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The Mexican-American War

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The Mexican-American War
“America’s wars have often been controversial” (Roden 317). The Mexican- American War was not an exception to this rule. Many Mexicans felt that they were cheated their land. On the other hand, the US felt it was their destiny to conquer the whole North American continent and Mexico was in the way of their greatness (Roden 317). The belief in Manifest Destiny, that the USA started the conflict, and that the US had no right to Texas are all reasons that the US was not justified in taking about half of Mexico.
In 1821, Mexico won its independence from Spain and its new government recognized the emptiness in its northern regions. To solve this problem, they invited Americans into Texas, if they would promise to do three things: live in Mexico …show more content…
James K. Polk, the president during the Mexican-American War, was a strong supporter of Manifest Destiny. “[President Polk] believed it was God’s plan that America extend its territory all the way to the Pacific Ocean” (Roden 317). Manifest Destiny was a popular belief at the time. It is the idea that it was God’s plan for the USA’s territory to expand and eventually cover the entire continent. Even people who believe the US was justified to start this war believe in Manifest Destiny and that California and Texas should belong to US (O’Sullivan 323). If it was the USA's destiny to cover the continent, there should be a way for them to do so without the death of hundreds of …show more content…
“Certainly [Mexico]... might justly charge our citizens with disgraceful robbery, while, in seeking extensions of slavery, [our own citizens denied] the great truths of American freedom...” (Sumner 329). Americans were allowed to live in Texas because they promised to obey laws, but did not keep those promises. Instead, they led a rebellion. Most of the 180 soldiers at the battle of the Alamo, an important battle in the Texas Revolution, were from the US (Roden 269). The Americans got a great deal to live in Mexico without paying taxes, yet they took advantage of the Mexican government. Without the USA, Texas would still be
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