Mexican American War Dbq

The Mexican American War began by Mexico claiming the Nueces River as its northeastern border, while the U.S. claimed the Rio Grande River, and the day that both troops met at the Rio Grande and the Mexican army opened fired, on April 25, 1846.The US increased its land by 25% and Mexico lost half of its territory. Many settlers wanted to go West because they believed that America was meant to expand the Pacific Ocean. This was called Manifest Destiny. Manifest Destiny means that the attitude widespread area during the 19th century of the American expansion of the United States could, and was destined to, stretch from coast to coast. This attitude helped fuel western settlement, Native American removal and war with Mexico.