Mexican War Dbq Analysis

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

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.

The true spark if the war was lit when America annexed Texas without the permission of Mexico. Along with this, America chooses to ignore Mexico’s decisions all in all. The 11th president of the United States was President Polk. President Polk was for the Mexican American War and even decided to asked for Congress approval to declare war on Mexico in ‘President Polk’s Address to Congress Calling for a Declaration of War’. In President Polk’s Address to Congress Calling for a Declaration of War, May 11, 1846, “...The Mexican Government refused all negotiation, and have made to proposition of any kind.”

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.

The Mexican- American War took place place from 1846-1848. The war marked the first U.S conflict that was ever fought on foreign soil. Mexico entered the war with a politically divided country and an unprepared military. The U.S president James K. Polk and administration believed that the United States had a “manifest destiny” to spread across the North American continent to the Pacific Ocean.  

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 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.

Although the Mexican Government did not declare war on the U.S, on May 13, 1846 the U.S declares war on the Mexican Government with expensive aftermath. The Mexican War became the first war to to be fought outside of its borders. It added half a million square miles of territory to the U.S, it all started because of northern political interests of a new slave state, Texas. Texas gained its independence from Mexico in 1836, though the Mexican Government encouraged border raids and any type of takeover meant war. 1844, President Polk was not only for re-annexing Texas, but had set his eye on New Mexico, Oregon, and California.

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 Chapter 8 titled “We Take Nothing By Conquest… Thank God” Howard Zinn states that the reason why the United States wanted to take the land away from Mexico was to be able to conquer and expand the territory. John Tyler wanted to initiate the war in order to make Texas a state. On the other hand James Polk wanted Texas to become a state that formed part of the United States. Polk also wanted to take over California and initiated the war by sending American soldiers into the territory.

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

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.

Have you ever wondered what the country would look like if President Polk decided to not start a war with Mexico? President James Polk, who favored the Manifest Destiny, would choose to take another route. In fact, he might focus on a negotiation with the Mexican government, in which he would offer the protection from European countries, the help in building up a stable government, and the establishment of a strong relationship between two countries in exchange for the annexation of Texas and the area of California and New Mexico. Let first take a look at the condition of the two countries before 1846. In 1845, James Polk took the office and he started to aim for gaining new territories.

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.