaries between Texas and Mexico; the Rio Grande versus the Nueces River as the recognized border.

• Polk's Orders: Directed General Taylor to move troops to the Rio Grande, viewed as a provocation towards Mexico.

• Hitchcock's Diary: Taylor altered views on Texas annexation and awaited orders, expressing concern over potential violence.

Inciting Incidents and War Outbreak

• Disappearance of Colonel Cross: His murder assumed to be by Mexican guerrillas became a catalyst for war.

• Military Response: Taylor's camp at Matamoros displayed force, leading the Mexican government to respond militarily.

• April 25 Attack: Taylor's patrol attacked, resulting in U.S. casualties. Taylor proclaimed the start of hostilities.

• Polk's Diplomatic Maneuver: Sought congressional approval for war, framing it as a defensive action despite accusations of American aggression.

Congressional Approval for War

• Political Maneuvering: Despite opposition, the Democrat-controlled Congress approved the war measures largely without thorough debate.

• Whig Party's Position: While mostly against the war, they supported acquiring California through other means.

• Anti-War Sentiments: Some Whigs and abolitionists voted against the war with strong political arguments.

Economic and Social Implications

• Calls for Expansion: Public discourse framed the war as a means to expand and civilize Mexico, tied to notions of 'manifest destiny.'

• Cultural Attitudes: Discussions about racial superiority and the perceived duty of Americans to civilize perceived 'inferior' peoples.

Opposition to the War

• Civil Disobedience: Henry David Thoreau refused to pay his poll tax in protest and wrote "Civil Disobedience."

• Clerical Opposition: Some religious leaders spoke against the war, urging moral resistance without arms.

• Public Demonstrations: Anti-war rallies were met with fervent patriotic response, showcasing a divided national sentiment.

Suffering in the War

• Soldier's Experiences: Troops faced harsh conditions, with high rates of disease and unfavorable military practices

• Allegations of Atrocities: Reports emerged of American troops committing acts of violence against Mexican civilians.

• Captain John Vinton's Account: Underlined the brutality of warfare, leading to a growing sense of disillusion among soldiers.

End of the War - Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

• Terms of Peace: Mexico ceded territories to the U.S. in exchange for $15 million; however, many Americans were left disillusioned and resentful of the war and its hardships.

• Discontent among veterans: Reports of mistreatment and a strong desire among soldiers to return home, reflecting deep-seated dissatisfaction with military life and the war's objectives.

• Legacy of the War: The Mexican-American War left a complex legacy involving issues of expansionism, morality, and national identity.