Was the Mexican-American War Justified?

Was the Mexican-American War Justified?

The Mexican-American war was by no means justified. It was a fight between a strong and mighty country and a relatively weaker one. By the time the war ended, many lives had been lost and a lot of property destroyed. All this happened because the United States wanted more territory and they were taking from a country that was smaller than they were. At the time of the war, Mexico had just fought with Spain and they did not have enough resources to fight the Americans (Mills and Bowman xiv). They did not have enough soldiers and they found it hard to maintain and control their northern territories. The Americans on the other hand were well equipped. They had enough resources in terms of money and people and they were capable of winning the war.

In America, the people were divided against those who supported the war, in this case the democrats, and those who opposed it, the Whigs. It was a political matter to them and a matter of patriotism to the rest of the people. The Mexicans on the other hand were worried about losing their land. The Americans needed to justify the war. James Polk, who was the president at that time, purported that the Mexicans had invaded the American territory and killed Americans on their own soil, a statement that was later refuted by Abraham Lincoln. Britain recognized Texas as being independent from Mexico. Mexico on the other hand saw Texas as just a rebellious province that they would one day reclaim. While addressing congress, Polk said that Texas had been determined to annex herself to the union.

Polk neglected to point out that the main intention that America had was to expand its territory. When Polk became the president, he told the people that he would make sure that America expanded its territories especially towards the west. California and Oregon were on his agenda. He was willing to do whatever it took to capture these territories. The war was seen as an unjustified war against a weaker neighbor (Kaufman 37). The US did not want foreign powers surrounding it and so they did what they could to acquire the territories directly surrounding them. They wanted to be in direct control and so when the negotiations failed, they resulted to war.

Many people were opposed to the war. Those who opposed the war in the states had other reasons, other than politics, to do so. Some were afraid that slave owners and traders would find a bigger market for their trade and hence increase the number of slaves in the country. Others were sickened by the way the united states were treating the Mexicans. Some of the soldiers who had been recruited by the United States ultimately decided to shift to the enemy camp. Some soldiers who were fighting for the US also noted the wickedness that was in the war and as one reported, “I do not think there ever was a more wicked war than that waged by the United States in Mexico” (Mills and Bowman, xii)

In all the wars fought by the United States, the Mexican war was the most unjustified. Though many people in the states felt a sense of patriotism when they won, a significant number were not happy. Some blamed the US for having started the war or contributed to its advancement. Over the years, people have captured American history using various channels. The army and other government agencies usually parade as they remember other wars such as the civil wars and the world wars. Many movies have been made over the years to show the bravery of the US soldiers as they fought various wars. The Mexican American war has however elicited negative emotions. A notable lack of movies in recognition of this war or the people who fought in it is evident. There are no parades held despite the victory. This goes to prove further that the people are ashamed that their country was involved in such a war and it is better if it were forgotten.

Works Cited:

Kaufman, Joyce. A Concise History of US Foreign Policy. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2006

Mills, Bronwyn and Bowman, Stewart. U. S. – Mexican War. New York, NY: Infobase Publishing, 2003