Chapter 1: Manifest Destiny
Part 5: The Second Mexican War
“Peace, plenty, and contentment reign throughout our borders, and our beloved country presents a sublime moral spectacle to the world... “- James K. Polk
The USA can go to war with Mexico at anytime. Before war however, there are some minor things to take care of. During the war with Spain some colonies were able to become states and with the war now over it can be done. I did not extend slavery anywhere this time around. Actually the only states that slavery was ever extended to were Oklahoma and Texas.
I don’t know exactly what causes the civil war to start. I do know I don't want to be fighting Mexico and all of a sudden the south tries to leave the Union. I’ve seen the CSA appear in 1857 and as late as 1870 or not at all. I’m fairly certain it’s tied into consciousness so I passed some decisions to help out. The Trail of Tears decision was also used, which makes Cherokee an accepted culture. The United Kingdom is banned from Mexico, that will block them for a year from influencing Mexico. Several things can go wrong if the UK is able to influence Mexico during and after the war. To prevent anything unfortunate from happening it is best to win the war as quickly as possible.
Time to get the lower 48 (err I guess Cuba makes that the lower 49) so the Manifest Destiny event is fired, giving the USA its western cores. I didn’t know about the increase to consciousness from the decision so I’m glad I used the other decisions first.
War is declared on Mexico and so begins the 2nd Mexican War. New Mexico is selected as the first wargoal. It is closest to where my army is deployed and will be occupied first. Training begins for a hussar brigade.
The same plan will be used from the first war with Mexico, hang back and wait for the Mexican army to make its move. Once Mexico commits itself to sieging an American province the U.S. army will counter.
It certainly didn't take the Mexican army to make its move. Mexico invades Texas in the foolish hope of retaking it.
The U.S. moves in to intercept the Mexican army but the Mexicans were not ready to commit to a battle and retreated back into Mexico. Seeing a chance to strike a blow against Mexico the Americans pursue the fleeing Mexicans into Mexico, where they were able to catch up to them and start a battle. The battle is won and the Mexicans suffered heavy casualties. They are pursued and are wiped out in the following battle.
Clean Coal is finished and work begins on Market Structure. Hopefully this will boost a young U.S. economy!
I believe that the previous army was Mexico's entire standing army. There are several reserves around the map and they are all heading towards Oregon. All U.S. ground forces are ordered to the west to crush this force.
Only the new mobilized troops are on the map. This confirms that Mexico's standing army has been defeated. Mexico still has some fight left and has rallied a sizable army of 17,000 men. This force is besieging Portland (which seems a popular place to attack).
The march to Oregon was slow and the entire Mexican reserve force has marshaled at Portland, a total force of 23,000 men. The upcoming battle could determine the war.
With the full might of the U.S. Army bearing down on them, the Mexicans were defeated. In the follow up battle they were destroyed. It looks like investment in Muzzle-loaded Rifles and Army Professionalism paid off. The occupation of Mexico can begin.
Market Structure is finished and work begins on Interchangeable Parts. I still want to improve the economy.
Over in Europe it looks like a war is going to break out. I don't envy the NGF having to fight Austria, France and Russia all at once. Let the Europeans fight each other, it will only make America more dominate in the long run.
Mexico is a big place and will take awhile to occupy it all. I have no choice but to mobilize to increase the occupation speed. This war needs to be over as quickly as possible to deny the UK the chance of bringing Mexico into its sphere.
Mexico is building more troops and sent them off piece meal to California and Utah. To help prevent this I've positioned some troops to block off access into California. Once the reserves are brought down I can seal off Texas as well.
I have slowing been adding wargoals throughout the Mexican conflict and I now have all my cores added to the wargoals.
My math skills have led me to ruin! I need 114 warscore for all my cores. This is most upsetting it looks like I will need one more war to get all my cores from Mexico.
Hoping to end the war quickly, an army is sent to capture Mexico City. In the same fashion as the first war.
American forces landing at Veracruz
Interchangeable Parts finish and I start Biologism because of the education efficiency. An educated population is a powerful population.
Mexico City is captured but peace does not come. Mexican resistance at this point isn't much and by much I really mean hardly anything at all. A few 3,000 man armies were built but were destroyed quickly, before they could group together. Here is a current look at what I have occupied. Sadly not nearly as much as I ‘d hoped for by this time.
Biologism finishes up and I start Nationalism and Imperialism. After N&I is finished we can do a little warmongering. Influence begins on Hawaii. Its time America had a mighty Pacific island naval base!
Its been a year since Mexico city fell and nothing much has happened. Mexico isn’t even building new armies anymore. I’m just moving from province to province. The warscore still isn't high enough to acquire three wargoals. It is still upsetting that I won't be able to get all my cores. I've done it before in this way I don't know what changed. I decided Arizona will be left to the Mexicans, it saddens me.
All the provinces I have cores on are occupied but Mexico still wants to carry the fight on. Seems silly, they have no army and are not training replacements.
Napoleon of the West, eh?
A few more provinces are taken and Mexico sees reason but it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, Arizona remains under Mexican control. Besides the pride issue, it really isn’t that hurtful gameplay wise. I will still have a core so I can go to war for free in 5 years. The prize was California, with it the war was a success. The real danger now would be an alliance between the UK and Mexico. The U.S. won’t be much of a military threat to the UK until around the 1860s.
With this update Chapter 1: Manifest Destiny comes to a close. It was a glorious time for America with the liberation of many states; Texas, Cuba, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, and California. Mexican treachery kept Arizona out of American hands, which is intolerable. It will be rectified. America must now build and grow strong now to challenge more powerful foes than Spain. The Europeans still have their talons buried deep in the Americas.
As always, thanks for reading!