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….”
a. The War with Mexico i. Polk wants control over ALL of Mexico, between Texas and Pacific Ocean- willing to go to war ii. Texas Republic accepted statehood in 1845=1845 Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with the US iii. Polk intimated Mexican Gov- Zachary Taylor occupy all the lands in the Nucese River and Rio Grande iv. Sent John Slidell to Mexico city- to secure Mexican acceptance of the Rio Grande boundary and to buy Mexico and CA- officials did not see him v. Alternate plan was to start a CA revolution (like Texas) to get independence and join the US vi. Polk ordered naval commanders to seize CA 's coastal towns (in case of war) and sent John C Fremont 's troops into Mexico vii.
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.
Polk did not want war, but he wanted American claims met and he wanted more territory. Polk was, first of all, determined to defend the borders of the United States, which he believed extended to the Rio Grande. Second, he was prepared to pay handsomely for as much territory as Mexico was willing to sell. The Santa Anna Mexican president at that time sent 6000 troops to Texas and during the conflict there were several battles that took place. Abraham Lincoln gained notoriety when he lashed out against the Mexican War, calling it immoral, proslavery, and a threat to the nation's republican values.
The Mexican American War (1846-1848) is one of the first significant events leading up to this eruption; it marked the first armed conflict fought in Mexico’s territories. President James K Polk was the president of the United States at the time of this war and he claimed that the Mexican troops had illegally crossed into American territory, ambushing the American soldiers killing many of Polk’s men. So in revenge Polk opposed war against the Mexicans and invaded the Aztec empire. On February 2, 1848 the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed making the Rio Grande the border between the United States and Mexico. The United States also gained the rights to California and New Mexico in this war making the nations territory bigger and much
The Mexican-American war altered the United States environmentally, culturally and politically. First, on February 2, 1848, Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo two years post the beginning of the war. The treaty not only achieved President Polk’s goal to achieve California from Mexico but also granted the U.S. over 500,000 square miles of new territory. The new land caused approximately 90,000 spanish speaking, mostly Catholic Mexicans under American jurisdiction. Second, Nativism, a rising anti-catholic and anti-immigrant deemed the Mexicans inferior.
The land hunger of the U.S was one of the reasons why the Mexican War came to be. The U.S had just barely gained Texas, but decided that the land was bigger than what Texas should have been, they thought that the Rio Grande was the border of Texas. (Doc A)
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.
Greenberg states how “Polk’s ambitious involved more than Texas alone, and they were growing larger with each U.S. victory.” Polk was almost certain that a few battles would cause Mexico to capitulate, but Mexico was not losing without a
Throughout various articles, facts have lead to the belief that the Mexicans were responsible for starting the Mexican War. The dilemmas began to appear when Mexico failed to recognize Texas as an independent state. The president of Mexico at the time, Antonio de Santa Anna, signed an agreement in Texas for their freedom but neglected it as soon he came back to Mexico. Afterward, The United States annexed Texas and Mexico cut off all relations with the U.S. The communication between them was completely dissolved and Mexico refused to negotiate with any American.
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.
INTRODUCTION Throughout the 1840s and 1850s a major war happened called the Mexican American War which drastically changed the U.S. and Mexico and lead to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to be signed and which established the Rio Grande and not the Nueces River as the U.S Border. This also lead to the U.S. annexation of Texas and lead to the Mexico agreeing to sell California and the rest of the territory for 15 million. So you 're probably wondering why the war was fought but you 'll find that out later.
There were many important causes and effects of the Spanish American War. In the 1880’s the U.S. wanted to achieve manifest destiny and so they expanded out west and took control over the Native Americans. There were four different motives that the United States could’ve used to imperialize: political and military interest and economic interest were mostly with trading. Humanitarian and religious interest, to help those that you have allied with or to spread religion and the rich help those who were “under privileged.” Lastly, social darwinism, the idea that you are superior than someone else.
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.
The United states was longing to annex,or take land into a country, California. One reason the Mexican War was justified
