Mexico Ascendant: The Tale of a Failed Texan Revolution

[theman7777]

1: The Battle of San Jacinto

The Battle of San Jacinto was fought on April 21, 1836 and was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. Led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna's, the Mexican Army engaged and defeated the Texian army of General Sam Houston. Their army arrived the site of the battle a few hours before General Santa Anna’s army of 700, making camp in a wooded area along the bank of the Bayou, despite the fact that it left them no room for retreat. Heeding the concerns of several of his officers, Santa Anna had his men camp in the nearby woods. Over the course of the night, several defensive positions were prepared, but the cover of the wood gave Santa Anna confidence in his men’s ability to defend, and he allowed them much needed rest.

After several skirmishes between scouts from both armies, Martin Perfecto de Cos’ men, numbering 540, arrived at 9:00 AM and joined with Santa Anna’s men, now outnumbering the Texians. However, the men were tired and hungry from a day of marching, and Santa Anna allowed them rest, keeping his original force ready for conflict. Later that day, at 4:00 PM, Mexican scouts sighted the Texian troops advancing through the tall grass that covered the nearby flatlands. Upon receiving the news 15 minutes later, the Mexican forces prepared for battle, assuming their defensive positions at the edge of the woods. As soon as the Texian forces were within range, Santa Anna’s men opened fire on the enemy. The battle lasted slightly over half an hour, with the Texian forces taking heavy losses before attempting to retreat. However, Mexican forces encircled many of the Texians, capturing and killing many.

Sam Houston, one of the rebellion’s main leaders and generals was captured while retreating on foot. His capture and later execution largely symbolized the end of the rebellion. The Mexicans suffered casualties too, losing General Manuel Fernandez Castrillon, a close friend of General Santa Anna. Following the Mexican decisive victory at San Jacinto, the rebellion became largely based around guerrilla warfare, even that collapsed in the following months, however.

 

[theman7777]

This update is a bit shorter, but I think it is necessary to complete the part about the rebellion. After this I will go deeper into the political changes that the Mexican victory causes within Mexico in the following years.

2: The End of a Revolution

The Texas Revolution was a failed attempt by American colonists in the Mexican department of Coahuila y Tejas to gain independence. The Revolution is largely considered to have ended when Sam Houston was captured at the battle of San Jacinto, however, guerilla warfare continued for several months after his defeat. Ultimately, many rebels and their leaders were either captured and executed, or escaped into the neighboring United States. This harsh policy was pursued by Mexican leader and General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. While it drew criticism at the time by the US, in later years it was regarded as successful in suppressing further resistance.

Mexico, Reunified​

 

[theman7777]

3: Victorious Return, and Spanish Recognition

Following the defeat of the Texan rebels, General Santa Anna returned to Mexico City a conquering hero. Since the establishment of the Centralist Republic of Mexico in October 1835, the newly reformed country had experienced a Rebellion in Zacatecas, and then the Texas Revolution. However, the restoration of Mexican control over Tejas granted the republic much more legitimacy, and strengthened the Mexican army’s control over the northeast part of the country. The news of the Texan defeat sparked a national holiday, and this increase in the legitimacy is sometimes attributed to Spain’s Recognition of their errant colony. However, some historians claim that the Spanish planned to recognize Mexico regardless of their victory against the Texians. Nonetheless, the Mexican victory helped stabilize the turbulent republic, and sent a message to other rebels and secessionists.

General Santa Anna, upon returning to Mexico City, assumed the position of president, a position he had held before his campaign in Tejas. This return to his position was protested by few, as Santa Anna was regarded by many as a national hero. With the position of Santa Anna as a dictator backed by the military cemented by his victory in Tejas, Santa Anna set to work continuing his centralization reforms. During this period of consolidating government control there were several short-lived rebellions throughout the republic, each decreasing in severity. While many opposed the rule of the increasingly powerful President Santa Anna, his repeated defeats of rebels silenced those who disagreed with his methods. Despite the dictatorial nature of his rule, the lives of many of Mexico’s citizens improved. The reforms brought on in 1835 by Santa Anna threw the country into chaos, and while the defeat of the rebels in Zacatecas and Tejas helped deter more organized attempts at resistance, it took much longer to purge the countryside of lower level rebels and banditos. During the most unstable of these times, the government often could not enforce authority in these areas, and rule of law broke down.

As the political situation stabilized around Santa Anna’s rule, governmental authority slowly returned to these areas, and the economy improved as a result. Santa Anna focused on first restoring order, then economic development. His administration encouraged immigration to the outermost territories of the republic, believing that it would help resolve border conflicts with the US and the various native tribes. However, he was much more careful about allowing Americans to colonize these areas, fearing a repeat of the Texas Revolution. With the return of government control to these areas, things calmed down, and the Mexican economy began to grow again, and even started to receive some immigrants from Europe. As the natural resource wealth of the nation became increasingly clear, the government was able to spend more on the army, and infrastructure. Despite these improvements, Mexico still stood on shaky legs, and looked fearfully towards their larger, stronger, richer neighbor, the USA.

