American Civil War Help?

Question

What was the significance, of the Mexican War to the Civil War?

Answer 1

You ask more than you realize. Perhaps the very BEST book about the political and chronological events involved with the Civil War begins with the Mexican War of 1848. James McPherson's "Battle Cry of Freedom" won the Pulitzer Prize 20 years ago (or more) and remains something required in ANY serious library that addresses American history. (And by the way, this season you should be able to get the gorgeous illustrated edition on the bargain table at Barnes & Noble for about $15, a STEAL, buy 4 and give 3 away!)

As one poster has already noted (betcha that person read Shaara's book, "Gone for Soldiers"), virtually every leading military figure of the Civil War was in the Mexican War. To the extent that their mutual experiences shaped many of the strategies and tactics of the Civil War, that observation is correct.

More significantly, the Mexican War set in motion the presidential politics that inevitably contributed to the Civil War. Also, the Mexican War confirmed the American cultural ideology of "Manifest Destiny," opening the remainder of the continent for U.S. expansion, and setting the foundation for conflict over expansion of slavery. That expansion also set in motion a number of economic events that underlay the American Civil War.

I strongly recommend you visit the library for, or invest in your own copy of, McPherson's book. Seriously answering your question would take much too much time now and YA won't allow answers that long!

Answer 2

The Mexican war was the training ground for the Generals on both sides of the Civil War.

The leaders of both the Union and Confederate armies were soldiers in the Mexican war.

Some of the future generals gained their first fame in combat during that war.
T.J. "Stonewall" Jackson led his artillery unit into range of the guns at a Mexican fort (the Mexicans had better range than any American gun present) and began destroying the enemy artillery with just his gun, while under fire. His effort and that of his crew was instrumental in winning the battle.
The unit commander for that group (and Jackson's commander) was Robert E. Lee.

Answer 3

color; black or brown.