The United States’ success that is seen in today’s world is not solely based off of generosity, creativity, and good fortune. Thievery, anger and lies had something to do with it too. America has the reputation of being one of the most prosperous countries in the world, but most people haven’t seen the truth that lies within our history.
The expedition of Lewis and Clark, from 1804 to 1806, was a large source of conflict in early America. According to HistoryNet, “Their mission was to explore the unknown territory, establish trade with the Natives and affirm the sovereignty of the United States in the region. One of their goals was to find a waterway from the US to the Pacific Ocean.” (historynet.com) But that’s not quite the way their journey …show more content…
The party had achieved their primary goal of finding the Pacific Ocean, but they did not get there without turning multiple Native Tribes against them and their country.
It’s as simple as this: America wanted to expand westward to gain more territory, resources, and power. This concept is also known as Manifest Destiny. Fast forward to 1846 and say hello to the beginning of the Mexican-American War. President James K. Polk was a firm believer of Manifest Destiny. He was willing to do whatever it took to expand American power across the continent all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
It all started in 1836 when Texas gained its independence from Mexico. At first, the US didn’t want Texas to join the union, mostly because the northern states didn’t want to add another slave state. History.com states that “The Mexican government was also encouraging border raids and warning that any attempt at annexation would lead to war. (history.com) This is some pretty serious foreshadowing. Mexico was already threatening war. Nonetheless, in 1844, after Polk was elected president, annexation procedures were quickly put into place. Polk also wanted the Oregon Territory to again be occupied. He was also interested in California, which was Mexican territory. When he offered to buy the land, he was rejected. In his anger, Polk sent his men into an area between the Rio Grande and Nueces River, which was also Mexican territory. Polk was asking for a …show more content…
The Americans called in my cavalry and was able to defeat the Mexicans. On May 13th, 1846, America declared war on Mexico. Mexico’s soldier were gravely outnumbered by America’s. Many small battles were fought and Mexico won less than 21% of them. Mexico was losing supplies and men and were still gravely outnumbered. Their chances weren’t looking too great.
Finally, on Feb. 2, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, stating that the Rio Grande and not the Nueces River as the U.S.-Mexican border. According to New World Encyclopedia, the treaty also stated that “...Mexico also recognized the U.S. annexation of Texas, and agreed to sell California and the rest of its territory north of the Rio Grande for $15 million plus the assumption of certain damages claims.” (newworldencyclopedia.org) The war officially ended on February 2nd, 1848.
America wanted so badly expand westward that it didn’t take the time to think of all of the repercussions that would occur. America spread its power and people all across the continent but also displaced thousands of Natives and Mexicans. They abused their power and hurt multitudes of people. They stole from, terrorized and killed many communities. America isn’t as great as people seem to think it is and it doesn’t deserve to get as big of a positive spotlight as it does in today’s
The expedition of Lewis and Clark, from 1804 to 1806, was a large source of conflict in early America. According to HistoryNet, “Their mission was to explore the unknown territory, establish trade with the Natives and affirm the sovereignty of the United States in the region. One of their goals was to find a waterway from the US to the Pacific Ocean.” (historynet.com) But that’s not quite the way their journey …show more content…
The party had achieved their primary goal of finding the Pacific Ocean, but they did not get there without turning multiple Native Tribes against them and their country.
It’s as simple as this: America wanted to expand westward to gain more territory, resources, and power. This concept is also known as Manifest Destiny. Fast forward to 1846 and say hello to the beginning of the Mexican-American War. President James K. Polk was a firm believer of Manifest Destiny. He was willing to do whatever it took to expand American power across the continent all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
It all started in 1836 when Texas gained its independence from Mexico. At first, the US didn’t want Texas to join the union, mostly because the northern states didn’t want to add another slave state. History.com states that “The Mexican government was also encouraging border raids and warning that any attempt at annexation would lead to war. (history.com) This is some pretty serious foreshadowing. Mexico was already threatening war. Nonetheless, in 1844, after Polk was elected president, annexation procedures were quickly put into place. Polk also wanted the Oregon Territory to again be occupied. He was also interested in California, which was Mexican territory. When he offered to buy the land, he was rejected. In his anger, Polk sent his men into an area between the Rio Grande and Nueces River, which was also Mexican territory. Polk was asking for a …show more content…
The Americans called in my cavalry and was able to defeat the Mexicans. On May 13th, 1846, America declared war on Mexico. Mexico’s soldier were gravely outnumbered by America’s. Many small battles were fought and Mexico won less than 21% of them. Mexico was losing supplies and men and were still gravely outnumbered. Their chances weren’t looking too great.
Finally, on Feb. 2, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, stating that the Rio Grande and not the Nueces River as the U.S.-Mexican border. According to New World Encyclopedia, the treaty also stated that “...Mexico also recognized the U.S. annexation of Texas, and agreed to sell California and the rest of its territory north of the Rio Grande for $15 million plus the assumption of certain damages claims.” (newworldencyclopedia.org) The war officially ended on February 2nd, 1848.
America wanted so badly expand westward that it didn’t take the time to think of all of the repercussions that would occur. America spread its power and people all across the continent but also displaced thousands of Natives and Mexicans. They abused their power and hurt multitudes of people. They stole from, terrorized and killed many communities. America isn’t as great as people seem to think it is and it doesn’t deserve to get as big of a positive spotlight as it does in today’s