The Causes And Factors Of The Mexican American War

Southern territorial tensions linked to slavery in the mid 1800's. (Doc D) Opposition to annexation of Texas occurred because of avoidance to the problem of Texas being a free or slave state. The Wilmot Proviso provoked huge controversy about the status of the land gained after the Mexican War, the bill would be called upon and debated on furiously for decades to come. Popular sovereignty began to appear in some alternate plans for deciding slavery in the Louisiana Territory. Polk's plan, which proposed to extend the slavery line in the Missouri Compromise to the pacific, aroused further debates for the North and the South. California and New Mexico raised even more questions about the implementation of

The aftermath of the Mexican American warManifest Destiney, the annexation of Texas, and the actions of President John Polk are all factors leading up to the Mexican-american war. It is known that the annexation of Texas was what pushed Mexico leaders over the edge. In 1836 Texas gained independence from Mexico, after becoming an American State the relationship between Mexico and the U.S quickly came to an end. Polk not only had his eyes on Texas but also on California and New Mexico. Polk won the support of the american people by declaring he would complete Americas Manifest Destiny, to reach the West coast. Mexico denied Polk’s offer to buy these lands, leading America to send troops onto disputed territory. April 25, 1846 Mexican troops killed american soldiers on the disputed land, marking the beginning of the war, this was the battle of Palo Alto. The Mexican-American war had a major impact on both Mexico and U.S history. This essay will discuss the political, social, and economical effects between Mexico and the U.S after the Mexican American war.

Did you know that in the Mexican-American War, the US took half of Mexico 's land? After Mexico 's independence from Spain in 1821, the northern lands of Mexico were rarely used. America saw this as an opportunity to expand by seizing Mexico’s northern lands, and took it. They accepted Mexico 's offer to live in Texas, and soon Texas became overrun with Americans. They influenced Texas to go against Mexico, and eventually Texas was won by the US in battle. After that, Mexico and America began having disputes. However, the Mexican-American War officially started when Mexican troops shot American soldiers in the disputed territory. In modern-day, many people take sides about whether it was right or not for America to declare war upon Mexico. In various forms, one of the most controversial questions is, "Did the US have good reasons for starting war with Mexico?". The United States were not justified because they were greedy for land, broke Mexican laws that they agreed to while in Mexico, and created faulty reasons for their actions.

While often thought of as a small and insignificant war fought by the Americans, the Mexican-American War serves a lot of importance to the foundation and history of our country. This war determined whether or not the United States would become a dominant power on the continent and it, more importantly, established the size of the nation. The Mexican-American War lasted from 1846-1848, but by the time President James Polk took office in 1845, United States-Mexico relations were already off to a bad start. While the Mexican-American War was mainly caused by the idea of ‘Manifest Destiny’ and the Texas War for Independence/Annexation, it was also a major turning point in the debate over slavery in the United States because of the Missouri Compromise, Compromise of 1850, and the Wilmot Proviso.

The political factors that tied into Texas being a Southern state before the Civil War relied heavily on who owned slaves. When the people went out to vote for who they wanted to run the state and local governments, it was generally those who owned slaves that won the elections. This meant that the leadership positions, and the overall ideals of the state, functioned under a “southern consensus” (230). The elected officials in Texas were all Democrats with pro-slavery positions, and these Democrats were able to win every “presidential and gubernatiorial election from 1845-1860” (231). These slaveholders held Texas in their hands and there was no one any of the politicians would sacrifice their careers to oppose the topic of slavery.

When American settlers started migrating into Texas in the early 1820’s they brought with them the same culture and political agendas that would be similar to the Confederates in the Civil War. Mexico had recently abolished slavery but the new settlers were committed to defy slavery and producing tension with the Mexican government over land claim and political rights (McPherson and Hogue, 2010). After the loss at the Alamo and eventual win at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836, Texas won their independence from Mexico (McPherson and Hogue, 2010). Much like the bickering of the Confederate south, the Polk administration was bent on acquiring land and expanding after the Mexican-American War. Congress, in 1847, eventually saw this acquiring of states as unconstitutional and that the Mexican-American

The Mexican War of 1846 was not a justifiable war based on the Just War Theory of jus ad bellum principles. The Just War Theory addresses the political leaders that are in charge of initiating war with another entity. The rules of applying the jus ad bellum to a war are based on six areas that address whether a war can be considered a just or unjust war. The most important rule is examining Just Cause as it sets the way for the rules that follow. Right Intention to go to war based on their Just Cause, Proper Authority and Public Declaration to determine if they could declare war and Last Resort being the final decision made if all other outlets were exhausted. As well as determining the Probability of Success in the