Rebellions in Mexico (Maroon) during the time period detailed. None succeeded.​

 

[theman7777]

4: Stabilizing the Frontier

While the interior of the country had stabilized from the tumultuous days following the centralist republic’s establishment, the external parts of Mexico remained turbulent. This turbulence was largely caused by the numerous raids by Native Americans, namely the Comanche and Apache, who inhabited some of those territories. This made settlement of these lands hard, and limited migration to these areas, something the central government desired. But something the Mexican Government was even more worried about was that their lack of control over these territories could potentially draw unwelcome attention from the US. President Santa Anna believed that a key part in deterring the Americans from any encroachments into Mexican territory was to secure the frontier, and firmly establish the border between the two countries. As the treasury finally began to grow, albeit rather slowly, Santa Anna began to feel comfortable leading a military expedition against the insurgent Natives. After being away from battle for several years, he was eager to quench his thirst for combat, as well as to train his growing professional army.

The campaign began in earnest in 1839, and was characterized by brutal fighting, and heavy losses on the Mexican side. While the Mexican forces made progress against the native americans, their superior knowledge of the battlefield ensured that every Mexican victory would be somewhat pyrrhic, and that every defeat would be devastating. Despite this, Santa Anna urged his men on, and his heroic reputation helped rally his troops.

After several major victories against the Comanches and Apaches, Santa Anna organized a meeting with their leaders in 1841. Anxious to stabilize the situation on the frontier, and to protect Mexican settlers from raids, Santa Anna proposed that a new unorganized territory be created out of the Nuevo Mexico territory, called Comancheria. The territory would have clearly defined borders that the Mexican settlers wouldn’t cross, but the tribes also couldn’t cross. In return, the natives would cease their conflict with the settlers, and help defend the border from potential American incursions. After several days of negotiation, both sides agreed to the deal.

The Mexican Indian wars would continue for the better part of the 1840s, with ultimately many tribes in the surrounding areas being relocated, either forcibly or willingly, into the Comancheria territory. However, Santa Anna saw his conclusion of the Comanche and Apache wars as a sign that his work on the frontier was done, and returned to Mexico City a conquering hero for the second time in 10 years.

 

[theman7777]

5: Gold Rush

While Mexico had experienced great growth and stabilization during the previous years, it remained a largely impoverished nation. Wealth was concentrated among a few elites, but even the national treasury remained lacking, although better than it had once been. Santa Anna’s regime pursued a policy of slow growth, stabilization, and avoidance of conflict with the United States. However, a single unpredicted event would throw a wrench into all these plans.

The discovery of gold in California is largely credited to one man, Carlos Arboleda, a former soldier who had served alongside General Santa Anna during the suppression of the Texas Revolution. He discovered the shiny metal while building a homestead for him and his family near the banks of the Rio de Los Americanos. The date was June 12, 1844. He quickly told residents of a nearby town, and recruited several locals to help him search for more. Soon, the news spread across Mexico, and thousands rushed to Alto California. President Santa Anna was at first pleased by this discovery, but began to become dismayed. He knew that this would only draw further unwelcome attention from the government of the USA. To prevent any attempts to seize California, Santa Anna created further laws preventing Americans from settling in the territory of Alto California. This hampered immigration, but plenty of immigrants from Latin America, Europe, and Asia still swarmed into Alto California.

As the population of the territory swelled, the Mexican government caved to increased demands for statehood. Santa Anna saw this as a way to further cement Mexican claims to the territory, amid several recent border incursions from US forces. The coastal parts of Alto California would be divided, with new settlements near the southern coast being granted to Baja California, and the the northern areas being granted statehood as Alto California. The former eastern territories of Alto California became the Colorado Territory (Territorio de Colorado) named after the river that extends through much of the land.

While the United States seemed poised to begin a war with Mexico at any moment, Santa Anna began serious defensive measures. With the Mexican treasury vastly swollen by the California gold rush, the President made sure that much of these funds were directed into strengthening the army. Forces guarding the border were greatly increased, and several secret agreements with the United Kingdom supplied Mexican troops with state-of-the-art equipment. Some of which ended up in the hands of the Comanches, an ally of increasing value to the Mexican government.

Green indicates states, Grey indicates territories​

 

[theman7777]

Alright guys, hope you enjoy this update, it's the longest yet (I think), and I spent quite a while on some of the graphics!

6: The Oregon War

When James K. Polk became president of the United States, he outlined several goals of his administration. They were as follows: reestablish the independent treasury system, reduce tariffs, acquire some or all of Oregon Country, and acquire California and New Mexico from Mexico. Now, the foreign policy objectives pursued an expansion of American territory, at the expense of other nations. Polk initially focused on the northern territories of Mexico. However, his probing incursions into Mexican lands were defeated, and having his troops on the border with the Comancheria Territory subjected them to devastating raids from its inhabitants. Compounding this, the failure of the Texas revolution and subsequent depopulation of Americans from Mexican lands hampered Polk’s attempts to find a causus belli to seize the territories. He eventually refocused his policy, content to face such challenges later, or leave them to the next administration.

