Mexican-Confederate War (Brothers No More)

The Mexican-Confederate War was a military conflict that occurred from January 24, 1870 to September 17, 1870. Initially, the Confederate States of America, on the request of France, entered the war in support of the Second Mexican Empire against revolutionary forces. As the war evolved and the French Empire fell in Europe, the Confederacy fought against both sides in Mexico and took several Mexican states for themselves.

Background
Ever since the Second French Intervention in Mexico, republican forces in Mexico had been fighting against the Second Mexican Empire, led by Emperor Maximilian I. French forces supported the Mexican Empire until 1870, when they had to withdraw in order to prepare for the planned French war with Prussia. Despite the withdrawal, France did not want to abandon their hopes for a monarchist ally in the Americas, and so asked the Confederate States of America to support the imperial Mexican regime.

As France had played a large role in winning the C.S.A.'s independence, it was expected that the Confederacy would return the favor by entering the Mexican war. Additionally, Confederate President Robert E. Lee had already formed plans for an invasion of Mexico. The only thing stopping him from declaring war was the French support of the regime, but this request gave him the green light to fulfill his territorial ambitions. Some sources claim that France even offered control of the Northern Mexican states to the Confederacy before they entered the war. That claim is disputed and it is unknown if the French offer was actually made. In any case, the Confederate Congress declared war on January 24, 1870.

The War
President Lee immediately raised state militias. He placed famous General and future President Stonewall Jackson in charge of the entire war effort. Notably, former President Jefferson Davis was also made a general and given command of his own army, at his request.

Confederate armies soon attacked from Texas and the Arizona Territory. With the Mexicans unprepared for the attack, they saw light resistance until they were already many miles passed the border. Jackson's army made its way down Mexico's East coast, while Davis marched down the Baja California Peninsula. Another army, led by James Longstreet, made up the Center, taking on West and Central Mexico. All three armies made quick work of every opponent they encountered- the disorganized rebel force was simply no match for the greater numbers and experience of the Confederates.

Baja California was completely under Confederate control by June. Though they were nominally fighting on the Mexican Empire's side, the Confederates made little distinction between the two Mexican factions. If they spoke Spanish and stood in the Confederate army's way, they were treated as an enemy. Davis took his army back into Central Mexico to join with Longstreet and Jackson. By September, they had nearly reached Mexico City. That was when something unexpected happened: the French Emperor Napoleon III was captured by the Prussians. A new French Republic took his place.

President Lee asked France how the Confederacy should proceed. The new government, much more focused on other issues, simply responded that they didn't care anymore what the Confederates did in Mexico. This began a debate in the C.S. Some politicians wanted to continue the war until all of Mexico was captured, and then have the C.S.A. annex it all. Others wanted no part in any Mexican territory, not wanting the Confederacy to become involved in imperialistic behavior. Most people simply wanted what they had started the war for: the Northern Mexican states. Eventually, Lee decided that he only wanted those states and asked to make peace with the Mexican republicans.

The republican forces, exhausted and knowing they had no chance of winning the war if the Confederates stayed in, immediately accepted the peace offer. They agree to cede the states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Sonora, and Baja California to the Confederacy. Realizing that this deal may not be widely seen as legitimate, the Confederates also sought a peace deal with the Mexican Empire. The imperialists also knew that they had no chance of beating the C.S., and they soon added their name to the treaty. The deal was done, and the Confederacy left the war on September 17th, 1870.

Aftermath
The successful Confederate armies returned home as war heroes. The fame of the three main generals, Jackson, Longstreet, and Davis, was increased even further. Both Jackson and Longstreet would use this boost in popularity to attempt a run for president, though only Jackson was successful. President Lee also saw a large boost in his already strong popularity.

The new Mexican territory was organized into three territories: Tamaulipas, Sonora, and Baja California. The Mexicans living in the new Confederate territory were not extremely happy with the new arrangement, although they were happy to be out of the war. Almost immediately after the war, thousands of Southern settlers began flowing into the land. They hoped to establish their own profitable plantations to rival the old ones in the East. Many Mexicans also saw opportunity and began plantations of their own, hoping to quickly be accepted into Confederate culture. This influx of new plantations and farms led to an expansion of the slave trade inside the Confederacy.

Not all Mexicans tried to please their new countrymen, however. Up to 100,000 Mexicans left the territories in favor of remaining within their native country.

One of the major reasons the Confederacy wanted the Mexican lands was to establish ports in the Pacific. They immediately did so upon winning the territory, and profitable new trade routes were started.

Mexico was deeply affected by this war. For a short time after the Confederates signed the peace treaty, the imperial forces managed to gain the upper hand against the republicans. Soon, though, the revolutionary forces were organized again and began pushing the imperials back once more. The conflict in Mexico would not end until 1877, when Emperor Maximilian was executed and a democratic government was established. For a long time after, the Mexicans resented the Confederacy for meddling in their affairs and destabilizing their country forever. Revanchism became a popular policy over the next 100+ years, and these feelings were finally acted upon when Mexico fought the Confederacy in World War II.