when did the mexican war occur?
In 1845, America tried buying huge parts of Mexican land that included present day California and New Mexico. When Mexico refused to part with its land, America tried using force. Mexico and America both maintained that the border was theirs. This led to the beginning of the Mexican America War that would last for two years (1846-48). America won the war decisively. Mexico had to give up California, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and parts of Colorado, Wyoming and Arizona.