The source of this refocus was that of the Oregon Territory, one of the goals Polk sought out when he took office. With war with Mexico out of the picture (for the moment), Polk focused on the other important Pacific territory. Over the first year or so of his presidency, he rapidly increased the amount of American troops in the Oregon Territory. This, combined with a breakdown in negotiations with the British, became a recipe for disaster. In the early morning of July 14, 1846, the sparks finally flew. A group of American troops claimed they had been ambushed by Brits, and that they had killed 11 American soldiers. The Brits claimed they had been ambushed by Americans, and taken similar losses (in later years, the British account was proven accurate). The next day is the day largely recognized that the Oregon War began.

For the second time in 50 years, the United States and Great Britain were at war. The United States promptly took over the British forts and towns below the 49th parallel. Initially the US scored several major victories, and despite British incursions into Maine and other more sparsely populated areas of the border the public’s opinion was firmly in favor of the war. The United States began a large offensive past the 49th parallel, seeking to take several important forts in the region. The advance was halted by large numbers of British reinforcements, and eventually ended in disaster. In the wake of the advance’s collapse, American forces in the territory began a full retreat. The UK, now with more troops in the field, won victory after victory against the demoralized American troops.

The changing frontlines of the conflict​

Following the end of most resistance against the British in the area, the British army occupied most of the territory. That, combined with British advances in Maine and on the frontier, forced the United States to sue for peace. Ultimately, the Americans had to surrender the entire Oregon territory to the British, as well as renounce the earlier Webster-Ashburton treaty, ceding parts of Maine and the Wisconsin territory to the UK. The Americans also were forced to pay monetary reparations, and reduce their army size for a limited time.

The war severely weakened the USA, crushing their dreams of a presence in the Pacific Ocean, and clarifying that the British were the dominant power in North America. The war also ensured that the US would be unable to go to war for the following few years, much to the pleasure of the Mexican government. However, they were not completely safe, as many among the Santa Anna Regime’s administration expressed fear that this would only speed up a war with the US, now that they had few other routes for expansion.

United States and territories after the war​

 

[theman7777]

Unfortunately, I got so caught up in the stuff about the USA that I didn't have time for Mexico. I promise tomorrow I will churn out 1-2 posts that focus primarily on Mexico (maybe 1 for Mexico, 1 for somewhere else).

7: Caribbean Refocus

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Hispaniola was the home of a long, turbulent history. In the late 1840s it was undergoing a war between Haitian forces, and forces of the independence-seeking Dominicans. It was brutal, with neither side gaining a clear advantage, and being incredibly costly. As the conflict drew on, it further weakened the already weak Haitian economy, and took the lives of many of Haiti’s best and brightest. It was this weakened state that piqued the interest of the United States.

It was under the Fillmore administration that the United States took a greater interest in the Caribbean. The remaining territories in the west were becoming increasingly abolitionist, and the voices of southern politicians cried louder and louder for more slave states. This expansion of slave states was actually not an objective of President Fillmore, who sought compromise, however he had no choice but to listen to the demands of many of his people. The secondary shift in American policy abroad was geared towards Liberia. Despite financial issues, the colony managed to stay afloat economically, and by 1850 it received increasing support from the US government. This was largely due to the growing belief from some abolitionists and slaveholders that freed slaves should relocate to Liberia. Geopolitically it became more important to the American government due to it being an increasingly valuable location to project influence in the Atlantic.

It was in the wake of this refocus that the United States government reached out to Spain about Cuba and other Caribbean colonies. The United States wished to buy these lands for a large sum of money. Normally, Spain wouldn’t entertain such drastic measures, but it was experiencing large economic downturn at home as a result of the Carlist Wars. On top of this, a new rebellion had sprung up in Cuba, and Spain, while somewhat sure they could suppress it, was unwilling to dedicate the manpower necessary. All of these factors combined to allow the United States to purchase the Spanish Caribbean. Cuba was admitted into the Union as a slave state not too long after.

However, the US’ expansion into the Caribbean wasn’t quite complete. As mentioned previously, Haiti too was on the United States’ agenda for expansion in the Caribbean. Many within the American government feared, however, that taking the island would be easier said than done, referencing the French attempts to do so. Despite these voices, the plan to seize the island moved forward, citing that the Haitian economy, military, and infrastructure were so poor that it would be a nonissue. The plan called for unrelenting force, with multiple large naval landings all over the island, and a brutal occupation to eliminate guerrilla fighters from the countryside.

As the operation began, the United States encountered fierce resistance as they attempted to secure ports to resupply their troops. Ultimately, the occupation force had to be doubled from the original plans. As the coastline slowly fell from constant, costly American assaults, the war moved inland, where the Haitian army inflicted huge casualties against their American opponents. This caused some in Washington to call for an end to the war, however the American public remained firmly in favor of the war, desiring a grand victory to counterbalance their losses to the British. The Haitian government collapsed after most major cities were taken by the US, and the war moved to the countryside as expected. The brutal actions by the American occupation forces during this period remain a dark period on American history, although it wasn’t regarded as such at the time. Eventually, American forces managed to drive most of the guerrillas out of hiding, and pacified the majority of the country. However, in the most remote areas, the guerrilla war never ended, with attacks still taking place years after the end of the war.

