preview

Manifest Destiny Research Paper

Decent Essays

As the years progressed, the United States was willing to acquire new land. In 1803 the US received the Louisiana territory from France and in 1819, Spain ceded Florida to the US. Citizens of the US however believed it was their right given by God to rule over the whole continent. In order to do that, the US needed Mexico to give up land. Mexico had received independence from Spain in 1821. Texas was annexed by the US from Mexico in 1845. Mexico was not happy about this and the whole conflict had started the Mexican American War which started in 1846 and America won in 1848. As a result, the US gained the rest of the states that make up the United States. The benefits of the Manifest Destiny such as new land and a more advanced political view …show more content…

In 1845, the US annexed Texas from Mexico. This was because of the disputed territory and each country’s perspective on where the border is. The US believed that the Rio Grande was the border between Mexico and Texas but Mexico believed that the Nueces River was the border between Texas and Mexico. The Mexican American War started because American Soldiers, Zachary Taylor and Thornton were attacked in the territory north of the Rio Grande (O.I.). Prior to America receiving the land that was won from Mexico, America was on defense ready to make a treaty or start a war with Mexico for the land. Soldiers would guard between America and Mexico borders because that was undecided land. America’s point of view is that the Mexicans started the war because the soldiers were said to be attacked on American territory meaning that the Mexicans wanted to start conflict with America. (Doc A). Before the Mexican American War, Mexico wasn’t happy with America because the US had annexed Texas from Mexico.The annexation of Texas would let Great Britain know that America is expanding. America wanted to be viewed as politically and militarily superior (Doc C). Receiving Texas was the first step to America realizing their Manifest Destiny and wanting to increase their territory. Some citizens believed that the positives outcome of the Mexican American War was worth the …show more content…

Some of the negative consequences of the Manifest Destiny was conflict with Mexico and more slavery in the new acquired territory. In the Mexican American war, there were two perspectives on that issue. The Mexican perspective is that America started the war because American troops were on Mexican land and the Mexicans thought the Americans would attack them so they started defending themselves (Doc B). The American perspective was complete opposite than the Mexicans and this conflict would remain between the two countries for many years. Following the Mexican American war was the California Gold Rush. The Gold Rush occurred from 1848-1855 (O.I.). Everyone would go out to California because there was abundant gold in that territory. However, people didn’t know what to expect. Many individuals became selfish and wanted to go out west to become rich. With all these people moving out westward, there needed to be a sense of order. Also, as people moved west, the Native Americans felt threatened of their land and always felt like the minority. (Doc F). With all the commotion westward, the Native Americans felt threatened. One reason being that with all the people westward, the transcontinental railroad was built to make transportation easier. This was a huge benefit in society however a very negative thing to the Native Americans. The transcontinental railroad caused many buffalo to die out which

Get Access