Lucy Horn
4-27-15
English~3rd hour
Social Studies~6th hour
Total War In 1846 war broke out between two neighboring countries. “US historians refer to this event as ‘The Mexican War’, in Mexico its called ‘The US Invasion’ (Doc. C, paragraph 1).” The Mexican War had lasted two years, 1846 to 1848. Ten years before the war, Texas had declared its independence from Mexico in 1836. Not long before that, in 1821, Mexico had declared independence from Spain. The United States was unjustified in going to war with Mexico because Americans abused the idea of the Manifest Destiny, broke the laws the Mexican government had set, and the annexation of Texas was used as “a declaration of war (Doc. C, paragraph 2)” by Mexico. The Manifest Destiny was the belief that the United States was to stretch its borders from coast to coast. President Polk was a strong believer in Manifest Destiny. Mexico was just another obstacle in his way. He believed that Mexico was “hampering our power, limiting our greatness and checking the fulfillment of our Manifest Destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence [God]...(Doc. A, paragraph 2).” In addition to Texas, he hoped to expand the borders into California. He believed strongly that Mexicans were incapable of building a successful government. He believed that Americans were smarter and better equipped to fulfill the destiny by “...marking its trail with schools and colleges, courts and representative halls, mills and meeting houses...(Doc. A, paragraph 3).” President Polk overlooked Mexico’s possession of the land both in Texas and in California. Many southern Americans disregarded the Mexican laws. When Mexico declared independence from Spain in 1821, it had “decreed the abolition of human slavery within her dominions...(Doc. A, paragraph 3).” This included the land known as Texas. Americans were already settled in Texas, believing that Texas should become a part of the United States. Mexico had agreed to admit these settlers in order to increase their own population. Soon, southerners brought their slaves from America across the Sabine river, defying the Mexican government law. Catholic and anti-slavery, Mexicans soon clashed with the Protestant and pro-slavery Americans, leading to battles. “...Certainly [Mexico]...might justly charge our citizens with disgraceful robbery, while, in seeking extention of slavery, [our own citizens denied] the great truths of American freedom…(Doc. D, paragraph 3).” “From Mexico's point of view, the annexation of Texas was both inadmissible for both legal and security reasons...(Doc. …show more content…
C, paragraph 2).” Americans already considered Texas as a part of their country. “It is time for opposition to the Annexation of Texas to cease… Texas is now ours...(Doc. A, paragraph 1).” When Texas and America signed a treaty in 1844, Mexico felt that the United States stole the land from them. When the Americans had tried to see if the Mexicans had crossed the river, they found that the Mexicans were preparing to cross. Some Americans were killed and Polk got upset. Polk convinced congress that there were enough reasons to go to war with Mexico, in order to defend Texas. The House of Representatives and Senate voted on going to war. The senate had 40 yeses and 2 nos (Doc. B, Note). The House of Representatives had 174 yeses and 14 nos (Doc. B, Note). The Mexican War, or US Invasion, was unjustified. Even with the belief in Manifest Destiny, the United
4-27-15
English~3rd hour
Social Studies~6th hour
Total War In 1846 war broke out between two neighboring countries. “US historians refer to this event as ‘The Mexican War’, in Mexico its called ‘The US Invasion’ (Doc. C, paragraph 1).” The Mexican War had lasted two years, 1846 to 1848. Ten years before the war, Texas had declared its independence from Mexico in 1836. Not long before that, in 1821, Mexico had declared independence from Spain. The United States was unjustified in going to war with Mexico because Americans abused the idea of the Manifest Destiny, broke the laws the Mexican government had set, and the annexation of Texas was used as “a declaration of war (Doc. C, paragraph 2)” by Mexico. The Manifest Destiny was the belief that the United States was to stretch its borders from coast to coast. President Polk was a strong believer in Manifest Destiny. Mexico was just another obstacle in his way. He believed that Mexico was “hampering our power, limiting our greatness and checking the fulfillment of our Manifest Destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence [God]...(Doc. A, paragraph 2).” In addition to Texas, he hoped to expand the borders into California. He believed strongly that Mexicans were incapable of building a successful government. He believed that Americans were smarter and better equipped to fulfill the destiny by “...marking its trail with schools and colleges, courts and representative halls, mills and meeting houses...(Doc. A, paragraph 3).” President Polk overlooked Mexico’s possession of the land both in Texas and in California. Many southern Americans disregarded the Mexican laws. When Mexico declared independence from Spain in 1821, it had “decreed the abolition of human slavery within her dominions...(Doc. A, paragraph 3).” This included the land known as Texas. Americans were already settled in Texas, believing that Texas should become a part of the United States. Mexico had agreed to admit these settlers in order to increase their own population. Soon, southerners brought their slaves from America across the Sabine river, defying the Mexican government law. Catholic and anti-slavery, Mexicans soon clashed with the Protestant and pro-slavery Americans, leading to battles. “...Certainly [Mexico]...might justly charge our citizens with disgraceful robbery, while, in seeking extention of slavery, [our own citizens denied] the great truths of American freedom…(Doc. D, paragraph 3).” “From Mexico's point of view, the annexation of Texas was both inadmissible for both legal and security reasons...(Doc. …show more content…
C, paragraph 2).” Americans already considered Texas as a part of their country. “It is time for opposition to the Annexation of Texas to cease… Texas is now ours...(Doc. A, paragraph 1).” When Texas and America signed a treaty in 1844, Mexico felt that the United States stole the land from them. When the Americans had tried to see if the Mexicans had crossed the river, they found that the Mexicans were preparing to cross. Some Americans were killed and Polk got upset. Polk convinced congress that there were enough reasons to go to war with Mexico, in order to defend Texas. The House of Representatives and Senate voted on going to war. The senate had 40 yeses and 2 nos (Doc. B, Note). The House of Representatives had 174 yeses and 14 nos (Doc. B, Note). The Mexican War, or US Invasion, was unjustified. Even with the belief in Manifest Destiny, the United