Dbq Mexican War

The Mexican-American War was started because the president Polk strongly believed that “Texas… was just a first step towards the realization of a far greater, God-given goal: that of a United States stretching from shore to shore, taking its place in the world as Europe’s equal.” This goal of a United States that has taken over a large portion of the North American continent is the idea of Manifest Destiny. It was a very common Democratic idea during that time, with many people agreeing with it and wanting to act upon it. So when Polk became president, he took the opportunity and it was a driving force behind the start of this war. But it was also a driving force behind the ending of this war.

Between the years 1846-1848 the U.S. was at war with Mexico over the conflict of Texas. In 1824 a group of Americans known as The Old Three Hundred, led by Stephen Austin, traveled to Texas to create a U.S. settlement under Mexican conditions. These people brought with them their culture and language, but Mexico did not approve. Mexico got even angrier when, after gaining independence in 1836, Texas annexed into America in 1845. This made Mexico furious and conspiracy theories started to brew saying that this land grab was America’s plan all along.

In the Mexican-American war of 1846 the United States of America was justified in going to war with Mexico because of many reasons. First Texas decided that did not want to part of Mexico they wanted to be part the Union (United States). It was America’s Manifest Destiny to go out and conquer the land, and the Mexican government wasn’t stable enough to handle their lands. “Texas had determined…to annex herself to our Union” because of the increasing numbers of American settlers that filled the northern part of the Rio Grande. This led Texans to successfully go for an annexation causing a war between the United States and Mexico.

In the war between Mexico and the United States, was from 1864-1848. The reason for this war was because the United States wanted to expand across the North America. Americans believe that they had the god given the right to expand across North America because they were more civilized also, more Americans were settling in western lands. The United States offered the Mexican government of large lump sum of money and Mexican Government refused to sell Half of the country. They saw America as a dangerous country and didn't want to reside next to them.

Polk spread the rumor that it was their “manifest destiny” to extend America’s territory to the Pacific Ocean. Historians today ask the question: Was the United States justified in going to war with Mexico? The United States was not justified, because the United States were greedy for land, “manifest destiny” is weak excuse, and because of the human cost. The United States had its eye on expand its territory and started with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

The United States was not justified in going to war with Mexico. In Document A John L. O’Sullivan said, “..our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence (God)...” During this time period America was

During the early to mid 1800’s, one of Mexico’s priorities was to encourage American farmers to settle in Texas, a Mexican province at the time, allowing the economic growth and benefit of both Countries. Little did the Mexicans know, having opposite beliefs, this would lead to one of the most important conflicts in history. Having engaged in war with Mexico, were the Americans justified? I believe the Americans were justified, especially with having Manifest Destiny playing an important role in the overtake of Mexico’s northern land. In the process of negotiation, American troops were shot and killed by the Mexicans because they believed it was a declaration of war.

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.

This war happened mainly because the U.S. wanted to expand to the Pacific Ocean to fulfill their Manifest Destiny, trying to take away Mexico’s land. Mexico refused to to give land to the U.S. The big question is whether the U.S. was justified in fighting Mexico in the Mexican-American War. The United States was justified in going to war with Mexico because Manifest Destiny, too much Mexican interference, and Texas was invaded. One reason the Mexican War was justified was Manifest Destiny. In Document A, John O’Sullivan writes: “Texas is now ours...Let their reception into the “family be frank, kindly, and cheerful….”

Was the United States justified in going to war with Mexico? The United States was not justified in going to war with Mexico because they did not respect their laws, culture, and their beliefs. Second of all, this evidence shows that the US was not justified in going to war because it was useless to fight if the Mexicans were going to lose Texas if it was not now, it would be later on. Truly, it was very clear that the Americans won the war because Texas wanted to become part of the US, and the United States wanted to adopt Texas into their union.

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.

The United states was longing to annex,or take land into a country, California. One reason the Mexican War was justified

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.