The Mexican-American war is the result of the expansionist ideologies that were predominant in the United States post-Independence. Vazquez argues that the war was inevitable, due to the expansionist nature of the US at the time. A constant flow of settlers were migrating from Europe to North America. As more settlers arrived, the current settlers sold their land and migrated westward. Thus began a cycle of expansionism, which became a necessity post-Independence, from enlightenment nationalism. Mexico was a prime target, due to its weak military and economy compared to the US. The US tried and failed to purchase Texas from Mexico, as this was how they previously obtained territory. Americans then started migrating to California, expansionism
Slavery was a major topic of the time. Mexico was completely against having slaves, while America wanted slavery. (Doc. D) This is a reason why the United States was not justified going into war. Our freedom was disrespected by the Mexicans and they could have charged American citizens with disgraceful robbery, while seeking extension of slavery.
a. The War with Mexico i. Polk wants control over ALL of Mexico, between Texas and Pacific Ocean- willing to go to war ii. Texas Republic accepted statehood in 1845=1845 Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with the US iii. Polk intimated Mexican Gov- Zachary Taylor occupy all the lands in the Nucese River and Rio Grande iv. Sent John Slidell to Mexico city- to secure Mexican acceptance of the Rio Grande boundary and to buy Mexico and CA- officials did not see him v. Alternate plan was to start a CA revolution (like Texas) to get independence and join the US vi. Polk ordered naval commanders to seize CA 's coastal towns (in case of war) and sent John C Fremont 's troops into Mexico vii.
The Mexican- American war was indeed a turning point for the slavery issue going on in the United States of America. America had become very self-conscious and their interests became antagonistic in the future of determining the future for the new land gained from Mexico (Document 2). Before the Mexican-American war the president during the time, Polk wanted to acquire California after signing a treaty for half of Oregon. He tried to get California as part of the United States in a peaceful manner but failed. Soon after failing to get California he turned to war.
Like any other wars, the U.S.- Mexican War was “fundamentally about violence — a violence that did not end once the war or the military phase of the war ended”. The war, to some extent, was about brutality, allocation, racism and expropriation. The war was about “labor, acquiring or making wealth, about capitalist development and what that means”. By claiming this concept in the war, the warriors took land from Native Americans and Mexican violently by showing dominating power of Andrew Jackson to realize their “American dreams”. The behavior of America that seizing lands from a weak neighbor country is not justified because it is morally wrong to seize a country that is much weaker.
The United States war with Mexico was over 160 years ago and still continues to be a divisive and widely debated topic, was it justifiable or not? The first war to be fought mostly on foreign land, was the Mexican-American War that started in 1846. America, lead by President Polk, who believed the U.S had a “manifest destiny”, fought against Mexico who had a weak military and was politically divided. After the war ended in 1848, Mexico lost one-third of its territory which included present-day California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. Although the United States war against Mexico resulted in the gaining of America’s most valuable land, the war itself was unjust because their goal was to expand slavery, Texas was wrong from the beginning, and the war was based on false pretenses.
The Mexican American war the main war for the United States to have begun and battled on remote ruined. Because of social and objective contrasts this lead to strife between the countries. The United States needed to spread their property and assume control Mexican region while Mexico attempted to determine their political emergency and needed to keep their
The Mexican-American war brought a sense of accomplishment as negotiations began after America's victory. Between 1846 and 1848, America and Mexico frequently clashed. The Mexican-American war, also known as the U.S. invasion in Mexico, demonstrated the power and the want for more land from the other side. Though the land belonged to Mexico, this land dispute needed to be sorted out to address the much-wanted expansion of the U.S. The eventual end to the war soon gave the U.S. the land of the west coast.
The Mexican-American War was a watershed moment in U.S. history that continues to have far-reaching effects. The United States' belief in Manifest Destiny led to this conflict being waged so that the nation's borders and the fate of its people could be established. Following a string of wins in 1846 and 1848, the Mexican government signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, relinquishing significant swaths of territory to the United States, including California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. The Mexican-American War had far-reaching impacts on the United States, and this article will examine those effects and their origins.
The 1846 war between Mexico and the United States was a complex and multifaceted conflict, driven by territorial disputes, ideological differences, and economic interests. Although multiple factors contributed to the conflict, the primary reason for the Mexican-American War in 1846 was the dispute over Texas annexation, fueled by American expansionist ambitions and Mexico's refusal to recognize Texas as a sovereign state. The conflict can be traced back to the strained relationship between Mexico and Texas, which had been brewing for years. The territorial issues surrounding Texas, including the Transcontinental Treaty of 1819 and Spain's limited claim to the territory, also contributed to the conflict.
INTRODUCTION Throughout the 1840s and 1850s a major war happened called the Mexican American War which drastically changed the U.S. and Mexico and lead to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to be signed and which established the Rio Grande and not the Nueces River as the U.S Border. This also lead to the U.S. annexation of Texas and lead to the Mexico agreeing to sell California and the rest of the territory for 15 million. So you 're probably wondering why the war was fought but you 'll find that out later.
Manifest destiny also affected the relationship with Mexico. Several factors led to the Mexican- American War in 1846. The factors were that the U.S citizens were moving into California and Mexico. Since there were many revolutions happening in Mexico throughout this time period the Mexican government was not able to protect the U.S citizens in this region. Another factor was that Mexico was upset that Texas declared independence from them and then the U. S annexed Texas in 1845.
As stated before, the US was justified in going to war with Mexico because of three reasons, Americans were killed, Texas was already annexed, and Manifest Destiny allows it. The United states had many superb reasons for going to war with Mexico. This essay is significant because it helps explain the United States’ choice to go to war with
The US did not not have solid reasons to do so besides their own greed, so the US hid behind the idea of Manifest Destiny and tried to justify their actions. John O’Sullivan was the New York City journalist who coined the term Manifest Destiny. He said, “Imbecile and distracted, Mexico never can exert any real government authority over such a country…’’ (O’Sullivan, 8). O’Sullivan and the US suggested that Mexico “needed” the US to come and take over, because otherwise Mexico was going to fall apart. Although this was somewhat true, the US did not try to help Mexico through this difficult time; instead, the US took advantage of Mexico’s weakness and tried to take over completely.
The Mexican-American War changed the Unites States of America in a monumental way. This war changed The U.S.A.’s relationship with foreign powers and the economic standpoint of the nation. The Mexican- American war, and its strong ties to manifest destiny, shaped the nation in a country bordered by two seas with a chance for common folk and foreigners to have a sustainable life due to the gold rush. The war can also be accounted for the downfall leading to the Civil War over the conflict of slavery due to the land purchased in the wars treaty. Conflict between Mexico and the United States began when Texas, previously part of Mexico, became part of the United States.
The United States war with Mexico continues to be a divisive topic among many people because of its background. The Mexican-American war was a fight between Mexico and America for land. America’s belief at the time was Manifest Destiny, which meant that they believed that America should extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific ocean. In the end, America benefited from the war and got the land. The United States expanded its size, achieving their dream of Manifest Destiny.