Mexican War Broadsides and Letter

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4325

Scope and Contents

This collection contains three broadsides from Mexican government offices and one letter from an American during the Mexican War pertaining to decrees to raise funds, a decree in response to the Revolt of the Polkos, and the political tensions within Mexico surrounding the war. The broadsides are written in Spanish and the letter is written in English.

Dates

1847 - 1848

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers are responsible for using the materials in conformance with United States copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright claimants in collection materials. Copyright for official University records is held by The University of Alabama. The library claims only physical ownership of many manuscript collections. Anyone wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of literary property rights or copyrights. Please contact Special Collections (archives@ua.edu) with questions regarding specific manuscript collections. For more information about copyright policy, please visit: https://www.ua.edu/copyright/. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals without the consent of those individuals may have legal implications, for which the University of Alabama assumes no responsibility.

Biographical / Historical

The Mexican War (1846-1848) followed the annexation of Texas to the United States which disregarded Mexico's claim to that territory. Other disputed territories were in modern day New Mexico and California, with a strong military presence in those areas as well as battles fought in northern and central Mexico. During the war, Mexico experienced political divisions and a weakened military that impeded the war effort. Conservative and liberal factions in the government and military were distracted by infighting rather than focusing their efforts against the United States. There was a quick turnover in Mexican presidencies during this time with some heads of state holding office for just a few days or weeks. The turnovers were caused by accusations from opposing political parties and military officers. Eventually, with a weakened military and the United States occupying the Mexican capital, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was negotiated and ended the war.