7

Treaty of Death and the War of 1812

• Treaty ending the War of 1812 led to new commitments from the United States.

• The US agreed to patrol the West Coast of Africa to intercept illegal slave ships.

Southern Opposition

• Southern congressmen objected on moral grounds, believing such actions implied slavery was wrong.

• Following objections, the US quickly ceased participation in anti-slavery patrols.

Change in Slave Ship Practices

• Slave ships raised the American flag to evade British patrols.

• The British Navy began inspecting ships flying the American flag, suspecting them of ruse.

• American diplomats protested, emphasizing the inviolability of the American flag.

Agreement of 1842

• In 1842, the US and Great Britain reached an agreement:

  • The British would not stop US ships under the US flag if the US maintained a squadron in West Africa.

  • The agreement was made between US Secretary of State Daniel Webster and British Foreign Secretary Lord Ashworth.

• Captain Matthew Perry was appointed to lead the American squadron.

Ineffectiveness of the US Squadron

• Perry followed the British squadron instead of independently patrolling, leading to minimal effectiveness in capturing slave ships:

  • Reports showed British captured 596 illegal ships, while Perry captured only 19.

Mexican-American War

• The backdrop is the Texas Revolution and a border dispute across the Rio Grande and Nueces River.

• President James K. Polk aimed to provoke a war with Mexico to expand US territory.

• Clashes at the border between American and Mexican troops led to Polk seeking congressional approval for a declaration of war.

Role of the Navy in the Mexican War

• The US Navy had naval superiority during the Mexican War, implementing a blockade on Mexican ports.

• Commodore David Conner leads the blockade effective deployment of naval forces.

Amphibious Landings

• Commodore Matthew Perry conducts military landings during the blockade, notably capturing Frontera and Tabasco.

• Significant landing at Veracruz in 1847:

  • It became the largest amphibious assault until World War II.

  • Involvement of meticulous planning by General Winfield Scott to effectively coordinate army and navy efforts.

Victory and Aftermath

• Scott's forces took Mexico City in September 1847, leading to the collapse of the Mexican government.

• The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo finalized territorial acquisitions made by the US.

Development of American Naval Power

• Key period for change in naval technology and tactics, driven largely by steam-powered ships and effective leadership.

The Rise of Engineering in the Navy

• Shift from traditional sailing navy to steam-powered navy necessitated skilled engineers.

• Engineer Benjamin Franklin Isherwood became a prominent figure in transitioning the US Navy to steam power.

  • Focused on creating reliable and straightforward engine designs to facilitate naval success during wartime.

Inter-Service Rivalry

• Tensions between line officers and staff officers (engineers) led to significant rivalry within the Navy, particularly concerning the transition to steam power.

• Efforts to elevate the status and importance of engineers, led by Isherwood, faced opposition from traditional line officers, culminating in political battles in Congress for rank equivalency between engineers and line officers.

Conclusion

• The interplay of naval strategy, international relations, and evolving military technologies defined the US Navy's role during and after the Mexican-American War and led to significant changes in military engineering.