American History : The Mexican American War Essay

The Mexican War was viewed as one of the most controversial wars in United States history. Originating from the annexation of Texas, or the lack thereof in Mexico’s eyes, the final spark to cause the war was an incident between soldiers of both countries in disputed land. Both Mexico and the US claimed to have been provoked by the other, and that they were only protecting their country. Many US citizens argued the war, as it appeared President Polk was using it for reasons other than self defense. By going to war with Mexico, the US faced the possibility of gaining much more of Mexico’s land and extending slavery in the country. The United States' decision to go to war with Mexico was based on a desire to extend slavery, to gain land they had

Mexican American War The Mexican American War had a huge impact on the history of both countries. For the U.S. the war was troublesome for the northern republic as it was, exacerbated by the slavery issue and by conflicting politics in Washington. There were also territorial gains made by the United States. For Mexico, the war was a series of tragedies.

The perception of history is often crafted by the information given and the information available, however, almost too often the facts accessible are warped by the viewpoints of others before they can be properly assessed. Differing outlooks thus explicate the controversial nature of historical events and why the motives and conclusions behind certain occurrences are called into question. The Mexican American war as many American historians would call it ushers a contrary tone in Mexico as their own historians would claim the “war” as United States invasion; the difference in referral is based on the different perceptions of the conflict. In the American viewpoint, the Mexican American War was driven by economic, social and political pressures to bolster United States territories, through the annexation of Texas. In the converse, it could be argued that Mexico did not declare a formal war against the United States but rather was interested in defending their country’s territorial integrity and resisting United State’s invasion. In a Mexican viewpoint then, the war was not a result of arrogance but a consequence of defending Mexican territory from United States invasion. Nonetheless the aftermath of the war produced immense repercussions, furthering American exceptionalism, slavery, and disregard for international borders prompting the inquiry of not only the unjust methods applied but the unjustified results.

that President Polk had no right to do what he did. It is said that

The Mexican American War fought from 1846 to 1848 was a battle over territory and the first conflict conducted entirely on foreign land. James K. Polk, the United States eleventh President, was an ambitious, growth motivated president who wanted to spread the United States continent to the Pacific Ocean. Mexico, led by Santa Anna, on the other hand was politically divided and had a military completely unprepared for battle. The American government had over 50,000 volunteers added to their army to help fulfill Polk’s “manifest destiny” to expand United States territory. The victor of this war would either greatly expand their land or keep their already owned land (Nardo 27,48,52). Even though the Mexican American War was not a well known war

The Mexican war between two neighbors, The United states and Mexico during 1846 to 1848 was a defining for both the nations. United States became a continental power as Mexico lost half of its territory, the present American Southwest from Texas to California.

The Mexican-American War was a result from the rising conflict between Mexico and the United States on who has the rights for Texas after Texas gained its independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836. Before Texas annexed with the United States on December 29, 1845, it was an independent state with 9 years of being free from Mexico . Although Mexico never acknowledged Texas to secede from them, the Texans and the United States did so the U.S. decided to add Texas as the 28th state. After Texas gained its independence from Mexico, Mexico still believed Texas was a part of them but the United States proceeded to annex Texas because Texas was already independent. As a result, this caused conflict with the United States and Mexico, which led to the Mexican-American.

While it is the country’s job to shape itself, it is man who defines what that country, in fact, represents. The Mexican-American War showed citizens how “…the war and its unintended consequences shaped the meaning of American identity, ethics, and patriotism” . The U.S.-Mexican conflict proposed questions that struck at the heart of American culture. “What would become of slavery?” Southerners asked themselves; while abolitionists fought against the institution in the North, on the western front soldiers protected America from becoming divided. However, little did citizens know that the U.S.-Mexican conflict would further separate the North’s and the South’s opinions on certain issues. These –the consequences of war- could be seen in how slavery became the forefront of American problems. As great figureheads strove to claim more land for America, the unbalanced ratio of free to slave states would suffocate American culture under the weight of its own problems. The War created a new flourishing generation of leaders to help America settle those problems which emerged. This was partially because the Mexican-American War forced citizens to address issues that they had been avoiding for some time now. Amidst the political scene rose a question that haunted American minds for decades: what are the consequences to the lust for war and American actions as a whole?

Today, the Mexican-American War is still a widely argued topic of controversy with Mexico and America. But now, this hot topic of controversy can be put to rest. Was the U.S. justified in going to war with Mexico? The United States was justified in going to war with Mexico because Texas had been free and wanted to be annexed into the U.S., Mexico attacked U.S troops, and Mexico let U.S citizens in.

The Mexican-American War is one of the deadliest wars in U.S. History. This war was a Battle driven by Manifest Destiny for the Americans to acquire the territory of Texas that they felt belonged to them. But Mexico refused to give up the territory to the United States. The war consisted of several issues between the United States and Mexico that couldn’t be negotiated or resolved without the use of force. After a border incident between Mexican and American troops. President Polk declared war on April 25, 1846 against the Republic of Mexico.

“The United States Invasion” One of the most controversial topics in the United States is the Mexican War, or the war with Mexico. Ten years before the War was fought Texas declared its independence. The Mexican War started in 1846 and ended in 1848. (Timeline) Also, one year after the war ended California was admitted to the U.S and became a state.

In Robert Johannsen’s Book, To the Halls of the Montezumas, it is explained how the Mexican-American War was america’s first major foreign war. He believes that this war defined American people because of the use of new technologies to establish America as an international power. Americans felt as if, for the first time, they were fighting against a foreign power rather than simply fighting of land. Johannsen tells the story of this war through the eyes of the people instead of just telling us the facts. By doing this he gives us the opportunity to see how people of the time truly perceived the war and what factors influenced these perceptions.

The American-Mexican war of 1846 may have come and gone, it did have some after effect on the parties involved. In the aftermath of the war, fifteen young Mexican men, who had participated in the war and lived to tell it shared their experience. These group of young Mexicans came together to write a book called “Apuntes”; the book talks about the effects the war had on both countries and lessons learnt. In their analysis of the war, they argue that although the war had its fallout on both countries, the consequences were both long and short term. In the case of a short term, the Americans were able to quickly acquire the territory they fought for, although this acquisition would later be the basis for another deadly and costly war- the Civil War. On the other hand, the Mexicans may have lost the war and their original territory, but the war thought them how to possess their new found land and strengthen their country. However, the Mexicans felt sorrowful that their land was invaded and their

The Mexican War was a battle with the United States and Mexico over the border of Texas. Many people argue if the USA had good enough reasons to declare war on Mexico. Therefore, those people argue that a war was unnecessary. The primary sources show that war was necessary to solve the problem.

In 1846-1848 was the first time the U.S would fight a war on foreign soil, it was called the Mexican-American war. At this time Mexico was just starting to develop into a government and was extremely confused and leadership was split between decisions. While the U.S government was head over heels about pushing the country’s borders farther and farther across North America with only expansion in his mind. President James K. Polk faith was in one thing and one thing only to the Manifest Destiny. He believed that the country shouldn’t be limited to just the Atlantic coastline that it should be connected to the Pacific Ocean as well. It began alongside the Rio Grande.