Mexican American War Dbq

The Mexican War, commonly known as the Mexican-American War, was the war fought by the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848. Controversy surrounding the annexation of Texas to the United States predicted war with Mexico and swayed the votes of candidates during the Election of 1844. During the Election of 1844, James K. Polk, an advocate for expansionism, campaigned against Henry Clay, who was in opposition of adding Texas to the Union. Clay lost many of his voters when he tried to encourage the voters to rally against Texas’ annexation. Eventually, Polk assumed the role as president after defeating Clay in the rather close Election of 1844. As president, Polk sought to obtain Texas, Oregon, and the entire Southwest region. While the

The key factors that led to the Mexican-American War were the nation’s omnipresent sense of expanding the country, Texas’ annexation to the United States and the fact that Mexico refused to relinquish Texas’ independence. The idea of manifesting destiny was widespread throughout the United States during the nineteenth century. It suggested that American expansion was not only inevitable, but also a divine right and the duty as an American. With such a strong sentiment and an expansionist president leading the country, the U.S. sought to conquer territory from coast to coast. Mexico appeared to be a conspicuous target for fulfilling the manifest destiny because of its’ immensity and wealth. To acquire the entire area of Mexico, the United States would grow tremendously. Additionally, Mexico appeared to be in debt with the United States. In order to get the

When the Mexican-American War ended in February of 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was created to settle the dispute between the United States and Mexico. The United States had defeated Mexico, which gave them the obligation of establishing post-war terms. During this time, the Mexican government was threatened with disintegration, so Polk tried to take advantage of the situation. Initially, Polk sought to pay Mexico $30 million for the upper and lower regions of California, New Mexico, and permission to travel through Mexico’s isthmus of Tehuantepec. Recognizing that he could acquire more land at a cheaper price, Polk issued an order to Nicholas P. Trist, his chief negotiator. The only problem was that Mexico’s government was continuing to fall apart and eventually, there would be no one left to sign the treaty. Trist finally completed the sixty-five page treaty in early February; in the official Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexico accepted the Rio Grande as the Texas boundary. Mexico also surrendered New Mexico and upper California to the United States. The United States paid Mexico $15 million and took on the claims of the American citizens against Mexico. Following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, some American citizens reside in guilt because they realize that their country went to war with a weaker opponent. The subject regarding