Early Life and Education of George Meade George Meade, born on December 31, 1815, spent his early years in a city full of culture, Philadelphia. His parents, Richard and Margaret Meade, provided a nurturing environment that shaped his growth. Interestingly, he also had Spanish roots since Margaret was the daughter of a wealthy Spanish merchant. […]
Mexican-American War
Stonewall Jackson
Early Life and Education of Stonewall Jackson Stonewall Jackson, born Thomas Jonathan Jackson, initiated his life’s journey in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia) on January 21, 1824. Raised by his uncle after the early demise of his parents, Jackson had to grapple with abject poverty during his adolescence. Despite the challenging circumstances, Jackson was determined […]
Robert E Lee
Robert E Lee’s Early Life and Education Robert Edward Lee was born into a prestigious Virginia family on January 19, 1807. His father, Henry ‘Light Horse Harry’ Lee, had been a Revolutionary War hero. Despite their distinguished ancestry, the family was plagued by financial difficulties, heavily affecting Robert E Lee’s childhood. At a tender age, […]
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Background of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo has roots in the Mexican-American War, a conflict that emerged from territorial disputes. Following Texas’ independence from Mexico in 1836, the newly-formed Republic of Texas sought to join the United States. This bid intensified discord between the U.S. and Mexico, primarily because Mexico […]
Jose Joaquin de Herrera
Early Life and Education of Jose Joaquin de Herrera Jose Joaquin Antonio Florencio de Herrera, commonly known as Jose Joaquin de Herrera, was born on February 23, 1792, in the vibrant city of Xalapa, Veracruz. From his birthplace in the heart of Mexico’s Gulf Coast, Herrera inherited a vibrant cultural heritage filled with diverse influences. […]
Winfield Scott
Early Life and Military Career of Winfield Scott Winfield Scott was born on June 13, 1786, in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, a factor that ultimately influenced his military aspirations. Scott’s father passed away when he was just six years old, leaving him to be raised by an ambitious widowed mother. His youth was colored with resilience, […]
Pedro de Ampudia
Early life and Military Education of Pedro de Ampudia Born on 7th January 1805 in Havana, Cuba, Pedro de Ampudia spent his childhood engrossed in the social and political happenings within his native setting. This period was marked by a plethora of political shifts and societal rearrangements, which inevitably influenced his ambitions and future career. […]
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
Early Life and Military Career Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was born on February 21, 1794, in Xalapa, Veracruz, into a middle-class family. The second of eleven children, Santa Anna’s early experiences had a profound impact in sculpting his future personality and political outlook. As a young boy, he was restless and showed an extravagant […]
Siege of Veracruz
Historical Background of the Siege of Veracruz The Siege of Veracruz, a pivotal event in the Mexican-American War, didn’t occur in a vacuum. It was the product of a chain of political and military events. This conflict stemmed from the annexation of Texas by the United States in 1845, a move strongly resisted by Mexico. […]
Compromise of 1850
The Underlying Causes of the Compromise of 1850 The Compromise of 1850, a group of Congressional statutes, was born out of deep-rooted conflict between the North’s desire to abolish slavery and the South’s dependence on it. Essentially, it aimed to balance the power between free and slave states amidst the geographical and political expansion of […]