What Caused The Mexican American War

“The true will stand on the page of history in all coming, to the disgrace of this nation and of the age in which we live…” (Joshua Giddings, H.O.R 1846) The United States war with Mexico began in the year of 1846. It started due to the US hitting it’s breaking point and President James Polk demanding for Congress to go into war. The war ended with the US taking the win and a treaty forming. The United States did end up gaining land while the Mexico lost some land. Although the United States against Mexico resulted in the gaining of America’s most valuable land, the war itself was just repulsive and inexcusable due to the start of the tension (breaking of laws), the wanting of slavery, and the bound to pursue the United States’ manifest destiny.
The Mexico Government did intact some conditions and rules for the Texans to live under, but the Americans did not quite obey the laws. They resented to obey the laws and have their own to live under. Stated in the letter from Rafael Antonio Manchola, “We will have many problems if we do not stop their disrespectful behavior…” (Manchola) Problems were brewing due to the behavior and acts of the Texans. It wasn’t just affecting the Americans but it happened to affect everyone living in Texas at the time being. The Texans were living under different ruling than the Tejanos. The Texans were living under their own rules and conditions even though Texas was not their original property. Also mentioned in the McDougal Littell “Creating America” textbook, on page 401, it states “Tejanos thought that the Americans believed they were superior and deserved special privileges.” (Littell, 401) The Texans were basically putting everyone else down because they felt that they were better and deserved more than everyone though once again, this isn’t even their original land?? How can one disrespect another even though something valuable was offered to them? It’s not right to
Mexico didn’t want any slaves or any slaveholders, so it was a condition the Americans had to live under while staying in Texas. Though it was a condition, the Americans didn’t quite follow. Due to the disagreements of slavery being banned, it was a reason (in their eyes) or a boost to start war. The United States, at one point, did want to take in Texas but some of Congress did not approve due to them believing that Texas can end up as a slave state. Later on, it was brought in as a slave state. Benjamin Lundy, a man who made a move in the antislavery movement of the 1820s had a view on the Texas Revolution. Stated in his pamphlet, “...main goal of this war...has been to...re-establish the SYSTEM OF SLAVERY” (Lundy) Many americans wanted slavery to be apart of Texas, so they did rebel and fought for “revolution” It might of looked good for them to fight for what they believe in but it doesn’t look right to fight for slavery, especially if it’s not wanted. The goal of the war was to have slavery and for them to get what they want so they can be happy in the end. Joshua Giddings, a member of the House of Representatives, was in a debate on the war with Mexico in 1846. Mentioned in the debate, “...This war is waged against an unoffending people, without just or adequate cause, for the purposes of conquest; with the design to extend slavery;...” (Giddings) Adding on, the war was on belief for expanding slavery. If rebellion was a