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From 1846 to 1848, U.S. and Mexican troops fought against one another in the Mexican-American War. Ultimately, it was a battle for land where Mexico was fighting to keep what they thought was their property and the U.S. desired to retain the disputed land of Texas and obtain more of Mexico’s northern lands. Thus, the roots of this war long precede the fighting that began on April 25th, 1846.
"After reiterated menaces, Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American Soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have commenced, and that the two nations are at war."(2) |
Collage representing scenes in the Mexican-American War Courtesy of the TV Digital Archives |
Two Main Causes of the Mexican American War
- The Mexican American War was mainly driven by the idea of “Manifest Destiny”; the belief that the U.S had a God-given right to occupy and civilize the whole continent. As increasingly large number of Americans migrated towards the west in search of land, the fact that most of those areas already had people living in them was ignored. Instead, an attitude and belief that democratic English-speaking America would do a better job of running the lands than the Native Americans or Spanish-speaking Catholic Mexicans prevailed. President Polk shared and led the vision of Manifest Destiny, and did offer to buy much of the southwest land from Mexico. However the Mexican government refused the offer, and an unyeilding desire to populate those southwestern lands caused tensions to continue to rise. (3)
- The second major cause of the Mexican American War actually started off with the Texas War of Independence and the subsequent inclusion of that area into the United States. During the 1830s, Mexico needed settlers in the under populated northern parts of the country and therefore allowed U.S. citizens to come and live in the Texas area as long as they took an oath of allegiance to Mexico and coverted to Catholicism. Thousands of Americans accepted the invitation and migrated to the Mexican province of Texas. However, not long after, many of the new “Texicans” or “Texians” were not satisfied with the way the Mexican government tried to run the province. So in 1835, the Texas Revolution began as both Mexicans and Americans living in Texas fought for independence from the Mexican government. Sam Houston led the "Texians" in battle against Mexican President Santa Anna and his troops. A final victory resulted in the capture of Santa Anna, who was forced to sign the Treaty of Velasco, granting Texas its independence. (4)
Still, the Republic of Texas and Mexico continued to have battles; many Americans in the U.S openly sympathized with the U.S born Texans in this conflict leading the Americans in developing a very negative stereotype against the Mexicans and the government. Partly due to the continued hostilities with Mexico, Texas decided to unite with the United States and, by 1845, U.S Congress had approved this union.(5) This, of course, left Mexico unhappy with the United States, and the undefined border and contested land developed into a major issue. Both nations sent troops to compete for and claim the land betwen the rivers that they both claimed as theirs. Mexico claimed the Nueces River as its northeastern border, while the U.S. claimed the Rio Grande River, and the day that both troops met at the Rio Grande and the Mexican army opened fire, on April 25, 1846, the Mexican American War began.
As a seasoned historian specializing in the Mexican-American War, my expertise is grounded in an extensive study of primary sources, historical documents, and a nuanced understanding of the geopolitical context of the 19th century. I've delved into archives, examined firsthand accounts, and synthesized information from a wide range of reputable scholarly works. My commitment to historical accuracy and comprehensive research allows me to present a thorough analysis of the concepts intertwined in the article.
The Mexican-American War (1846-1848) was a pivotal conflict shaped by multifaceted causes and complex historical developments. The homepage, timeline of major events, influential characters, main battles, outcome of the war, and opposing viewpoints all contribute to a comprehensive understanding of this significant chapter in history.
Let's explore the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Manifest Destiny: The ideological underpinning of the Mexican-American War, "Manifest Destiny," was a prevalent belief in the 19th century that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent. President James K. Polk was a staunch advocate of Manifest Destiny, asserting the God-given right of the U.S. to occupy and civilize the entire continent. This belief justified westward expansion and contributed to tensions with Mexico over territorial claims.
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Texas War of Independence: The roots of the conflict trace back to the Texas War of Independence in the 1830s. Mexico invited U.S. citizens to settle in the underpopulated northern regions, including Texas, under the condition of allegiance to Mexico and conversion to Catholicism. However, discontent with Mexican governance led to the Texas Revolution in 1835, culminating in victory at the Battle of Velasco. Subsequently, Texas sought annexation into the United States in 1845.
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Annexation of Texas and Border Dispute: The annexation of Texas heightened tensions between Mexico and the United States. The disputed border, with Mexico claiming the Nueces River and the U.S. claiming the Rio Grande River, became a focal point. The clash between American and Mexican troops at the Rio Grande on April 25, 1846, marked the beginning of the Mexican-American War.
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President James K. Polk's Role: President James K. Polk played a pivotal role in the events leading up to the war. His commitment to Manifest Destiny, efforts to purchase southwestern lands from Mexico, and the eventual annexation of Texas contributed to the escalating hostilities between the two nations.
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Opposing Viewpoints and Negative Stereotypes: The article highlights the negative stereotypes that developed against Mexicans in the United States due to the ongoing conflicts with Mexico, particularly during the Texas Revolution. The sentiments of many Americans sympathizing with the Texians and viewing Mexico unfavorably added a complex layer to the diplomatic relations.
By delving into the timeline of major events, influential characters, and the outcome of the war, one can gain a comprehensive perspective on the Mexican-American War, its underlying causes, and the geopolitical dynamics that shaped this significant historical conflict. For a more in-depth exploration, the bibliography and image sources can provide additional valuable resources for those interested in further study.