Varying territorial control during the Haitian War​

The next step of the conquest was arguably equally brutal, as the United States attempted to recreate the plantation economy that made Haiti France’s most profitable colony years before. Some historians include this period as part of the military occupation, because the tactics employed were quite similar and the whole operation was run by the U.S. Army. By late 1853, Haiti was admitted into the Union as the state of Hispaniola, a slave state, however it still bears the scars of the brutal occupation to this day. With southern politicians and elite pacified for the moment, the US returned to relative peace, knowing that the issue of slavery wouldn’t flare up in years immediately following.

The United States and territories following the statehood of Hispaniola​

 

[theman7777]

8: The Land of Opportunity

With the California Gold Rush still going strong during the period of US conquest in the Caribbean, immigrants continued to flow into Mexico. Despite the fact that Americans were restricted to immigrate to most areas of Mexico, the population in the outermost areas of the country began to grow quickly. This was largely due to the refusal of the Mexican government to restrict immigration from foreign countries (with the exception of the US). Their reasoning was that a larger population was worth the potentially negative side effects. However, the Santa Anna regime was closely tied to the Catholic Church, and the government tried to convert new immigrants whenever possible. While the Chinese immigrants were quickly establishing themselves as a growing group in the country, a new group was arriving, seeking a better life.

They were refugees from the Haitian war, and the US occupation of Cuba. Mexico’s policy of accepting most people was beginning to distinguish them from the United States, no matter the ulterior motives the regime might have for doing so. Along with a large growth in population, Mexico also saw an increasing in living standards during this period, and a reformation of the army. As Mexico and the United Kingdom drew closer together in the aftermath of the Oregon War, it found itself benefiting economically from their new relationship. The first Mexican railways began construction during this period, built by Chinese immigrants and partially funded by the British government and corporations.

The other side effect of this relationship was the strengthening of the Mexican army. As well as adopting new weapons and strategies, they began to officially integrate Comanche and Apache warriors into their army, in their own separate divisions. The army leadership saw their skill as an advantage in any against the US. Politically, the United Kingdom and Mexico were not exactly allies, nor did the British guarantee the independence of Mexico, however it was a period of a greatly beneficial relationship and high relations between the two countries. While the US entered the mid 1850s as somewhat of an international pariah, after their brutal actions in the Haitian War came to light in many European news sources, Mexico appeared a shining beacon of hope, one of increasing prosperity and strength. However, the peace would not last for long.

Political situation in North America circa 1855​

 

[theman7777]

9: Mini Update - The Crimean War

The Crimean war was fought between France, Britain, and the Ottoman Empire against the Russian Empire from 1853-1856. It was a brutal conflict with huge losses on both sides. While most of the fighting happened in Europe, terms of the history of the Americas it is also relevant as the time which the British Empire acquired Alaska. Originally it was not a goal for the war, but due to some troops still remaining in British Columbia in the aftermath of the Oregon War, it was decided that it should be seized while the chance was available. British troops invading encountered little resistance, and quickly pacified the region. Following the end of the war, it was ceded to Britain, and incorporated into the larger British administration in the region.

 

[theman7777]

10: The Mexican-American War - Part 1

With the situation in the US internally stabilized following their new territorial acquisitions, and the army having recovered mostly from the Oregon war and the guerrilla warfare in Hispaniola, the US returned its attention to Mexico. The United States’ distractions since end of the Texas Revolution had worked very much in favor of Mexico, the Californias and other northern territories were much more heavily settled, and the resolution of most of the wars with native tribes in the region had strengthened the position of settlers in the area. Instead of having a demoralized and impoverished population subject to constant native raids, the farmers and homesteaders had found themselves benefiting from the decision to move northwards, and their ranks swelled quickly. By 1858 Mexico’s population stood around 12 million, compared to 25 million of the neighboring United States.

Despite this disadvantage, the rough terrain of the Territory of Colorado would prove hard to conquer, and it was a known fact that the inhabitants of the Comancheria Territory would defend their land to the death. These factors were taken into account by the Mexican commanders and Generals while planning a defense of these lands. This was needed because in the past few months the US had been preparing for war. The Buchanan administration had caused a dispute over the border of Coahuila y Tejas and their own land, and it was quickly escalating, largely because the US didn’t care to defuse the crisis. Across the country young men joined the army, ready to defend their homeland. Defensive fortifications were hastily constructed along crucial sites along the border, and troops were brought up to the border with the US.

The American strategy hinged on rapidly breaking through Mexican lines in Texas, for it was the main flat area where the countries bordered. They planned to cut through Texas into the Mexican heartland, taking Mexico City. The contingency plan, should the offensive in Texas stall, depended on an American surge through Comancheria, and into the Rocky Mountain Range. This was designed to force Mexico to spread out their numerically inferior forces, allowing an easier breakthrough. However, the American plans today are considered to be overconfident, and failed to recognize that the Mexican troops on average were better trained, most of the American forces were mobilized conscripts. They also greatly underestimated the Mexican morale and equipment, thinking that the war would be barely a fight, with the US winning handedly.

