Robert E. Lee Confederate States Army commander Robert Edward Lee (January 19, 1807 – October 12, 1870) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War, towards the end of which he was appointed the overall commander of the Confederate States Army. He led the Army of Northern Virginia—the Confederacy's most powerful army—from 1862 until its surrender in 1865, earning a reputation as a skilled tactician. In 1865, Lee became president of Washington College (later Washington and Lee University) in Lexington, Virginia; in that position, he supported reconciliation between North and South. Early life and education Oronoco Street, Alexandria, Virginia"Lee Corner" properties Lee was born at Stratford Hall Plantation in Westmoreland County, Virginia, to Henry Lee III and Anne Hill Carter Lee on January 19, 1807.[4] His ancestor, Richard Lee I, emigrated from Shropshire, England, to Virginia in 1639.[5] Military engineer career Lee at age 31 in 1838, as a Lieutenant of Engineers in the U.S. Robert E. Texas
Battle for Mexico City The Battle for Mexico City refers to the series of engagements from September 8 to September 15, 1847, in the general vicinity of Mexico City during the Mexican–American War. Included are major actions at the battles of Molino del Rey and Chapultepec, culminating with the fall of Mexico City. The U.S. Background[edit] The major objective of American operations in central Mexico had been the capture of Mexico City. Battles[edit] Molino del Rey[edit] On September 8, the fight for Mexico City began. Molino del Rey is on the left. Chapultepec[edit] The main assault on the city came a few days later on September 12. Attacks on the Belén and San Cosme Gates[edit] Fall of Mexico City[edit] Stragglers from the Mexican army left in the city after Santa Anna's withdrawal climbed to the roofs of houses and began shooting at the American soldiers. Order of battle[edit] United States[edit] US Army – Major General Winfield Scott Mexico[edit] 7 August 1847—20,210 men and 104 artillery pieces acs Gens.
United States Congress Legislature of the US, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate Coordinates: 38°53′23″N 77°0′32″W / 38.88972°N 77.00889°W / 38.88972; -77.00889 Article One of the United States Constitution requires that members of Congress must be at least 25 years old (House) or 30 years old (Senate), have been a citizen of the United States for seven (House) or nine (Senate) years, and be an inhabitant of the state which they represent. Members in both chambers may stand for re-election an unlimited number of times. Overview[edit] Article One of the United States Constitution states, "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives." In 1868, this committee of representatives prosecuted President Andrew Johnson in his impeachment trial, but the Senate did not convict him. The term Congress can also refer to a particular meeting of the legislature. Scholar and representative Lee H.
Thornton Affair The Thornton Affair, also known as the Thornton Skirmish, Thornton's Defeat, or Rancho Carricitos[2] was a battle in 1846 between the military forces of the United States and Mexico twenty miles west upriver from Zachary Taylor's camp along the Rio Grande.[1]:48 The much larger Mexican force defeated the Americans in the opening of hostilities, and was the primary justification for U.S. President James K. Polk's call to Congress to declare war.[1]:48 Background[edit] Mariano Arista assumed command of the Division of the North on 4 April and arrived at Matamoros on 24 April, making the total force there about 5000 men, and notified Taylor hostilities had commenced.[1]:47 Arista promptly ordered General Anastasio Torrejón to cross the Rio Grande fourteen miles upstream at La Palangana.[1]:48 Battle[edit] Aftermath[edit] Declaration of war[edit] Upon learning of the incident, President James K. On 13 May 1846, the U.S. See also[edit] List of battles of the Mexican–American War References[edit]
James K. Polk 11th President of the United States Polk is considered by many the most effective president of the pre–Civil War era, having met during his four-year term every major domestic and foreign policy goal he had set. After a negotiation fraught with risk of war, he reached a settlement with the United Kingdom over the disputed Oregon Country, the territory for the most part being divided along the 49th parallel. Polk achieved a sweeping victory in the Mexican–American War, which resulted in the cession by Mexico of nearly all the American Southwest. He secured a substantial reduction of tariff rates with the Walker tariff of 1846. The same year, he achieved his other major goal, re-establishment of the Independent Treasury system. Scholars have ranked Polk favorably for his ability to promote and achieve the major items on his presidential agenda, but he has been criticized for leading the country into war against Mexico and for exacerbating sectional divides. Early life[edit] Robert C.
Texas Revolution The Texas Revolution (October 2, 1835 – April 21, 1836) was a rebellion of colonists from the United States and Tejanos (Texas Mexicans) in putting up armed resistance to the centralist government of Mexico. While the uprising was part of a larger one that included other provinces opposed to the regime of President Antonio López de Santa Anna, the Mexican government believed the United States had instigated the Texas insurrection with the goal of annexation. The Mexican Congress passed the Tornel Decree, declaring that any foreigners fighting against Mexican troops "will be deemed pirates and dealt with as such, being citizens of no nation presently at war with the Republic and fighting under no recognized flag." Only the province of Texas succeeded in breaking with Mexico, establishing the Republic of Texas, and eventually being annexed by the United States. Determined to avenge Mexico's honor, Santa Anna vowed to personally retake Texas. Background Gonzales Gulf Coast campaign Alamo Notes
Antonio López de Santa Anna Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón (Spanish pronunciation: [anˈtonjo ˈlopes ðe sant(a)ˈana]; 21 February 1794 – 21 June 1876),[1] often known as Santa Anna[2] or López de Santa Anna, was a Mexican politician and general who fought to defend royalist New Spain and then for Mexican independence. He greatly influenced early Mexican politics and government, and was an adept soldier and cunning politician, who dominated Mexican history in the first half of the nineteenth century to such an extent that historians often refer to it as the "Age of Santa Anna".[3] He was called "the Man of Destiny", who "loomed over his time like a melodramatic colossus, the uncrowned monarch. His political positions changed frequently in his lifetime; "his opportunistic politics made him a Liberal, Conservative, and uncrowned king Early life and education[edit] Career[edit] Military career during the War of Independence, 1810–1821[edit] Santa Anna in a Mexican military uniform
Caudillo Contents Spanish American Caudillos[edit] Antonio López de Santa Anna, who dominated Mexico in the first half of the nineteenth century. Since Spanish American independence in the early nineteenth century, the region has been noted for its number of caudillos and the duration of their rule. The early nineteenth century is sometimes called "The Age of Caudillos",[10] with Juan Manuel de Rosas, dictator of Argentina,[12] and his contemporary in Mexico, Antonio López de Santa Anna,[13] dominating national politics. There were a few strongmen, whom historian E. National caudillos often sought to legitimate their rule by holding titles of authority, such as president of the republic. Ideologically, caudillos could be either liberal or conservative. Independence era[edit] Although there was the hope of some Spanish American leaders of independence that the political contours of regions would reconstitute the former viceroyalties, but with local autonomy. Early nineteenth-century Caudillos[edit]