Latin American Studies ETDs
Publication Date
12-1-2011
Abstract
This thesis presents a reappraisal of the performance of the Mexican general officer corps during the U.S.-Mexican War, 1846-1847. Often negatively libeled, Mexicos defeat is often attributed in no small part to the moral shortcomings of the generals who led her armies. By a detailed analysis of their background, motivations, and military careers, a more accurate perspective regarding the Mexican general officer corps' performance during the war can be obtained by the reader. It is the argument of this thesis that the operational tactics and organizational weakness of the Army's High Command sufficiently account for the failures of the generals without examination of its moral shortcomings. Both the Bourbon Spanish military heritage and political/social heterogeneity of the officer corps impeded its success as a corporate entity. By a detailed analysis of senior Mexican military leadership during the war's two major land campaigns, it becomes apparent that the army's failure is attributable in no small part to both of these factors whose detailed analysis has been overlooked in past scholarship.
Language
English
Keywords
U.S.-Mexican War, 1846-1848., Mexican War, 1846-1848--Military personnel--Mexican, Mexico--History, Military--19th century
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Southwest Studies
Level of Degree
Masters
Department Name
Latin American Studies
First Committee Member (Chair)
Cordova, Teresa
Recommended Citation
Sanchez, Javier Ernesto. "Valor Wrought Asunder: The Mexican General Officer Corps in the U.S.-Mexican War, 1846-1847.." (2011). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/ltam_etds/3
Comments
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