Mexican American War Dbq Essay

During Polk’s regime, the ambitious, new leader focused on adding the Oregon country, taking California along with New Mexico from Mexico, and cutting taxes. By the time Polk had been inaugurated, Texas had already fallen into American hands; therefore, Polk prioritized the securement of the Oregon Territory. Polk was playing a dangerous game; if he tried to take the territory from Britain, war would be inevitable and many lives would be unnecessarily cost. Being the daunting character he was, Polk did not back down from a fight. However, his attention was divided because Mexican relations with the U.S. were degrading.

In the letter to the U.S Congress on the debate on war with Mexico, written by Joshua Giddings, it states,’’It seems that the President expected General Taylor to find Mexican citizens located within the United States…’’ To clarify, President Polk knowingly sent General Taylor to look for Mexican citizens in the disputed territory, because he was absolutely positive that Mexicans would be there. Polk sent his military soldiers to an area of land that was unofficially claimed by both America and Mexico. Yet in America’s eyes, this was American soil. And the U.S knew that the Mexican government thought that it was claimed by Mexico.

The Mexican-American War was a war fought between the United States and Mexico during the years 1846-1848. It was the first American war that took place in another country that being Mexico. It pitted a politically divided and militarily unprepared Mexico against the expansionist-minded administration of U.S. President James K. Polk, who believed the United States had a “manifest destiny” to spread across the continent to the Pacific Ocean (History.com) Manifest Destiny was a term used in the 19th century in which Americans felt that it was their destiny and right ‘by god’ to expand their country from coast to coast. President Polk felt the United States needed a westward expansion and the territories he wanted were: California, New Mexico

He wanted to expand the country and he would do it any way that he could, though wanting to avoid war as much as he could as seen when he split the territory known as Oregon between Britain and America. Claiming the land disputed between Mexico and America was different however. Polk offered to pay for the land which is quite puzzling since from his point of view, America already owned the land which causes us to question why he did so. In America’s perspective, that wasn’t necessary since apparently the land was already rightfully a part of the nation so he didn’t have the need to buy it from Mexico. Did he feel that Mexico really did own the land since he was paying them for it?

Essay Outline Topic: Mexican-American War Attention Grabber: Why would this ever start? Would there be a truce between the war? Did it almost start again?

borders...armed with the and the rifle, and marking its trail with schools and colleges, courts and representative halls, mills and meeting- houses” (O’Sullivan 323). Polk also somewhat wanted Texas, but the land he was really after was California. This evidence shows that if the US won Texas then Texas could help them win over California. US also keeps on saying the Mexico is not powerful and has very little authority. (O 'Sullivan 323)

and Mexican forces had taken place in U.S. territory.” “Further, legislators were at odds over whether Polk had the right to unilaterally declare that a state of war

In Document B, President Polk said, “I had ordered and efficient military force to take a position...to meet a threatened invasion of Texas by the Mexican forces….invasion was threatened solely because Texas had determined….to annex herself to our Union,... it was plainly our duty to extend our protection over her citizens and soil.” President Polk then mentioned the attack at the Rio del Norte, where the invasion in Texas happened. This evidence shows the US was justified in going to war with Mexico because Texas was invaded by Mexico, meaning that the U.S. should protect Texas by fighting

According to Charles Sumner from “Objections to the Mexican-American War,” states that “Slaveholders crossed the Sabine River with their slaves, in defiance of the Mexican Ordinance of Freedom.” Along with, “Certainly [Mexico]... might justly charge our citizens with disgraceful robbery, while, seeking an extension of slavery [our own citizens denied] the great truths of American freedom.” Furthermore, this evidence shows that the US was not justified in going to war with Mexico because Mexico did not allow slavery in their territory. The United States violated the Mexican Ordinance of

“it was God’s plan that America extend its territory.” (Roden 317) God wants America to take Texas. The Mexicans are “limiting our greatness checking the fulfillment of our Manifest Destiny” (O’Sullivan 323) People are wrongly stopping God’s plan. Later America got Texas, California, and Oregon Territory.(Roden 317)

When Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821, a string of ruthless dictators and weak presidents made Mexico an easy target for its powerful neighbor, the United States. The US swooped in to expand its territory and its popular institution of slavery. By doing so, the US started a war with Mexico that was justified for illegitimate reasons. The Mexican-American War was not justified because the US took Mexico’s land for the expansion of slavery, and justified their taking advantage of Mexico when it was politically weak by hiding behind Manifest Destiny.

was not justified into going into war with Mexico was that the Annexation of Texas was unofficial. “From Mexico’s point of view, the annexation of Texas was inadmissable for both legal and security reasons.” (Marquez 327). This quote shows that Mexico viewed this annexation as an unofficial and unfair act against the government and citizens of Mexico. Polk’s act of extending borders to California was also seen as unfair because that land belonged to Mexico.

The United States of America has been through many wars, wars concerning many things such as land oil, pride and respect. However, when the United States went to war with Mexico, it was planned over greed. The Mexican- American war was a war provoked by the United States, in efforts to expand the coasts of the country. Mexico was a small underprivileged country who had previously to the war had already lost part of their country (Texas). Needless to say this war was cut throat and violent, it was however one of the smartest business decisions America has ever made.

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.

A main piece of evidence supporting that claim is the 16 Americans that the Mexicans killed on supposed “American Soil”. However, those 16 Americans were killed in disputed the land. The land was not Mexico’s, nor was it America’s, it was basically unclaimed. Both Mexico’s and America’s viewpoints on their borders were different, so that is most likely the reason behind the disputed land. Additionally, President Polk knew about the border issues, and expected Mexicans to be there.