Changes

The U.S. invaded northern Mexico from two directions, in an attempt to quickly sieze lands and force an early surrender. Colonel [[Stephen Kearny]] commanded the forces that headed west from [[Kansas]] to [[Santa Fe]] (and later to California to reinforce Captain [[John C. Frémont]], who was stationed there before the war). The second front was opened by General [[Zachary Taylor]], who moved southward after repetitive victories against the defending Ejército del Norte (Army of the North).

The U.S. invaded northern Mexico from two directions, in an attempt to quickly sieze lands and force an early surrender. Colonel [[Stephen Kearny]] commanded the forces that headed west from [[Kansas]] to [[Santa Fe]] (and later to California to reinforce Captain [[John C. Frémont]], who was stationed there before the war). The second front was opened by General [[Zachary Taylor]], who moved southward after repetitive victories against the defending Ejército del Norte (Army of the North).

===California===

===California===

Colonel John C. Frémont was near Monterey, California, on his way to Oregon, when news of the war reached California. On June 15, in nearby Sonoma, a group of American settlers seized a Mexican garrison and proclaimed an independent [[California Republic]]. Frémont's forces took over the area a week later. The U.S. Navy, under command of Commodore [[Robert F. Stockton]], soon arrived and put Frémont's forces undeer their command. The combined forces had occupied [[San Francisco]], [[Monterey]], [[Sonoma]], [[Sacramento]], and [[Los Angeles]] by August. These troops held out against Californios (ethnic Mexicans living in California) until January of 1847, when the [[Treaty of Cahuenga]] was signed.

Colonel John C. Frémont was near Monterey, California, on his way to Oregon, when news of the war reached California. On June 15, in nearby Sonoma, a group of American settlers seized a Mexican garrison and proclaimed an independent [[California Republic]]. Frémont's forces took over the area a week later. The U.S. Navy, under command of Commodore [[Robert F. Stockton]], soon arrived and put Frémont's forces under their command. The combined forces had occupied [[San Francisco]], [[Monterey]], [[Sonoma]], [[Sacramento]], and [[Los Angeles]] by August. These troops held out against Californios (ethnic Mexicans living in California) until January of 1847, when the [[Treaty of Cahuenga]] was signed.

===Northern Mexico===

===Northern Mexico===

Taylor's army won two quick victories in Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma in May of 1846, allowing him to enter Northern Mexico. In September, he captured the large city of [[Monterey]] after a [[Battle of Monterey|three-day battle]]. After the battle, a temporary truce was enacted, during which the Mexican government refused to make peace. The turmoil in Mexico allowed former President [[Antonio López de Santa Anna]] to gain re-election. A fresh army of 20,000 men was trained by the new President. At the [[Battle of Buena Vista]], General Taylor opened up the route into the heart of Mexico that would allow the future capture of the capital. On March 9, 1847, in the largest amphibious landing in history up to that time, General [[Winfield Scott]] brought 12,000 men ashore at [[Veracruz]], Mexico. Polk gave Scott command of this force, largely in an attempt to quiet the public's love of Taylor. Polk, a [[Democrat]], feared that Taylor, a [[Whig]], would use his popularity as a war hero to unseat him in the next election. Scott met Santa Anna in several engagements through September, eventually reaching Mexico City. The last building to hold out against Scott was a military academy at Chapultepec Castle. Four teenaged cadets (the youngest of whom was thirteen years old) and their 20-year-old lieutenant squadron leader fought to the death to defend their city. ''El Día de Los Niños Heroes de Chapultepec'' (Day of the Boy Heroes of Chapultepec) is celebrated every September 13, the anniversary of the battle, and honors the bravery of the boys. With the fall of Mexico City, the Mexican Army surrendered.

Taylor's army won two quick victories in Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma in May of 1846, allowing him to enter Northern Mexico. In September, he captured the large city of [[Monterey]] after a [[Battle of Monterey|three-day battle]]. After the battle, a temporary truce was enacted, during which the Mexican government refused to make peace. The turmoil in Mexico allowed former President [[Antonio López de Santa Anna]] to gain re-election. A fresh army of 20,000 men was trained by the new President. At the [[Battle of Buena Vista]], General Taylor opened up the route into the heart of Mexico that would allow the future capture of the capital. On March 9, 1847, in the largest amphibious landing in history up to that time, General [[Winfield Scott]] brought 12,000 men ashore at [[Veracruz]], Mexico. Polk gave Scott command of this force, largely in an attempt to quiet the public's love of Taylor. Polk, a [[Democrat]], feared that Taylor, a [[Whig]], would use his popularity as a war hero to unseat him in the next election. Scott met Santa Anna in several engagements through September, eventually reaching Mexico City. The last building to hold out against Scott was a military academy at Chapultepec Castle. Four teenaged cadets (the youngest of whom was thirteen years old) and their 20-year-old lieutenant squadron leader fought to the death to defend their city. ''El Día de Los Niños Heroes de Chapultepec'' (Day of the Boy Heroes of Chapultepec) is celebrated every September 13, the anniversary of the battle, and honors the bravery of the boys. With the fall of Mexico City, the Mexican Army surrendered.