The Mexican-American War DBQ

822 Words4 Pages

With westward expansion becoming more popular, and with people thinking it was their manifest destiny-or God given fate to go west, populations increased. But conflict arose with our southern neighbor Mexico. This conflict could’ve been prevented, or resolved, but instead it grew worse. This conflict is often called the “Mexican American War” but in Mexico it is called the “US Invasion”. On April 24th, 1836 63 American men and officers went just south of the Rio Grande when Mexico attacked. 16 Americans were killed. Both sides had different view on the attack; Mexico believed the United States invaded, but the United States believed Mexico invaded. But alas, the United States did not have valid reasons to go to war with Mexico; even after this. The United States was not justified in going to war with …show more content…

“As a consequence, the Mexican government reaffirmed the instruction to protect the border, meaning the territory located between the Rio Grande, and the Nueces River-an order which led to the battles of Palo ALto and Resaca de la Palma.” (Doc C). This means that when the United States brought troops into Mexico (disputed territory) , Mexico viewed it as an act of war. Mexico brought troops which led to battles. This could’ve been avoided because it was no man's land. Nobody owned it. The battles were fought over confusion. “But now,... Mexico had passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil.”(Doc C). This statement is truly wrong because Mexico went into disputed territory, not into the United States. Both countries claimed the land, and the only reason Americans were killed is because there was confusion. THere could’ve been treaties to prevent this. Both sides thought the disputed territory was their land, causing confusion and a very unreasonable reason to go to

Open Document