Even though the US entered the Mexican-American war overconfident, they still held the numerically superior forces, and despite some British armaments and economic support Mexico was still economically inferior to the US, who had more experience fighting from their wars with the British and the Haitians. As the fighting began all along the border, it was clear: no matter the victor, this war would decide the future of North America.

 

[theman7777]

11: The Mexican-American War - Part 2

The US offensives into Texas began with major successes. Despite putting up a tough resistance, Mexican border guards collapsed under the weight of the US armed forces. Slowly but surely, American troops pushed deeper into Texas, and to the Mexican command the situation seemed dire. They also fell into the trap the US generals had planned, they diverted many men from the front in Colorado to try and halt the American advance in Texas. All was not lost, however. While the US had won the majority of the battles, most battles were costly, and the Mexicans still won occasionally.

The US morale was high, both at home and on the front. However, this slowly began to degrade. They had planned to enter Texas as conquering heroes, cheered on by the same men who lost the Texas Revolution, however they failed to take into account the Mexicanization of the province. Very few of the original Texian settlers remained, and the American troops were subject to impassioned resistance from the residents of the territory they occupied. This resistance eventually hampered American supply lines, and tied down American manpower fighting partisans. This weakened US political resolve for further conquest, knowing that further expansion west would be hard-fought against an angry populace.

The US offensive into Texas culminated in the Battle of Bexar, an urban battle fought in the city of San Antonio de Bexar. The city was one of the new communities developing due to increased drive to settle the northern areas of Mexico. By the time of the battle, it had a population of around 20 thousand. This battle was different from others earlier in the war, as it was fought mainly on urban terrain, giving an increased advantage to the defender. The Mexican command recognized this, and sought to fortify the city into a stronghold, seeking to create a victory that would stall the American offensive. However, so did the US commanders, who also sought to make the battle the one that would crush the Mexican defenders and allow a new offensives that would culminate in a drive to Mexico City.

Approximate frontlines of the conflict at the start of the Battle of Bexar​

The battle began on the morning of November 1st, about 2 months into the war. The US attackers, numbering 35,000 charged the Mexican defenses. Initially, Mexican troops numbered only 20,000, but over the course of the battle received approximately 30,000 in reinforcements, compared to 5,000 reinforcements on the US side. The battle is known for the brutal fighting, as Mexican troops utilized buildings and barricades to slow US troops, who faced mounting casualties. Both sides suffered large casualties, and for the first two days of the three-day battle the outcome was unclear. Ultimately, however, the Mexicans won the day, achieving their first major victory of the war. Despite this setback, the war was still going favorably for the United States, and many believed that the US contingency plan would deliver the war-ending blow.

 

[theman7777]

12: The Mexican-American War - Part 3

The US contingency plan was, of course, a drive into Comancheria, and a conquest of the Colorado Territory. While US commanders had warned of attacking in the mountains, it had been determined that Mexican troops couldn’t stay well supplied in the areas, and wouldn’t be able to put up a significant fight. Secondly, the core of the plan depended on a massive victory in Comancheria, which would leave the Mexican army in the area broken and unable to resist.

The American attack began with mixed results. As the US army tried to punch into Comancheria, it suffered many attacks by the Comanche and Apache who allied with Mexico. The deeper the US forces drove into the territory, the harsher the attacks became. The attacks were quick and bloody, and the nimble native forces took much fewer casualties than their opponents. Their lightning attacks, alongside more conventional ones from their Mexican allies, slowly whittled the US forces down.

This strategy caused a divide among the American command, some of which wanted to continue the push, while others wanted to redirect their forces into a new offensive into Texas. Ultimately the voices of those who sought to continue the offensive prevailed, and US forces pushed deeper into Comanche territory.

This attack climaxed when US forces were confronted by a full force of Mexican and Comanche troops. Now, at the start of the offensive the US troops would have easily swept aside an opponent of this size, however both the American supply chain and troops were exhausted by constant raids by the native forces, and they had suffered many casualties, reducing their numbers greatly. The battle started out looking like an US victory, but Apaches and Comanches on horseback flanked the American forces, and eventually prevailed in the battle, and preventing most of the US troops from retreating.

The frontlines of the war​

Following this crushing defeat, the US lines in Comancheria collapsed, and several new Mexican offensives pushed back the Americans in Texas. This forced the US and Mexico to seek a ceasefire, and then peace. Ultimately, the US simply had to acknowledge the territorial boundaries of Mexico, and no territorial changes took place. However, Mexico was clearly the winner, having defeating a nation with superior population and industrial might. One of the major long term repercussions of the war was the United Kingdom guaranteeing the independence and territorial integrity of Mexico, further preventing US expansion.

 

[theman7777]

Instead of one update, today I'm releasing two mini-updates due to the difference in subject matter between the two.

13: Mini Update - The Mormon Exodus

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Starting in the 1840s, the Mexican government did begrudgingly allow one American group to settle in their northernmost lands. They did this because they knew that they were not loyal to the US, and the US didn’t like them particularly much either. They were the Mormons, a group who began an exodus to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. While the Mexican government resented them almost as much as the United States, they were allowed to stay, left to their own devices. They were allowed to do this due to the sparse population in the particular region of the Colorado territory they chose to settle.

