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Mexican War Causes

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Mexican War Causes
The Mexican War had numerous causes, some of which were extensive and others that were petty. The most essential, however, were the Texas crisis, westward American movement, the ideal of Manifest Destiny, and the behavior implemented by the President Tyler and President Polk. The fundamental cause of the war was Texas and California. When Texas split from Mexico in 1836, Mexico did not distinguish it as a self- government but as a depraved province. Mexico still considered this a part of their territory, but the United States regime differed. Mexico was exasperated as Texas entered the Union as the 28th state and thought that the takeover of Texas was a call for the necessity of war. Additionally, when President James Polk had John Slidell …show more content…
Mexico, thinking that Taylor and his men were on its land, attacked the American unit in an act of self-defense. Shortly after these affairs, the United States announced war on Mexico on May 13, 1846. Another purpose of the Mexican-American War was the westward movement of citizens of the United States. At this point in time Americans were constantly looking for land to begin farms or sell to approaching farmers. They found the most convenient land in Texas. There was also the idea that the Southerners traveled into Texas in order to get another slave state into the Union and surrender Southern power. Even so, as groups of people from the U.S. flooded into Texas, they began to question the authority of the Texans and the Mexican government. As if this were not enough, the invaders violated Mexican laws and regulations such as the antislavery laws. These actions combined greatly contributed to the discontent of U.S. citizens by Mexican officials. Next, there was the ideal of Manifest Destiny, which is the American ideal that the United States should span from ocean to ocean as one colossal nation. This idea has a great impact on the westward migration of Americans as they migrated across the continent in search of economic

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