Mexican American War Dbq Essay

According to James Polk’s War Message,Washington, May 11, 1846, he states “I had ordered an efficient military to take position between the Nueces and the Del Norte.” This quote proves that between the Nueces and the Del Norte was Mexico’s land, that Mexico was just trying to protect. According to Jesus Velasco-Marquez from “A Mexican Viewpoint on the War With the United States”, Jesus states, “In the eyes of the [Mexican] government, the mobilization of the US army was an outright attack on Mexico.” This evidence shows that Mexico viewed the mobilization of the U.S army as an attack on them, and that Mexico wasn’t trying to escalate things, they were just trying to protect their

“In the eyes of the Mexican government, the mobilization of the US army was an outright attack on Mexico”(Doc C paragraph 3). America was getting their military ready for battle. Maybe if President Polk hadn’t been so greedy with Texas, he wouldn’t have sent troops down there in the first place to protect it. This quote shows the Mexican War was unjustified because US troops entered Mexican territory first starting the war. “In July 1845, he sent American troops under General Zachary Taylor into the disputed area of southern Texas”(Background Essay Paragraph Seven). This once again proved the same reason that America sent troops into Mexico first driving Mexico to protect themselves. Mexico had good reasons for attacking our troops first. American troops were on Mexican territory and they were probably just about to shoot as well. This reason shows that America was not justified to go to war with Mexico because American troops trespassed on Mexican

Mexico does not have a voice in this conversation. It is a more preferred to have the best candid approach that all sides are given on the actual account. Neither of these accounts takes part of the losing side. While both Walter Nugent’s Polk trying to be a broader on both sides perhaps trying to save face with Mexico while stilling having the pride and authority natural of America in justification of taking land and defended the right to do so. Norman A Grarbner His retelling show Polk as a man who was not looking to provoke war but the expansion of military was to add protection and defense from Mexico. Both agree that because Mexico was in a vulnerable position that it left Mexico open for their own land to be taken and their authority to be belittled and ignored. It was the consciousness and understanding by the leaders and generals within America that are in question. Was there willing ignorance for Polk like Nugent suggest or was there an honest attempt at pocketing land in a good nature as Grarbner brings up?

One reason that the Mexican War was not justified was that Polk was the one that wanted and provoked the war. This is what President Polk said, “... I had ordered an efficient military force to take a position between the Nueces and the Del Norte(Rio Grande).”(Polk, 325) This quote shows that Polk purposely brought a military force into Mexico because of what they thought was a threat that threatened Texas. This is also what Polk said in his war message, “...sixty-three men and officers, were...dispatched from the American Camp up the Rio Del Norte,...to ascertain whether the Mexican troops had cross, or were preparing to cross, the river…”(Polk, 325) This information provides an example that the Americans were basically planning and waiting

During this period, it was unclear what country owned Texas. America tried to peacefully negotiate with Mexico but they were surprisingly attacked by Mexico. This shows that America had no choice but to declare war against Mexico. In Document B, President Polk writes that, “Mexican troops, and, after a short affair, in which some sixteen Americans were killed and wounded.” In this document, President James Polk sends a request to Congress to start war. He explains the attack that occurred when American troops entered Texas. Several soldiers were killed north of the

When the US was accused of crossing the river they had not even yet had passed it. The congress of Texas on December 19, 1836 declared the Rio grande to be the border between Mexico and Texas. (Doc B) So technically Mexico had not reason to shoot and kill 16 American soldiers. (doc C) “A party of 63 men and officers, were dispatched from the American camp,to ascertain whether the Mexican troop had crosses” . The Americans soldiers were just checking up on the Mexicans and they were innocent. When President Polk heard this he knew it was a reason to go to war against

[The Mexican war is a controversial topic amongst the U.S and people have different opinions on whether it was justified to or to no go to war with Mexico. The whole war began over a dispute between Mexico and the U.S on where the border between the two countries should be. Mexico consistently stated that the border was the Nueces River, however the U.S disagreed and said the border was the Rio Grande River. This was the central idea for why the war started, but there are other reasons that led up to the war such as when Mexico murdered sixteen American soldiers and the Annexation of Texas, however we didn’t do anything to hurt Mexico.]Therefore, the United States was justified in going to war with Mexico because of the Manifest Destiny and the sixteen soldiers that were killed.

The second reason the US was unjustified is that Polk really provoked Mexico. President Polk strongly believed in Manifest Destiny. He believed that it was a plan of God to kick out Mexicans and let the US grow. He stole Texas from Mexico. This is from Document B. This evidence shows that the US was unjustified in going to war because he thought Manifest Destiny was a plan of God.

In conclusion, the United States of America was justified in going to war with Mexico because Mexico killed a lot of Americans and put their blood on America's land and that is what really caused the war between the United States of America and

In a U.S. Congress debate on the war, Joshua Giddings said, “The order was to abstain from all aggressive acts toward ‘Mexican citizens.’ It seems that the President expected General Taylor to find Mexican citizens located within the United States…” To summarize what Joshua Giddings said, Polk’s orders prove that he expected Mexicans to be located within U.S. territory, and what country would expect foreigners on their own territory? Unless it is not officially their territory, which means President Polk sent soldier to disputed territory with the knowledge that Mexico would consider it an act of war, due to the tensions between the countries, therefore, the President obviously intended to create conflict with Mexico. Polk was elected by running on the promise to expand the nation, which included annexing Texas. It took nine years to annex Texas, and in which the tensions between Mexico and America continued to rise in that time. This means that Polk knew that annexing Texas would only make things worse between the disputing countries and could possibly trigger a

“Restless spirits, discontented at home… joined them… the work of rebellion sped.” (Sumner 329) It shows they rebelled. “But now,... Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil.” (Polk 325) The Americans made claims that were false. The land between the Rio Del Norte is the American border. (Polk 325) Not their official land. Mexicans passed the border. (Pole 325) Mexico did nothing wrong. The Americans were not justified because they broke Mexico’s rules. They broke too many rules to be justified in a war that could have been easily

Polk has stated,”They became engaged with a large body of these Mexican troops….”(Polk 325). The U.S. troops were attacked unjustly and no negotiation was even taken. Jesus Velasco-Marquez wrote,”In the eyes of the (Mexican) government the mobilization of the U.S. army was an outright attack on Mexico.” (Velasco-Marquez 317). The Mexican government didn’t even see if the U.S. was attacking or not they just attacked without even asking what the Americans were there for. Another piece of evidence from the background essay tells about how John Slidell, a special envoy, or person who buys land, tried peacefully to obtain California, the Mexican government asked him to leave.(Background essay 317). The government did not listen because they were angry that U.S. was purchasing land which the U.S. needed for their growing population. O’Sullivan affirms this and says,” ...for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions.” (O’Sullivan 323). This quote proves that the U.S. was growing and needed more land. This evidence shows America was justified in going to war because Mexico attacked us first and that called war on themselves.

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.

During this war there were petitions made to James K. Polk to end the war in Mexico. He was given reasons on why to stop war. They were favorable reasons for both countries. It was very expensive to continue with the war and it would have not killed many innocents if the United States would have withdrawn its troops. The United States knew it was stronger than the Mexican troops and still didn’t want to leave until they obtained what they came for. We could have negotiated a different way. It was probably the

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 under privileged 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.