The boundary between Mexico and Texas was undecided, however Mexico said it was the Nueces River and the U.S said it was Rio Grande. At this point it was clear that the United Stated was provoking the Mexican army into fighting. As Polk’s Army entered Mexican territory they were attacked and 16 were killed. (Background Essay) President Polk used this as an excuse to persuade Congress to declare war against Mexico. However, according to Jesus Velasco-Marquez, in the eyes of Mexicans, the American troops were trespassing and therefore the Mexican government was bound to protect their borders.
He thought it was the right time to attack and defeat Santa Anna because the Mexican troops did not expect it. Later when Houston found out where the Mexican troops were, he ordered his men to attack, and the Texans showed little mercy during this battle. Finally when Santa Anna was captured they forced him to sign a treaty recognizing the Republic of Texas after that Santa Anna ordered his army to return to Mexico and that was the end of the Texas Revolution which meant that Texas had finally gained its independence from Mexico. In 1845, the United States annexed the Republic of Texas and Texas became known as the 28th state. Later Texas claimed the eastern part of this new territory which consisted of part of present-day Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas, Wyoming, Utah, and Oklahoma.
A). In April of 1846, President James K. Polk had an idea to expand the U.S from coast to coast and after Mexico denied selling land to Polk because they had Texas, Polk declared war on Mexico because they were weaker and would give more land. As a result of the Mexican War, the U.S acquired a lot of land. This acquisition of new land soon posed as a problem regarding slavery. The United States government did not know if slaves should or should not be allowed in the new land.
After reading the Texas Declaration of Independence and the rebuttal to it, I feel that Texas has presented the more convincing arguments. Texas provides a variety of supportive arguments on why they want to become independent from Mexico. Texas gives many examples of different ways Mexico is trying to take over their land. Texas refers to themselves as “an instrument in the hands of evil rulers.” (117) Texas and Mexico both sworn to support the federal republican constitution of their country, but it no longer had a important existence, due to the Mexican nation forcibly changing the whole nature of their government without giving Texas any consent. Texas argues that the Mexican General Santa Anna made late changes in the government and overturned the constitution that both states originally had agreed upon.
Before, Mexico had banned slavery in its territory. In the U.S., slavery had been a major political issue pitting the Northern States against the Southern States. While some states supported slavery, other states opposed it. Texas under Mexico was a safe haven where slaves could seek refuge. However, as an independent state, the slaves could no longer seek AuthorLastName3 refuge in this state.
” After repeated menaces, Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil…” This is a quote from chapter one, also it’s a war message that wrote by President Polk. This has already explained that the invading from Mexico is one of the reasons for staring the war. Also, manifest destiny is another important reason for the war. President Polk wanted to expand the boundary of Untied States. He vowed to bring California under the United States control.
However not all Americans believed the U.S should become an imperialist country. The Filipinos wanted freedom and annexation violated consent of the governed. Fighting broke out Emilio Aguinaldo appointed himself president of the Philippine Republic. The Filipinos did not fight conventionally; they were not skilled enough in battle, so they engaged in guerrilla warfare.it became a longer and costlier conflict than the one in Spain. The U.S is not justified in annexing the Philippines and fighting a war to keep it because it was just a chance to exploit people and land to earn power and prestige.
During Young's presidency as governor, the U.S. government found polygamy unacceptable. News of violence caused by Mormons reached the government, and though it was false, troops were sent to Utah in 1857. This marked the beginning of the Utah War. Determined to keep the peace, Young negotiated a peace settlement with the government in 1858. Mormons officially ended the practice of polygamy two years
Causes and Effects of the Spanish American War There were many causes and effects during the Spanish-American War.United States declared war on April, 20 1898 but the United States didn't want to go to war right away. AMerica wanted to control everything. One group America tried to control was the Native Americans who lived in the West. America wanted their land and resources. So, America tried to completely control them.
This expansion, pushed by economic desires and feelings of American cultural superiority, led directly to the emergence of the divisive issue of slavery as the dominant issue in national politics.” Polk’s deliberate expansion on antislavery grounds reopened the issue of slavery in the territories. Northern Whig congressmen voted for military appropriation despite the misgivings they encountered. The door to sectional controversy was opened over the issue of expansion. David Wilmot, Democratic congressmen from Pennsylvania, proposed an amendment to a military appropriations bill in August 1846 during the time of the Mexican-American War. This bill suggested that slavery be banned in all territories acquired from Mexico.