While most of the Mormon pioneers traveled through the Rocky Mountains, another group of 238 settlers set sail from New York harbor. They voyaged for 6 months till they reached Mexican California, having lost 10 passengers during the journey. Most of these settlers remained in San Francisco, where they docked, and formed the city’s Mormon district. Others dissipated around California, forming new settlements out of the wilderness. A smaller group eventually journeyed to the Salt Lake Valley, where they met up with the majority of the settlers. Away from most civilization, a large city eventually grew up around the valley and surrounding areas.

 

[theman7777]

14: Mini Update - Things Fall Apart

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In Mexico the victory against the United States was celebrated, but also mourned. The short conflict had taken many lives, a scar that would take a long time to heal. Meanwhile, the Santa Anna regime continued to develop the country. More factories and railroads were opened, as the government sought to build an industry comparable to the United States. The regime’s goal was to be on-par with the US by 1910, in regards to population, military, and industry. The government continued to subsidize foreign immigration to Mexico, and focused on strengthening ties with the British Empire following their guarantee of Mexican independence.

In the United States, the defeat sent the country into a downwards spiral. The country hobbled to the presidential election of 1860, an election won handily by Abraham Lincoln. Despite his large margin of victory, this was largely because the hate towards the Democratic party for losing both the Oregon War and the Mexican-American war. In the southern states, he won few votes, and several new third parties sprung up just so Southerners could avoid voting for Lincoln or a Democrat. While many historians acknowledge that Lincoln tried his best to keep the nation together, it was too late to make much of a difference. The US armies were shattered, and the economy was in tatters. On December 20th 1860 South Carolina seceded from the United States, and was followed by several other slave states. On February 8th, the Confederate States of America was formed, and was joined by most southern states following the outbreak of hostilities between the CSA and the USA.

1860 Electoral Map​

 

[theman7777]

15: The American Civil War

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The American Civil war was a conflict fought between the United States of America and the Confederate States of America, as well as the Five Civilized Tribes. Following the creation of the Confederacy, the Five Civilized tribes within Indian Territory declared independence and joined the war on the side of the Confederates. This is largely attributed to the success of the Comanches in fighting the US, an action which inspired the tribes. Indian Territory, while once a disputed territory like Puerto Rico, quickly fell to combined forces from the tribes and Confederate troops.

On the broader front along the USA-CSA border, the Americans made advances into Virginia and Tennessee, while Confederate troops crossed into Missouri. The war was known for its heavy casualties, and modern weapons. The US retook northern parts of the Indian Territory, including parts of the Cherokee Nation. Over time, the Confederate offensive ground to a halt in Missouri, and collapsed. However, the US was becoming weary of the war, and while holding more territory, it’s army had suffered many defeats.

In Virginia, the US occupied part of the state separated as West Virginia, a decision made by US President Abraham Lincoln to reassure his people that the war was being won. However, almost as if in reaction to this, Confederate general Robert E. Lee began a huge offensive into Maryland. His army crushed their American counterparts, and moved northwards, and encircled the US capital of Washington D.C.

This Confederate offensive northward is largely considered to be the finishing blow of the war. Following the capture of Washington D.C., and the continued northern offensive of General Robert E. Lee’s army, the United States was too tired to continue the conflict. They lacked monetary resources to continue the war, and the economic downturn from their defeat in the Mexican-American war hampered production of wartime goods. In addition to this, the US was not as committed to the conflict as the Confederacy, due to the weariness of the population due to years of war. Eventually, these factors caused the US to sit down for peace talks with the CSA. It was decided that the parallel 36°30′ north would become the border between the United States and the Confederate States, with the addition of Virginia. However, this was not the end of war for the Confederacy.

Following the peace with the US, the Confederates turned on their native allies, declaring war on the 5 newly independent republics. Initially, forces loyal to the Five Civilized Tribes captured all of the former Indian Territory, and even made incursions into Arkansas, but were eventually driven back by Confederate troops and crushed. Following the dismantlement of Indian Territory, the land was admitted as the Confederate state of Sequoyah. As for the other disputed territory, Puerto Rico, it was taken by Confederate Marines towards the end of the war.

The changing frontlines of the conflict, disputed territories shown in yellow

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[theman7777]

16: Mexican Expansion

With the United States crippled in the east, Mexico embarked on it’s own period of conquest and expansion. The Central American nations had once been part of the Empire of Mexico, but had long since drawn away. This would change. The Santa Anna regime had been drafting up plans for a conquest of Central America for years, but their new lack of a threat from the US and the support of the UK finally gave them this opportunity.

The campaign was lead by Santa Anna personally, and achieved huge success, both militarily and diplomatically. The now well-trained Mexican army made short work of the various conscripts and militias that the Central American governments threw against them, and their claim that these areas were core parts of Mexico was accepted by most European Powers. This included Great Britain, who sold Mexico Belize and the Mosquito coast.

