Individual Response Paper Latinos helped shape the U.S. in many diverse historical experiences. During the 1840s John L. O’Sullivan, the editor of the Democratic Review wrote the infamous term Manifest Destiny to label American expansion. Manifest Destiny was a dream and an “American Mission” to expand the country to the Pacific Ocean in the 19th century. To many Americans, it was a God given right because an expansion would offer advancement, income, freedom and even self-sufficiency. We know that without Manifest Destiny, the United States wouldn’t be the size it is today.
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.
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.
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.
The United States war with Mexico was over 160 years ago and still continues to be a divisive and widely debated topic, was it justifiable or not? The first war to be fought mostly on foreign land, was the Mexican-American War that started in 1846. America, lead by President Polk, who believed the U.S had a “manifest destiny”, fought against Mexico who had a weak military and was politically divided. After the war ended in 1848, Mexico lost one-third of its territory which included present-day California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. Although the United States war against Mexico resulted in the gaining of America’s most valuable land, the war itself was unjust because their goal was to expand slavery, Texas was wrong from the beginning, and the war was based on false pretenses.
Was the United states justified in to going into war with mexico? American blood has been spilled! On May 9,1846 Texas became part of the U.S. later on in 1821 Mexico declared itself free from spain. In April 1846 were attacked by the mexican force.
Amanda Martin Mr. Gubellini Humanities I Honors February 15th, 2015 Manifest Destiny In the 1800’s the United States did not only torture and remove the Native Americans from their homelands, they also decided to come up with an excuse called “manifest destiny” to make their expansion westward and taking some of Mexico’s land seem like it was acceptable. Surely enough it did not come without a price. We would have never achieved manifest destiny if it wasn’t for the Texas Revolution, the Annexation of Texas, the Mexican-American War, the Bear Flag Revolt, and conflicts with that Native Americans.
After America declared independence, we had our sights on expanding our land, and we all believed Manifest Destiny. After getting Louisiana from france, the next big part of land was Texas, owned by Mexico. Mexico wanted people to live in Texas because most of their people lived down south in Mexico, so they gave a deal, you can get free land in Texas if you follow three simple rules. You have to be loyal to Mexico, live on the land for ten years, become Catholic, and no slavery. After a while a ton of americans came and there was ten thousand americans, while only two thousand Mexican residents in Texas.
During the late 19th century, many sensed that America was destined to expand from coast to coast. This belief that many Americans had was termed Manifest Destiny. Religion had a significant factor to the faith of expansion, as many stressed that America had divine providence. God was said had the power and was the reasoning behind the growth of the country. Others on the other hand, emphasized that America’s history made it inevitable to spread its borders throughout North America.
During the early to mid 1800’s, one of Mexico’s priorities was to encourage American farmers to settle in Texas, a Mexican province at the time, allowing the economic growth and benefit of both Countries. Little did the Mexicans know, having opposite beliefs, this would lead to one of the most important conflicts in history. Having engaged in war with Mexico, were the Americans justified? I believe the Americans were justified, especially with having Manifest Destiny playing an important role in the overtake of Mexico’s northern land. In the process of negotiation, American troops were shot and killed by the Mexicans because they believed it was a declaration of war.
Walter Nugent believes that the Mexican War was an exercise in American Imperialism, he suggest that America was imperialistic from its very beginnings. Norman Graebner disagrees with Nugent’s theory; he believes that President James Polk took it in his hands and demanded to purchase New Mexico and California from Mexico, however, when Mexico refused Polk, he had no choice but to force the territories which led to the Mexican War. The war has definitely impacted society today. There is a ton of bitterness because of this war, even today presidential candidates have suggested their political views in regards to Mexicans. I believe that the Mexican War was an exercise in American Imperialism because America has always focused on the country’s
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.
This phrase can only be answered through perspective. As all things in history, there are two sides to this. The opinion formulated by this question depends on whether one values the goal or the means used to achieve that goal more. The position in which I take on this is that the ends do not justify the means.
The many battles of the Mexican American war led to what is now the U.S. borders The Mexican American war led to social inequality over Mexican immigrants, a debate on slavery in the new U.S. territory, and a treaty which ended the war. On May 13, 1846 the U.S. declares war with Mexico President James K. Polk requested a war because he wanted more territory Polk wanted to get the U.S. borders changed Polk not only wanted what is now Texas but other U.S. states The U.S. advanced into Mexico on the Rio Grande river. Due to the small population just north of the Rio Grande, the U.S. was able to capture this land very easily The first battle of the war was the battle of Palo Alto.
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.
