spacer



spacer
nav

Start Your Visit With ...

Historical Timelines
Chronological Eras
Information Tables
General Interest Maps
Glossary
History Quizzes
nav

Read and Post Comments


Follow OregonCoastMag on Twitter

Share
Would you like more applicants for your scholarships? Spread the Word on U-S-History for free.

 

Background of the Mexican War

The Polk Administration, 1846-1848

The Mexican War was likely an unnecessary conflict with multiple causes, including the following:

  • The decision of the Tyler administration in March, 1845 to annex Texas, then an independent republic, but still claimed by Mexico
  • The stationing of U.S. soldiers near the Rio Grande on territory regarded by many as Mexican soil
  • The Polk administration was an advocate of the country's Manifest Destiny, a belief that God had intended the nation to stretch across the entire continent; the Southwest and California were especially appealing targets; further, Southern slaveowners were enthusiastic about the possibility of adding additional slave states to the Union
  • Some in the United States viewed Mexico as a weak nation and incapable of holding on to territory desired by other nations; Britain, a continuing rival of the United States, had been casting envious glances at various parts of Mexico
  • Mexico had alienated many in Congress by its failure to settle debts owed to U.S. citizens
  • An incautious Mexican nationalism led their government to underestimate American military might and resolve; the Mexicans were confident of victory and anticipated an early reoccupation of Texas.

Map of Mexican War Results

Despite being inclined toward war, President Polk did attempt a diplomatic fix by sending the Slidell Mission to Mexico City. Diplomatic failure was followed quickly by hostilities and warfare developed on the following fronts:

Some, including Ulysses S. Grant, viewed the conflict as an unjust war and regretted their participation.

Peace was achieved in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the results of the war had both immediate and long-term consequences.

Off-site search results for ""Mexican War" "...

Mexican War
... even further over the issue of slavery.     Ohio Historical Society, 2005, "Mexican War", Ohio History Central: An Online Encyclopedia of Ohio History.   Search Visit Other Ohio Historical Society Sites Ohio History Ohio Kids Ohio Teachers ...
http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=517

The Mexican War
... include these files: Mexican War Service Index, 1846-1848 (Record Group 19) Mexican War Accounts and Related Papers, 1846-1880, (Record Group 2) General Correspondence of the Adjutant General, 1793-1935, (Record Group 19) Return to ...
http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/military/mexicanwar.htm

The Mexican War
... America Divided: The Mexican War, 1846-1848 (1971); Dufour, Charles L., The Mexican War: A Compact History (1968); Eisenhower, John S. D., So Far from God: The U. S. War with Mexico, 1846-48 (1989; repr. 1990); Johannsen, R. W., To the Halls ...
http://www.lnstar.com/mall/texasinfo/mexicow.htm



Top 10 Most Viewed Pages

1. The Progressive Movement

2. Eastern Woodland Culture

3. First Continental Congress

4. Roaring Twenties

5. Quartering Act

6. Historical Eras

7. Stamp Act

8. Proclamation of 1763

9. Jacques Cartier

10. The Temperance Movement


spacer




Students using u-s-history.com will often want to learn about colleges and universities in the United States, particularly their admissions policies and available financial aid. Click here for colleges and universities arranged alphabetically by state. Most colleges and universities offer financial aid and that information is available through the admissions office or somewhere else on their Web site.

Copyright 2001-2010 by Online Highways LLC. All rights reserved.