In 1846, the Wilmot Proviso stated that out of the territory gained from the war with Northern Mexico, only Texas should be a slave state This ignited debate over expansion of slavery and what areas should and should not allow slavery. Within the next couple of years confrontations between

The war with Mexico is long remembered as an episode, and by no means is it an unimportant one. With the events that led up to its happening, from the Manifest Destiny to the disputes on territory, it has severely marked the United States. American historians regard the Mexican-American war as “the foulest blot on our national honor”. (sfmuseum.org) Unethical actions were taken gain Mexican territory. Polk and his hunger for land drove him to find some devious way to fight a war with Mexico. His belligerent attitude in regard to this war was the “foulest blot on our national honor.” However, as one studies the events that led to it, was it an unprovoked act of aggression? Or did the US unjustifiably lure Mexico into one of the bloodiest wars on American soil?

The Mexican-American War and its effects impacted the American people and their interests in many different ways, eventually leading to what became the civil war. For instance, it inspired more westward expansion and growth as a country, which in a way created the Westerners and much of the American wealth and "new money". It also meant more land to govern and control, and a whole new era of interest for the New Englanders. However, it even created new borders and conflicts for the Southern Americans, changing their ideals and wishes greatly. Southern and Northern Americans challenged each other on issues such as freedom of slaves and how to deal with the newly-acquired land. With America recuperating after a newly-won war, the economy skyrocketed, ego rose exponentially, and Americans felt confident in their newfound land and opportunities. 1845 to 1855 was one of the most productive and influential decades the United States had ever seen, due to the effects of the war. A lot of changes involving the slave trade, handling newfound riches and money and changing how politics worked. Politicians disputed boundaries, slavery continued, and the creation of new states ensued. The Mexican-American war and its effects altered the course of American history with significant impact; The war challenged common beliefs such as slavery and statehood from all angles.

The Southerners desire for the spread of slavery played an integral part in the orchestration of the Mexican American War. As William Henry Harrison’s replacement, John Tyler caused a mess, and then urged for the annexation of Texas. After the success of the Webster-Ashburton treaty, he used the political momentum to led a campaign in 1843 with the help of Duff Green, a slavery supporter, to vilify Great Britain for their attempts in abolishing slavery in Texas. Then, in 1844 he attempted to secretly get a treaty ratified by the Senate which would’ve quietly annexed Texas to the United States. In The War in Texas, written in 1836 by Benjamin Lundy, Lundy stated

In The Other Side: or notes for the history of the war between Mexico and the United States, Ramón Alcaraz, a 19th century Mexican historian, presents the Mexican side of the issues of the war not long after its decision , additionally he argues that ". . ..the insatiable ambition of the United States, coupled by our weakness . . ." caused the war. United States was power hungry at the moment and well focused on the idea of manifest destiny, therefore they too lands by any means through purchase or reaching an agreement, or direct aggression. Similarly united states followed the path of the British while converting their power to violence to subdue other pieces of land. Mexico on the other hand was a victim in stood in the way of their expansion

The reason cited in the ban of slavery was that the Mexican government controlling Texas desired to put a stop on the immigration of individuals from the United States. This action would, however, be contested by the Tejanos who believed that importation of slaves would bring with it men an women of means. This would, in turn, enhance the growth of Texas.The slavery issue increased the rivalry between the Texas natives and the north American settlers. The Mexicans were vouching for a slave state. There was widespread fear that having Texas as a slave state would contribute into an entrenched salve mentality, thus interfering with the structure of free states. The push for a slave set-up was orchestrated by famers more than the politicians, as the author cites in page 7. These farmers were taking care of their commercial interests and the human factor was least of their concerns. The fight for and against slavery took various dimensions. The main actors used all the available platforms to argue for their case. Clauses would be secretly added in congressional

The Mexican War, the Mexican government was in turmoil when the United states accepted Texas into the Union. The Mexican government was not very thrilled that it even refused to even meet with the Americans. Since neither of them wanted to meet the other they waited for an outbreak of some form of violence to act upon. Until the Mexican forces ambushed American forces, the war was on the Mexicans had started a full-blown conflict. President James K. Polk asked congress to ready funds for war, congress agreed and the Mexican War began. The Mexican War ranged all throughout Texas, California, New Mexico, including Mexican interior. The Mexican armies “was stubborn and benefited from greater man power than U.S Power” (Spark Notes, 2017). But in

The Manifest Destiny was believed not only by Polk but also by many American citizens. It was