The Campaign, which went relatively smoothly, was not without its challenges. The harsh terrain of Central America and the Malaria that accompanied it caused more casualties for the Mexican forces than actual combat. And once the Mexican government entered Panama, it faced much harsher resistance from the Colombian forces. The Colombians had a much larger army, and could bring to bear more resources against the Mexicans. It was during this war that Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna fell ill.

It was during the final stages of the campaign against Colombia, and Santa Anna was leading men against some Colombian forces in the jungle. The battle was an easy victory, but Santa Anna was hit by a bullet during the battle, and returned to camp to recover and receive treatment. Unfortunately, it was during this time that he caught Malaria. He returned to Mexico City, where his condition worsened. While he was bedridden in Mexico City, peace was concluded between Colombia and Mexico, giving Mexico Panama. Shortly after this, Santa Anna died from complications from his wound and Malaria.

The day he died became a national day of mourning. The man who had lead Mexico for so many years was dead. Despite this, the future of Mexico looked bright. In Santa Anna’s final days, he helped set the stage for the first presidential elections in Mexico. In the months that followed, the two major candidates became clear: Santa Anna’s planned successor, Jose Mariano Salas for the Conservative Party, and Jose Joaquin de Herrera for the Moderate Party. The election of 1865 was a decisive win for Salas due to the popularity of Santa Anna, however the Moderate Party swept the recently conquered provinces in Central America, largely due to the resentment they held for Santa Anna. And thus, democracy bloomed in Mexico.

Grey indicates territories​

 

[theman7777]

Just a short post today, a preview of things to come. I think I'll make two posts tomorrow, one short one about Mexico and another about Europe (who knows, I may throw in a bit about France meddling in the New World).

17: American Liberia

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Liberia was first founded by the American Colonization Society in 1822, with the intention of resettling freed American blacks to Africa. While it suffered from financial difficulties in the late 1840s, the US government bailed it out and eventually took direct control over it. Over time the number of freed blacks in the colonies blacks rapidly increased, especially after the end of the American Civil War. Many Northerners used the much reduced black population as a scapegoat for the Civil War, due to the fact that that one of the main causes of the war was slavery. As a result the colony rapidly grew. Eventually it was expanded in the late 1860s, to include the African Kingdom of Loango, renamed the Territory of Washington.

Map showing American possessions in Africa (circa. 1870)​

 

[theman7777]

18: Mexican Election of 1870

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The reign of Jose Mariano Salas was largely uneventful. His policies mirrored that of his predecessor, Santa Anna, and he avoided foreign entanglements. However, he continued to begrudgingly democratize the country, to the extent that in the following election the Liberal party was allowed to participate. Salas decided not to run for reelection, citing health concerns, so Romulo Diaz de la Vega became the nominee of the Conservative Party. De Herrera decided to run again for the Moderate Party, despite his advanced old age, and Benito Juarez became the candidate for the Liberal Party. While the Conservative Party emerged from the election triumphant, still running on Santa Anna’s popularity, it didn’t win with the same margins as before, taking only 49 percent of the vote.

 

[theman7777]

Definitely the longest update yet, sorry for the wait guys.

19: France in Europe

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In 1861 the Empire of France sent troops to the newly-founded Kingdom of Araucanía and Patagonia. This was part of French Emperor Napoleon III’s initiative to establish an Empire in the Americas. The South American state began with little semblance of control over the territories it claimed, a loose confederation of Mapuche tribes uniting behind Orélie-Antoine de Tounens, a French lawyer. It was Orélie-Antoine de Tounens’ nationality that attracted the attention of Napoleon III.

The intervention began with shipments of money and weapons to prop up the Mapuche forces resisting Chilean and Argentinian expansion. However, it became clear that it more would be needed, Napoleon III authorized deployment of troops in Patagonia. These reinforcements repeatedly crushed Chilean and Argentinian attempts to advance further southward. This allowed Araucanía and Patagonia to conquer the southernmost territories of Chile, and take Argentinian territories it had already claimed. Following the end of the conflict, the Kingdom of Araucanía and Patagonia became a French client state.

Borders of the new Kingdom​

The second phase of France’s expansion in Latin America was in the Empire of Brazil. Seeking a counterbalance to France’s new enemies in Chile and Argentina, France began a diplomatic offensive in Brazil. They brought the Empire into their sphere of influence through a series of economic agreements and royal marriages, and formed a strong alliance. These successes in South America as well as other parts of the world strengthened the French position in Europe.

The first flexing of French power in Europe came with the purchase of Luxembourg. While it appeared that Prussia was going to contest this move, eventually French diplomats were able to soothe things through non-territorial concessions with the Prussians. This placed France in a much better position against the newly-formed North German Federation, and France was able to prepare for a potential conflict with the Federation. The spark that ignited the fire of conflict between these nations came from Spain.

After a crisis began because of the search for a new Spanish king. The Spanish offered the throne to the German prince Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, but French pressure and fear over a German-Spanish alliance forced the Germans to back down. German Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck, however, used the opportunity to goad France into declaring war. Today it is recognized that Bismarck was likely attempting to use the conflict to unify Germany, but we will never know for sure.

