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Comparing Manifest Destiny And Graebner's The Mexican-American War

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The Mexican-American War of 1846-1848 was a turning point in the Americas, where the territory of the United States expanded and the landscape of North America changed. However, the question behind the motive for the war is whether it was an act of American imperialism motivated by territory or whether the reasons were mixed. The discussion examines the perspectives of distinguished historians Ramon Eduardo Ruiz and Norman A. Graebner. In Manifest Destiny and the Mexican War, Ramon Eduardo Ruiz argues that the war was American imperialism. He explains that "the war was an exercise in American expansionism, fueled by a belief in America's divine mission to expand its territorial boundaries." In contrast, Graebner, in “The Mexican War: A Study in Causation,” emphasizes domestic politics and …show more content…

To further support his argument, including political speeches, and military actions taken by the United States during the time of pre-war. Overall, I find his argument to be persuasive; he presents evidence that compels a case of imperialism. His emphasis on Manifest Destiny and the actions taken by the government to expand provides insights into the complex motives behind the war. Graebner challenges the idea that the Mexican-American war was simply American imperialism. He argues that while manifest destiny played a role in shaping Americans' views on expansion, the causes were multifaceted and were deeply rooted in several factors including political, economic, and regional differences. Graebner highlights the desire for America to see these ports and trade routes they could use to their advantage. The expansion of slavery also contributed to tensions between the United States and Mexico and points to the Texas annexation controversy and the influence of slave interests as factors that influenced the United States' approach to expansion and relations with

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