The Human Cost
50,000
estimated total dead
Each dot below represents 1,000 human lives. Scroll to watch the scale unfold.
25,000 soldiers killed in combat, from wounds, or from disease. Each = 1,000 lives.
25,000 civilians killed — from violence, famine, disease, and displacement. Wars are not fought only by soldiers.
incl. 100 civilians
incl. 1,000 civilians
incl. 500 civilians
incl. 200 civilians
How Mex-Am War's dead compare to other conflicts and events.
1,733 dead
U.S. combat deaths — remarkably low given the scale of territorial conquest achieved
11,550 dead
An estimated 11,550 additional Americans died of disease — primarily dysentery and yellow fever — dwarfing combat losses
16,000 dead
Mexican military dead: estimates range from 12,000 to 20,000 killed, wounded, or captured
25,000 dead
Mexican civilian casualties from bombardment, disease, and displacement during the occupation