James Polk's Decisions During the Mexican-American War

Mexico did not view the Americans as a treat when they began to move into their northern territories that is until Texas seceded from Mexico. When the idea or concept of Manifest Destiny became extremely popular Americans once again lusted after the opportunity of expanding its nation and gaining power. With Polk’s intentions clear Americans entering Mexican territory was now a threat to their nation. President Polk did not necessarily want to go to war with Mexico but was not entirely opposed to it, if it gave him what he believed should belong to the United States. Something Polk did not expect was that Mexico would not surrender its land easily, they would not go down without a fight.

The United States knew that Mexico was a weaker nation so by using their military force they were hoping to coerce Mexico into giving up the lands because Mexico stood no chance against the might of the United States military force. Often times its easier to push others or convince those to submit to your subjection when one is of lesser strength; big guy tells little guy what to do. Either using diplomacy or the show of military force the United States was going to claim the disputed land one way or another. So as a result the United States gained lands almost three times the size of France and it opened the door to an industrial profit. Vast amounts of resources now became available for profit and sea trade was now available on both sides of the United States; eastern and western ports.

There are several reasons why the united states decided to expand. In the early decades of the nineteenth century, many Americans believed that the rapid growth would cause an economical downfall . But such vast distances were quickly being conquered by technological innovations. Although the United States had no shortage of unoccupied lands, expansionists argued that the republic must continue to grow in order to survive. Using the political philosophy of Thomas Jefferson, they viewed a great region of land as the mainstay of a growing republic, and warned against the concentration of political and economic power.

With the end of the Mexican War, the United States absorbed one third of that nation’s total area. Even though American’s gained a considerable amount of land, it created great political sectionalism in America. Mexico was fighting to keep what they thought was their property and the U.S desired to retain the disputed land of Texas and obtain more of Mexico’s northern lands. This fast expansion of the size of America combined with a number of other military successes and improvement of the country’s infrastructure and communication powered ideas of Anglo-Saxon sovereignty, which merged with America’s pride to create a manifest destiny. Due to American Mexican war , Manifest destiny instilled nation building through territorial expansion, endorsed slavery’s growth, and promoted the notion of American racial superiority (Chavez, 3).

Issues of economic crisis and slavery were vital to solve. The U.S needed to justify their actions; thus, they put the blame on Mexico for starting the war. The War with Mexico was a significant event since it was the largest U.S military expansion for the reasons of modernization covered up as an act of self-defense. American imperialists had in mind to control the West Coast even before the Louisiana Purchase. “But no historian has yet dramatized the story of how Americans began, even before they acquired Louisiana, to view the ocean as their next frontier.” Acquiring the West Coast would give U.S shorter trading route to Asia than Europe had, and a path for further territorial expansion.

The essential causes of the occupation of Nacogdoches were the treaties made by US leaders with both the leaders of Spain and Mexico. The United States government was looking to expand US territory which brought about tensions with Mexico. Texas was an especially difficult obstacle between US and Mexico peace relations because there were many US settlers in Texas. The US settlers outnumbered the amount of Mexicans in Texas and many of ... ... middle of paper ... ...ty of Fort Laramie to maintain the peace, so long as it was convenient for US citizens. The treaty in 1821 between Mexico and the US, the Treaty of Alliance with France and the Treaty of Fort Laramie revealed that the US government has defied or interpreted treaty terms for their own benefit.

The cabinet agreed to assemble Congress on the 17th of October to give both houses enough time to act before the closing day of October 30th (P. 4). Before the acquisition of the Louisiana Territory, President Jefferson struggled with the constitutional difficulties of adding to the o... ... middle of paper ... ...vide protection to the citizens, and to ensure a progressive future for the country. I believe he or she is appointed solely for the greater good of our nation. Although President Jefferson did go against his principles of having more states’ rights and a strict constructionism for the government, he purchased the Louisiana Territory because he saw how beneficial it would be to the growth of America. As President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson was not looking at the criticism he would face, but the broader picture of how the new territory would positively affect the country.

From the very time of winning independence, annexation of Texas to the United States was at the top of the list of things to do. But as soon as the Texas minister was sent to Washington to neglagate for an annexation, the Martin Van Buren administration told that the proposition could not be entertained. The reasons given were constitutional scruples and fear of war with Mexico. The real reason behind Washington’s excuses was slavery. From the very second the words of annexation of Texas hit the US borders anti-slavery activists were on the ball... ... middle of paper ... ... to brake apart into four other states.

President James Polk intended to use full extent of his power to expand America and he devoted his time during his reign as President in negotiations with Mexico over the lands of California. Yet Mexico refused to give away the land and yet it had such a weak economy and could use the money that President Polk was offering them to rebuild the economy and develop the nation. But the Mexican government still did not intend to sell the land because it would not be popular with the people if the nation shrink half in size and also because of the rivalry that was associated with Americans and Mexicans. So President Polk was left with no choice but to provoke the Mexicans to war, General Zachary Taylor was sent to a disputed region between Mexico and US with 4000 troops. Polk was anxious to start war but did not intend ... ... middle of paper ... ...the Mexicans had attacked his country and in order to defend his nation he needed to attack Mexico.

American Imperialism began at the start of the 19th Century, but many Americans had different views on whether Imperialism was proper and legal. Many Americans at the turn of the century believed that bringing new nations into the United States was proper, and necessary to improve America. Legally Imperialism violated the Constitution, and it contradicted statements in the Declaration of Independence and Washington 's Farewell Address. American Imperialism was right deemed proper because it involved the idea of Social Darwinism, and it helped improve American Industries. The need to obtain land to increase trading and materials lead to many countries such as England, France, and Germany to take control of most of Africa and Asia for industrial