The Franco-Prussian war began with a massive French offensive into the North German Federation through Luxembourg. This move helped reduce the Prussian advantage, their forces were well organized and equipped, but their strategy was largely based on offensive maneuvers, and weren’t prepared to go on the full defensive. Bismarck's decision to goad France into attack, while necessary to get the support of the south German states, also allowed France to prepare and mobilize their forces. All these factors allowed the French to largely overcome the Prussian advantage.

The French drove into Prussia, and despite dogged Prussian resistance reached the Rhine. This caused the collapse of the Prussian armies, and the withdrawal of the south German states from the war. Ultimately, the North German Federation sued for peace, and was forced to cede the left bank of the Rhine to France, a humiliating defeat for the North Germans.

The next decade transformed Europe. France, now flush with power from their unexpected victory over the North German Federation, supported a republican coup in Belgium. The new republican government severed ties with Britain, and invited French forces into the country to restore order. The French forces never left, and a year later the country’s government agreed to be annexed by the Empire of France. Following this, the Netherlands, who at the time found itself without allies, became France’s next target. A short war forced them to cede their portion of the Rhine, to the English Channel, to France. Meanwhile, in Germany, Bismarck skillfully managed to direct the blame for their defeat on the Kaiser, strengthening his own position. He used this power to unify Germany, using the threat of French dominance as a reason to unite.

The final French conquest in Europe was also the one that brought the continent closest to war. The French, employing similar tactics to that which they used in Belgium, ignited a French Nationalist rebellion in Western Switzerland. When these rebels declared themselves part of France, French troops moved into several small border areas. This violation of Swiss neutrality nearly caused Britain and Germany to declare war, but the uncertain circumstances of the incursion prevented an outright war. With Switzerland falling apart, a conference was held in Munich on the issue of Switzerland. Ultimately the European nations decided to partition the country along ethno-linguistic lines.

While France stood ascendant in Europe, the cost of this expansion gave rise to a coalition of nations against the French. Bismarck, using his increased powers, managed to secure an alliance with the United Kingdom, and slowly the battle lines in Europe were drawn.

European borders following the end of major territorial changes. (more on the Balkans and Africa later)​

 

[theman7777]

20: Battle of the Canals

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While battle lines were being drawn in Europe, Mexico was finding itself in a battlefield of its own. As the 1800s drew increasingly closer to its end, France and Britain found themselves competing for influence in the country. In Europe and North Africa the French maintained control over the Suez Canal, and expanded that influence over the Sinai region.

In the Balkans the Treaty of San Stefano established an independent Bulgarian Empire, and in the aftermath the Ottoman Empire lost control of much of their Balkan possessions. Russia, a new French ally, was quick to assert further influence in these newly independent lands. This left Britain in search of new places to exert influence.

Mexico’s internal politics were looking favorably towards the British, a longtime friend. The 1875 election had lead to the presidency of Porfirio Diaz, yet another in Mexico’s series of Conservative presidents. Diaz looked upon the British favorably, and it increasingly looked like Mexico would be a permanently pro-British country. Diaz, during his presidency, sought to establish himself as a permanent dictator, creating a cult of personality around himself, and reforming the legal system to benefit him. This was furthered by his victory in the 1880 election, by an even higher margin than the last one.

The main target of British policy in Mexico was the proposed idea of a canal through Central America. France, at the same time was pursuing this goal, seeking to have a finger on the pulse of trade between Europe and Asia. The Porfirio government was pro-British, and while it allowed French corporations to purchase land in Panama, it promoted British construction efforts more so. However, despite the Mexican government’s attempts to roadblock construction in Panama, French construction efforts began. This scared the British, who sought to begin their own constructions.

The British surveyors selected Nicaragua as the target of their effort, seeking to build a canal through Lake Nicaragua. This, unlike the French effort, received the full backing of the Mexican government, and construction quickly began. Both the French and British efforts took years of construction, and both began in 1881. While the French one went as smoothly as could be expected considering the conditions of the region, the British one was fraught with difficulties.

Within the first few years of construction, the project was subject to outbreaks of disease and poor working conditions. There were many accidents during the construction, causing loss of life among those working on the site. This already made the project infamous in the region, but what came next became a national affair.

What brought the project to light in the minds of the Mexican people was the breakthrough of the ridge separating Lake Nicaragua from the Pacific Ocean. This, along with the massive dredging project throughout the lake, destroyed the local environment, and ruined the region’s economy. The Mexican Liberal Party, fearing that the Diaz administration may in the future restrict their ability to participate in elections, put their people to work spreading the story. It eventually became a major national scandal, and severely damaged the reputation of the Conservative party.

The canal also sparked a wave of anti-British, and in some cases, pro-French, sentiment. As a result, the Liberal Party became increasingly friendly with the French, and made their policy more anti-British. This came to a head in 1885, when for the first time the Liberal Party beat the Conservatives in a presidential election, ending Diaz’s hopes of a dictatorship centered around his rule. While some spoke of a coup, Diaz was placed under close surveillance by the new Liberal government, till the instability had passed. Ultimately, the British construction wasn’t stopped by the new Liberal government, seeing as the worst had already happened. Both canals were finished in just over ten years, but positioned Mexico in a much more pro-French standpoint.