1846-1848: Mexican-American War - This war resulted in the greatest wartime acquisition of the territory by the United States in its history. The relatively quickly-fought war resulted in a rout of Mexico's forces already weakened by a failing government and forced concessions by Mexico which invovled the cession of much of the now-American Southwest. The policy of manifest desitny came into full effect as the United States expanded fully to the West Coast, with the exception only of the future Gadsden purc (jan 1, 1846 – jan 1, 1848)
Added to timeline:
Date:
jan 1, 1846
jan 1, 1848
~ 2 years