Corrales Historical Society Speaker Series reviews events that led to US-Mexico War

The Corrales Historical Society Speaker Series returns this weekend with a presentation of events that led to the 1846 war between the United States and Mexico.

Former New Mexico State Historian Robert J. Tórrez will discuss the U.S. “Bloodless” 1846 Occupation of New Mexico Revolt and Treason Trials of 1847 at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Historic Old San Ysidro Church in Corrales.

Tórrez , who served as the New Mexico State Historian from 1987 through 2000, has published more than 100 scholarly articles in regional and national publications. He has contributed to nearly two dozen books and anthologies, including “Telling New Mexico: A New History,” and a textbook, “A History of New Mexico Since Statehood.”

Sunday, Tórrez will present a review of the build up to the 1846 war between the United States and Mexico and the subsequent “bloodless” conquest of New Mexico by Gen. Stephen Watts Kearny. He will also analyze the little-known northern New Mexico insurrection just months later — the “revolt of 1847” — and the “treason trials” and executions by hanging that followed.