WI Mexico Victorious

What would happen if Mexico either won, or did significantly better in the Mexican-American War. Could they hold on to California? Would Mexico be better off, or would the North become a potential resource drain?

I was thinking maybe Paredes reinforces Arista, and they disperse Taylor's Army - which also keeps Herrerra in and Santa Anna out, IIRC. (It's been a while since I've read up on it).
 
Northern Mexico (the part ceded to the US) was lowly populated and fell into US hands without much of a fight. The major battles in the Mexican War were all in the south. Mexican victories there (in Mexico's populated heartland) still won't change that Mexico can't exercise real power or authority so far north. Furthermore, defeating Taylor is not enough, as Scott will be landing in Veracruz.

I think one way or the other, the US will get California and New Mexico. Not having its capital occupied probably means Mexico gets more compensation for it.

For being defeated as badly as they were, Mexico got off light. If not for domestic disagreement, the US could easily have added the Baja California penninsula and the northern tier of desert Mexican states as well - they were equally lightly populated.
 
Mexico lost because the mexicans were fighting between themselves instead of fighting the americans.

But anyway, maybe if the mexican army/government retreats and prepares to fight a long and bloody guerilla war, and mantain it long enough, minimal concessions could be made (though California is what the americans absolutely wanted, especially the San Francisco area).

Something like this for the best case scenario:

mexlimitedusvictory.png
 
Top