Desired Mexican War example essay topic

The Mexican War, A National Disgrace The factors that started the Mexican War lay heavily on American shoulders. Whether if the factors were created by social, political or economical needs, they have all become the center of attention for the question of being a national interest or disgrace. However, the Americans felt that they existed for. ".. spreading the blessings of peace". according to Andrew Jackson. There will always be controversy between the two sides of this matter, the Americans who feel that it had to be done, to the Mexicans who felt that it was an injustice done to their nation. First of all, socially, the Americans felt that it was their duty to spread their blessings of democracy and peace. Through manifest destiny, they insisted that their motives were pure and unselfish, and were done to help their neighboring nations.

However, it actually served as the main driving force for America's desire for the conquest of Mexico's land that stretched to California. Another factor that added to their decision of America's territorial conquest was best said by Walt Whitman, .".. What has miserable, inefficient Mexico-with her superstition, her burlesque upon freedom, her actual tyranny by the few over the many-what has she to do with the great mission of peopling the new world with a noble race? Be it ours, to achieve that mission! Be it ours to roll down all of the upstart leaven of old despotism, that comes our way!" America felt that inferior races like Mexico were there to be pillaged by stronger nations, for the greater good. Their blinded greed for California served as a start of the Mexican war, when they made their first offer of twenty-five million dollars, which was later rejected by Mexico.

James Polk felt that it was his duty to take it by force and took the matter under his control. Since John Tyler's decision to hold off the war until Mexico made the initial attack, Polk took it upon himself to provoke the Mexicans. To accomplish this, he sent troops to the Rio Grande and marched them along the border until the Mexicans made their attack. After the report of the attack was delivered, Abraham Lincoln proposed the "Spot Resolutions" to find the exact location of the American bloodshed on "American soil".

However, the Spot Resolutions were built upon false statements; the Mexicans' attack was premeditated and actually took place on Mexican land. Polk was successful in starting the desired Mexican War which ultimately led to the defeat of the weaker adversary Mexico and the attainment of California. Along with the desire of new land, there were other contributing factors that initiated the war with Mexico. There were also political and economical factors that were as equally important in the start of the war. With most of the Mexican land below the 34 o 30' line, the Democrats and the southern states were pushing for the war. With the increased amount of representatives for the southern states, there would finally be a tiebreaker in the free-slave argument.

Without saying, the Whigs of the northern states were opposed to the idea of war because of this. More towards the economical factors were such things as land and natural resources. In the area between Texas and the Pacific coast were filled with animal as a source of food or animal pelts for clothing. Probably one of the most important factors of the war was the acquisition of the port of San Francisco, which allowed America to open trades between other countries. Through an economic perspective is the only time where factors are thought of as a national interest. Although America won the war with Mexico, along with their much desired California, trade, population and slave increase it did not come without a price.

It was the cause of the dreaded Civil War as well as the hatred towards America. Depending on who you ask, there will be varying opinions on the Mexican war debate. According to Americans, this great nation would not be as it is today if the Mexican war did not take place and it would be thought as a necessary event in history. The Mexican people on the other hand, would disagree and may have hostile feelings toward the way that their land was taken from them.