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Mexican-American War Dbq Analysis

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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. To begin, the war waged against Mexico was unjustifiable because their goal was to expand slavery in the United States. In Document E, house representative Joshua Giddings states his stance on the war, “Mexico has …show more content…

However, this is an invalid argument. The land that Polk tried saying was invaded was actually land that was being disputed between Mexico and America. As, at the time they were having disagreements on where their borders were. Joshua Giddings wrote, “the army was within the United States they could not commit violence upon Mexico… It seems that the President expected General Taylor to find Mexican citizens located within the United States.” Thus, if the land being “invaded” was U.S. territory why would Mexican citizens be found there? They wouldn’t be, and they weren’t. In reality, Mexican citizens were in disputed land that was inhabited by Mexicans long before the U.S. came along thinking it was theirs. To reiterate, to argue the war was just because our land was invaded by Mexico is imprecise as in actuality the land was being

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492 Words | 2 Pages

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….”

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991 Words | 4 Pages

Wars are waged for one reason and one reason only: land. The Mexican War was a war fought between America is its weaker neighbor Mexico. It is often said that the person who started the Mexican War was President Polk. Growing up in Mississippi during the latter years of Spain’s reign in the Southern states, Polk came to despise the Spanish.

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Thirdly, a second reason the Mexican War was not justified because US soldiers were in a disputed area. According to Jesus Velasco Marquez from “A Mexican Viewpoint on the War With the United States,” he states that “From Mexico’s point of view, the annexation of Texas to the United States was inadmissible for both legal and security reasons.” As well as, “The American government acted like a bandit who came upon a

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541 Words | 3 Pages

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.

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806 Words | 4 Pages

Was the War Worth It? Just war; is there ever such a thing? Think about it, when all wars are done, are they ever looked upon as the undoubted most ethical and the best proven solution to the problem? In some cases some may answer yes, however in other situations, some may say the contrary. When considering the Mexican War I believe that the conflict was a positive occurrence that greatly influenced America’s future for the better.

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This is a controversial issue that will be discussed in this essay. The war started in 1846, just like every war, it had its strong supporters and critics. Compared to other wars, the Mexican War seems very small, but in fact, it was not. Thousands of Mexicans and Americans died and half of Mexico was taken by the US as a war prize. So the question is: Was the US justified in going to war with Mexico?

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2370 Words | 10 Pages

The Mexican American war was legitimate pronounced in 1846 which began off with the skirmish of Palo Alto which Mexican troops were in a detriment and needed to escape which were tailed by American trooper's. Each of the fights Mexican troops needed to withdraw from being dwarfed. During the Mexican American War large portions of the American troops were not prepared in the same territory and numerous passed on of sickness than in combat because of absence of essentials this was america greatest test. The American troops win their way to the city of Mexico after the clash of Churubusco to have their last fight which Mexican troops which were debilitated from the loss of fights and troops. Mexican troops that were in president Antonio Lopez put out an incredible resistance yet there captial city was under the United States full control.

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832 Words | 4 Pages

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.

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Jesús Velasco-Márquez, a modern-day Mexican professor of studies wrote an article in 2006 about the Mexican-American War. He said, “US historians refer to this event as ‘The Mexican-American War’, while in Mexico, we prefer to use the term ‘The U.S. Invasion... From Mexico’s point of view, the annexation of Texas to the United States was inadmissible for both legal and security reasons. ’’’ (Velasco-Márquez, 12). During the time of the independence of Texas, Mexico was ruled by the dictator General Antonio López de Santa Anna.

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456 Words | 2 Pages

The current war being held between the United States and Mexico is not only unjust, but it is also another example of the Anglo Saxon need for possessions, and love of sovereignty. I as a former slave know all too well of this American love of supremacy, I was once shackled myself by the tyranny of slavery. I believe now Mexico may be America’s next victim of oppression, I fear that they may suffer the same fate as the slaves in America, when Mexico indisputably loses this war against America’s insatiable ambition for land. It can not be denied that President Polk has enticed Mexico into this War, with his unnecessary acts of aggression, such as his release of troops to the Mexican Border. It can be concluded that President Polk's and the

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889 Words | 4 Pages

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.

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and Mexican forces had taken place in U.S. territory.” “Further, legislators were at odds over whether Polk had the right to unilaterally declare that a state of war

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925 Words | 4 Pages

The United States of America has been through many wars, wars concerning many things such as land oil, pride and respect. However, when the United States went to war with Mexico, it was planned over greed. The Mexican- American war was a war provoked by the United States, in efforts to expand the coasts of the country. Mexico was a small underprivileged country who had previously to the war had already lost part of their country (Texas). Needless to say this war was cut throat and violent, it was however one of the smartest business decisions America has ever made.

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1083 Words | 5 Pages

Although the United States war against Mexico resulted in the gaining of America’s most valuable land, the war itself wasn’t legitimate because of the revolution in Texas, motivation for superiority, and the U.S. government’s actions. To begin, the Texans began an unreasonable war because they didn’t follow Mexico’s laws and conditions. When Mexico started selling cheap land, they set conditions for the people moving in. The people had to convert to Catholicism, learn Spanish, become a Mexican citizen, and have no slaves. Many Americans didn’t like being told what to do, and disobeyed the rules and laws.

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568 Words | 3 Pages

As stated before, the US was justified in going to war with Mexico because of three reasons, Americans were killed, Texas was already annexed, and Manifest Destiny allows it. The United states had many superb reasons for going to war with Mexico. This essay is significant because it helps explain the United States’ choice to go to war with

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