On April 24, 1846, a Mexican army attacked American troops with no motive on U.S. soil. The United States of America was right in declaring war on Mexico because of Manifest Destiny, Mexico being aggressive, and Mexico being the ones to attack first. The first reason is Manifest Destiny. Manifest Destiny is the idea that God wanted America to extend its territory further West to the Pacific Ocean, which President James K. Polk believed in. “Polk was a strong believer in Manifest Destiny. He believed it was God’s plan that America extend its territory all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Polk did not just want to annex Texas. He also had his eye on California” (Background Essay). A man named John L. Sullivan believed that Mexico was still too
Which resulted in some conflict. Was the Unites States Justified in going to war with Mexico? Yes, because of mexican invasions, manifest destiny,and increasing population. The first reason the United States was justified in going to war with mexico is because Mexico themselves invaded them. Where United States claimed to be the border (Rio Grande) they sent soldiers to check to see if mexicans would cross the boundary, and when encountered the mexican troops injured and killed 16 of the 63 men dispatched.(Doc B) Mexico also attempted to subdue Americans’ beliefs.
Wars are waged for one reason and one reason only: land. The Mexican War was a war fought between America is its weaker neighbor Mexico. It is often said that the person who started the Mexican War was President Polk. Growing up in Mississippi during the latter years of Spain’s reign in the Southern states, Polk came to despise the Spanish.
In the early-mid 1800’s, there was a belief that the destiny for the United States was to expand to the Pacific Ocean and into Mexican Territory,
That is way Haynes refers to Polk as being “an agent of Manifest Destiny, not its creator”. However, the author demonstrates how well Polk was following the path acknowledged in Manifest: the annexation of Texas, Oregon, California, war with Mexico are perfectly aligned with the idea of the United States being a continental
In this set of materials, both the reading and the listening passages are talking about Manifest Destiny, which is vital political issue in 1844. While the reading mentioning about the history of the Oregon Territory as becoming a part of James Polk’s platform, the listening adds new points to the points made by the reading by talking about voters to this changement. To start with, according to the author, America speedily enlarged its territory by admission of Texas to its Union as the 28th state. However, the lecturer argues that the voters were not eligible to vote for it.
Manifest Destiny is a unique, yet mysterious fundamental series of events in American history. No other country’s history contains such an eventful history as the United States. Amy Greenberg’s book, Manifest Destiny and American Territorial Expansion, provides documented evidence that settlers believed they were destined for expansion throughout the continent. In other words, many religious settlers believed that it was a call from God for the United States to expand west. On the other hand, people believed that Manifest Destiny vindicated the war against Mexico.
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)
Intro: The wild west or west Texas, land coveted by the Americans who believe in Manifest destiny, but guarded by natives who wish to keep their homeland. On this frontier is a series of stories worthy of Shakespeare filled with bravery, danger, tragedy, and confusion. These are those stories. Will: Before the Civil war the frontier was practically owned by the white man, and the Native Americans were almost driven out.
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
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….”
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
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.
Around this time, James K. Polk was president. Polk wanted much more of Texas, plus, he had his eye on California as well. Polk was a strong believer in Manifest Destiny and that was why he wanted to declare war on Mexico. The majority of Congress voted to declare war and it was put into action. The one question
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.