The Catalyst Of The Mexican-American War

The Mexican-American War served as catalyst that channeled the divisions between the North and South and the division within the political parties. The war was fought over American expansion near Mexican territory, which created major tensions that resulted in full blown war in 1846. The war was very controversial because it raised sectional tensions between the different regions within the United States. Many in the North were opposed to the war because they believed it was being fought to expand slavery. Further, some viewed it as unconstitutional; one of the most famous protests was when Henry David Thoreau refused to pay taxes to show his opposition. When the war was finished, there was further division as to what the Unites States should