Mexican American War; Military Technology of the United States and Mexican Army

the Mexican American War was a two year conflict between the United States Government and the Mexican Government. This war happened because of the problem with the annexation of Texas. Back in the 1830's American settlers had disputes with the mexican citizens who were living in Texas. Most of the American settlers wanted the United States to intervene into this conflict, however since including these states would escalate tension politically over the issue of slavery, the Jackson and Van Buren ignored this issue.

However during the 1848 the democrats especially President James K Polk's persistence to acquire new territory. In the american perspective this event was all a part of the concept called Manifest Destiny which is the term used for the United States expansion into Western Territory. Also this expansion that James K Polk allowed for slavery to be spread to Texas and other western territories.

Today, I want to specifically talk about the technological and weaponry innovations of the United States compared to that of Mexico.

During the Mexican American war the United States had an advantage over the Mexican army who were just starting to establish a nation after officially becoming independent from the Spanish Empire in 1821. Mexico was a government had only survived 20 to 25 years after their successful independence when they got into a military conflict with the United States. This meant that the Mexican military wasn't as capable of making advanced technology compared to the United States  that has survived as a nation for 65 years after their independence.

Mexican American War: United States and Mexican Military Technology

With that being said, the United States had already started to establish railroads allowing for resources to travel rapidly across North America, and steamboats were established in the United States in 1807. These new transportation innovations were able to help the soldiers who were fighting wars especially during the Mexican American war.

Also the United States had advanced communication technology such as the telegraph and this technology was able to help get messages across to the soldiers fighting in the Mexican american war. Basically, the United States was able to effectively progress their war efforts since important information could be passed on in a rapid pace.

Also the United States was able to process weapons such as muskets, rifles, pistols, colt revolvers, bayonets, swords and artillery pieces. However the most significant weapon that was able to determine the fate of the United States victory was the 0.69 caliber shotgun that was able to accurately hit targets which were 100 feet away. Cannon and cannonball shells were effective at targeting soldiers 300 feet away.

The frequent use of these weapons were able to decide who was stronger and who was weaker during this war. The weapons made by the United States were most likely able to work since the United States factories were efficient at producing weapons needed for the war efforts.

On the other hand the mexicans had at least some capability to stand up to the United States as regards to technology and weaponry. Similar to the United States they too had weapons such as cannons, muskets, pistols, swords and rifles. However other than that they lacked in resources which meant that even though they had tremendous amounts of soldiers, it was nearly impossible to achieve a complete victory against the United States. The Mexicans also had a disadvantage because the Mexicans were not able to make canons that could shot accurately from 300 feet away meaning that they had no long range weapons that could possibly protect them from man to man combat. The mexicans throughout this war needed to use military tactics to outmaneuver the United States rather than to continuously have direct confrontation with them. These weapons are significant because it somewhat reflects on the economic progress of the United States and it also does show the bold truth behind the fate of the United states military during the Mexican American War.


0.69 Caliber Shotgun bullets discovered