THE FORMATIVE YEARS 1815 1898

1
THE FORMATIVE YEARS (1815 1898)
2
New Aircraft

• Numerical Designation
• C-130
• Name
• Hercules
• Mission
• Tactical Airlift
• More Hurricane spotters, Air refueling, medical
  airlift
  
• Interesting Flown in Charlotte, can back up

3
MONROE DOCTRINE

• What It warned European powers to stay out of
  the West
  
• Why
• Russian decree they owned territories that
  included 100 miles off Alaska
  
• Europe debating giving Spain south American
  colonies back
  
• Who helped the US
• Britainwanted trade with South America
• Importance wars with European powers would have
  been a certainty
  
• AT MINIMUM WOULD DELAY US DEVELOPMENTCivil War
  in 1900s

4
MEXICAN WAR (1846 1848)

• First war after the Monroe doctrine NOT with a
  European power
  
• It was with Mexico
• The US had feelings of nationalism and
  expansionismcomponents of MANIFEST DESTINY
  
• Mexico was protecting what they had

5
ISSUESMEXICAN WAR

• Manifest Destiny
• Louisiana Purchase1803
• Florida from Spain1813
• Oregon from Britain1846
• All that was left was the Southwest
• These territories were parts of Mexico won from
  Spain in 1821
  

6
MEXICAN WARSetting the Stage

• 1821-183615 yearsTexas belonged to Mexico
• Mexico wanted peopletaxes and powercoaxed
  Americans to come
  
• By 1836 there were four times more Americans than
  Mexicans
  
• 1836 Texas declared its independence

7
MEXICAN WARSetting the Stage

• Mexico attempted to regain its control over
  Texas
  
• Ended slavery
• Increased taxes
• Military garrisons and martial law
• Texas remained independent for 9 years
• 1845 admitted into US
• Mexico didnt recognize any change

8
MEXICAN WARStage Set

• U.S. government began to look at the territories
  of California and New Mexico
  
• US also wanted Mexico to move below the Rio
  Grande
  
• Gen. Zachary Taylor moved his forces into
  territories claimed by the US and Mexico
  
• Stage was setobjectives clear
• US wanted TX, NM, AZ, and CA
• Mexico wanted to keep that territory

9
Military Objectives/Strategy

• A new experience for American Military
• First time the US was the stronger ANTAGONIST
• Mexico had larger numbers but US had superior
  industrial economy
  
• First time US was engaged in an offensive war
• President wanted fast war
• Occupy Northern Mexico
• Blockade eastern coastprevent re-supply
• Seize San Francisco and block West Coast
• US won every major engagement
• Still had to invade Mexico City

10
Military Technology-Technique

• Still used smoothbore musket
• Limited range and accuracy
• Reliability was improved and flintlock replaced
  by percussion musket
  
• Allowed firing in rain and snow
• Muzzle-loaded cannon
• Time consuming and inaccurate
• Lighter and moved by one horsepositioning faster
  than Mexicans
  
• Logistics a problem
• Long distances to battlefieldsno rail caused
  weapons shortage
  
• Amphibious operationsfirst used
• Professional OfficersGenerals had no formal
  training but mid-level officers were educated at
  West Point

11
Military ForcesEducated and Prepared

• US Military still small
• 8,000 beginning of warswells to 30,000
• Mexican military36,000
• US shortages overcome by good tactics
• Gen Kearny takes northern front New Mexico to
  California
  
• General Zachary TaylorMiddle coast to Buena
  Vista
  
• General Winfield Scottthe brains took the
  final southern offensive to Mexico City
  
• Tactics developed by West Point graduates

12
So What?!!

• Decided by Peace Treaty at Guadalupe Hidalgo1848
  (3 years after annexing Texas)
  
• Along with the Gadsden Purchase in 1853 set the
  stage for the CONUS48
  
• The US paid 15 million
• Set precedent for force combined with
  compassionwe try to make things right
  
• Continues to this day
• A professional officer corps started
• Continues to this dayAcademies and military
  schools
  

13
MEXICAN WAR (1846 1848)

• Set in motion by Monroe Doctrine
• Feelings of Nationalism and Expansionism
• Starts With Texas
• Ends with sea-to-sea territory
• Military
• Better musket
• Professional Officer Corps