Mexico And The United States Were At Fault For Going To War Dbq

In 1846, both Mexico and the United States were at fault for going to war. The main factor causing the conflict between the two countries was the disputed area, Texas. Texas won its freedom from Mexico in 1836. It then aspired to join itself to America. Problems arose as a result of Mexico's continued claim to the area. By establishing a treaty with Mexico without consulting the Mexican government, the United States made the situation worse. Hence, Mexico and the United States are both at fault for the Mexican-American war.
First and foremost, after gaining independence from Mexico, Texas wanted annexation by the US. Texas wished to be a member of the United States, as stated by Polk in document B. Polk responded to this by setting restrictions to safeguard US residents living in Texas. Sixteen Americans were slain by the Mexican military who crossed the border. Americans were killed on what was regarded as American land, which led to Polk receiving support from the Senate and the House of Representatives and enabling him to declare war on Mexico.
Second, the United States breached the line Mexico had drawn into what Mexico deemed its territory. Velasco-Marquez asserted that Texas' annexation was unacceptable for security concerns, as was specified in document C. The pact between the United States and Texas was

Although Mexico had outlawed slavery in Texas, as stated in document D, the Americans who came there brought their slaves rather than obeying the laws. This provoked Mexico to attempt to initiate a war. The document also mentioned that Mexico intended to accuse American people who owned slaves of "disgraceful robbery." The Americans, according to Sumner, "denied the great truths of American freedom." The United States' inability to abide by the laws and regulations that the Mexican government had created provided Mexico with additional justification for starting a