The landing at Veracruz, 1914

The relations between the U.S. and Mexico had begun to deteriorate during the revolutionary trumoil which followed the overthrow of the Diaz regime in May 1911. The tension increased when General Victoriano Huerto emerged as provisional president of Mexico in a manner which aroused the righteous wrath of President Woodrow Wilson. While Wilson did not want war, he longed for an incident which could be used to the discredit of Huerta. Eventually, such an incident occurred in 1914. Woodrow's response to situation resulted in the ordering of the Atlantic Fleet to seize the Customs House at Veracruz, an action unexpectedly resulting in a lively little battle and the loss of many lives.