The United States was rapidly growing in the mid 1800’s. From sea to shining sea, Americans were migrating West in search of land, opportunities, and wealth. This Westward movement created tensions with people who already inhabited these Western territories such as Mexico. Mexico fought eleven hard years against Spain for their independence(1810-1821), and faced many challenges following its newfound freedom. One-tenth of Mexican citizens were killed in the war, the government was unstable, and the economy was thriving either. Twenty years later the United States government used these weaknesses to their advantage. In contrast to Mexico, the United States was thriving, and growing. A new ideal called Manifest Destiny became popular in the 1840’s.
