1871 Confederate-Mexican War

The **1871 Confederate-Mexican War** was a brief war between the Confederate States of America and the Mexican Republic. The Confederates won against the fragile Mexican Republicans. Many question the legality of the war, with some war crimes being committed by the Confederates against the Mexican populace, resulting in a wave of anti-American resentment from Mexico.

## Background to the War

### Mexican Weakness

Although the Mexican Republicans had been successful in their war against France and the Second Mexican Empire, they had done so largely without the support of the United States. The United States believed that intervening in Mexico would spark conflict with the Confederates again, which, according to the Agreement, would invoke European reaction. The United Kingdom had distanced itself from the Franco-Mexican war after 1962, but would have likely returned as part of their 'Cotton Diplomacy' policy with the Confederates. Thus, neither American country involved itself with Mexico or took sides.

When the Mexican Republic was restored in 1867 following the execution of Emperor Maximilian I, the Republic realised its largely unsupported foundation. They knew they could no longer count on the United States as an ally, and soon became paranoid of their own weakness.

### Confederate Legitimacy in Question

The Confederate political situation had become dire after the assassination of President Jefferson Davis in 1865. The policies of President Alexander Stephens resulted in a division of his Congress, with those loyal to Stephens forming the Loyalist Party, and the main opposition forming into a pseudo-Democratic party, the Southern Democrats. Stephens' defeat to Robert E. Lee for the Presidential bid in 1868 only dampened relations more. Violence had broken out between Loyalists and Southern Democrats, only enflamed further when President Lee died in 1870 and Alexander H. H. Stuart took office.

The violence and political instability had begun to waver the 'Cotton Diplomacy' between the Confederates and the British, and President Stuart grew paranoid of a Unionist plot against the Confederate administration. The Confederate legitimacy was put into question, and President Stuart knew he needed a way to rally his people to calm.

### 'Golden Circle' Proposition

One of the Confederate aims was their 'Golden Circle' proposition, involving an annexation of Mexican states, Cuba and Caribbean islands. President Stuart believed that a national consensus on the 'Golden Circle' proposition might spur national pride in his country, and his eyes wandered to the weakened Mexican Republic in the south. Mobilising his armies for war, he took the risk.

## The War

### Confederates March South

Without much pre-emptive warning, the Confederate armies were ordered to march south. Resistance from Mexican guerrilla fighters were high, but the Confederate States were largely victorious from an early stage. In Chihuahua, the Confederates successfully crossed the Rio Grande river and took Ciudad Juárez. Other Confederate lines moved into Coahuila and Nuevo Leon, and were ordered to march on and force the Mexicans to sue for peace.

President Stuart believed that the northern regions of Chihuahua, Coahuila and Nuevo Leon would smooth out the Confederate-Mexican border. Troops were also posted in the north, in preparation in case of a United States intervention.

The Mexicans found themselves beaten at every corner, and were constantly forced to retreat. Specifically, it was the military tactics of Stonewall Jackson, a veteran Confederate general and master tactician, that broke the Mexican lines at every step.

### International Reactions

The US President, George H. Pendleton, remained constantly fearful of the Confederate aim and diplomatic support, despite many in his Cabinet believing Union intervention in the Confederate States on the Mexican side was a grand opportunity. The Confederates were still largely outnumbered, and focusing on the Mexican campaign, they would be outmatched fighting on two fronts. Pendleton, however, feared British intervention, and constantly refused joining the war.

The British, however, did not intervene. They still thought that Confederate legitimacy was wavering, but if the Confederates could prove their resolve in the war against Mexico, they would reopen diplomacy. Prime Minister William Gladstone was still a staunch Confederate supporter but insisted the British remain out of the conflict, to give the Confederates the opportunity they needed to shine and to reinvigorate their populace.

### Mexican Surrender

The war was short yet decisive. Only two months in, the Confederates had made ground-breaking advancements into Chihuahua, Coahuila and Nuevo Leon, and Mexican attempts to break the Confederate line at Tamaulipas proved ineffective. The Confederate methods were harsh and brutal in their nature as well, with some accounts claiming that they were conducting war crimes to the Mexican populace; enslaving the men and children, and sexually assaulting the women. To an extent, they were using pirate tactics to force the Mexicans into submission.

President Benito Juárez saw the conflict could go on no longer, and sued for peace with President Stuart only three months in to the war. The peace treaty was signed by President Juárez and General Stonewall Jackson at El Paso, with the Mexicans agreeing to cede northern lands of Chihuahua, Coahuila and Nuevo Leon to the Confederates.

## Aftermath

### Confederate Nationalist Spur

The war had its intended effect, as President Stuart hoped. Loyalists and Southern Democrats alike rejoiced at the victory and a spur of nationalist pride was felt across the Confederate States. As a result, President Stuart's bid for re-election in 1872 was won nearly uncontested, winning a landslide alongside his running mate, Thomas A. Hendricks.

The new lands gained from Coahuila and Nuevo Leon were integrated into Texas, and the border shift at Chihuahua was integrated into the state of Stonewall (or New Mexico). It was the first major military victory for the Confederates outside of the War for Independence.

### Diplomatic Aftermath

The intended effects diplomatically were also successful. The British agreed to reopen 'Cotton Diplomacy' with the Confederates, with Prime Minister Gladstone himself recognising the new Confederate claims. The United States also backed down, with President Pendleton's reputation tarnished, and President Stuart's paranoia was calmed. The Confederate position was reinvigorated.

However, the legality of the war and war crimes committed by the Confederates made them an eternal hate symbol to the Mexicans. Tensions grew, which would eventually explode into another war later on.