Why was the 1846 battle of santa fe in the mexican-american war significant? a. santa fe was the capital of mexico, and the us victory forced mexico to surrender. b. santa anna had been in exile, and he rejoined the fight for mexico at santa fe, defeating the americans c. defeating mexican forces in santa fe meant that the united states would be able to control the new mexico territory. d. the battle made santa anna a war hero and brought mexico closer to victory in the mexican-american war.