| Early U.S. Imperialism: The Mexican War (1844-1848) |
|
Sections:- President Polk and Westward Expansion
- Going to War
- Mexican Reaction
- American Opposition to the Mexican War
- The Wilmot Proviso
- Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)
|
| Historical Context
During the presidential campaign of 1844, Democratic nominee James K. Polk called for American expansion westward. He interpreted his election, though by a narrow margin, as support for his position. Attached Documents
Polk’s inaugural address (1845) includes a comprehensive discussion of the annexation of Texas. The address spends considerable time defending, through historical reference, philosophical argument, and constitutional principles, U.S. expansion as a way of creating and preserving a more powerful Union.
Questions to Consider
1. According to Polk, how should Mexico view the annexation of Texas?
2. Why might Mexico have different views on the topic of annexation?
3. What points does Polk give as justification for the annexation of Texas?
|
| | | | Citations: | |
|
| Historical Context
Upon hearing the news of an attack on American troops by Mexican forces in April of 1846, President Polk prepared to inform Congress. Attached Documents
On May 11, 1846, Polk declared, “Mexico has shed American blood upon American soil.” Polk’s goal was to use these emotional words to convince Congress and Americans that it was time for war. His goal was reached when Congress declared war on Mexico two days after his speech.
Questions to Consider
1. According to Polk, why did he send John Slidell to Mexico?
2. What happened to the Mexican government before Slidell could meet with the Mexican president?
3. What justification does Polk give for sending American troops into the disputed territory?
4. Could he have had an ulterior motive for sending these troops? Justify your answer.
5. What kinds of emotions does Polk intend to evoke when he says, “American blood has been shed on American soil?”
6. In your opinion, is the war with Mexico justified? Why or why not?
|
| | | Citations: | |
|
| Attached Documents
Mexican leaders, including President Jose Joaquin Herrera (pictured below) in 1845 and General Francisco Mejia in 1846, objected to what they saw as unjustified American claims on Mexican territory. |
| | | | | Citations: | |
|
| Attached Documents
The Massachusetts writer Henry David Thoreau (pictured below) was one of many Americans who protested the Mexican War. In this essay, which later influenced Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, he calls for peacefully disobeying unjust laws. Thoreau explains his refusal to pay a local poll tax that was levied as a way to pay for the Mexican war, a war, he believed, that was being waged to acquire more territory for slavery. As a result of his refusal to pay this tax, Thoreau was jailed.
Abraham Lincoln’s statement, as a freshman congressman, denouncing the Mexican War as immoral and proslavery, including the introduction of a resolution demanding President Polk identify the American territory, or “spot,” where Mexico invaded.
Questions to Consider
1. What are Thoreau’s views on government?
2. What does Thoreau mean when he writes, “Witness the present Mexican War, the work of . . . a few individuals using the standing government as their tool; for, in the outset, the people would have not consented to this measure . . .?”
3. Under what conditions does Thoreau support breaking the law?
4. Do you agree with Thoreau that it is acceptable to peacefully break a law? Justify your answer.
5. How should a society balance rule by the majority with individual conscience?
6. What were the eight points of Lincoln’s resolutions?
|
| | | | | Citations: | |
|
| Historical Context
Many Americans, especially in the North, feared that the Mexican War would bring the United States more territory into which slavery could expand. Pennsylvania Congressman David Wilmot proposed that slavery be excluded from all land the U.S. might acquire as a result of the war.
Attached Documents
His Proviso was passed twice by the House of Representatives, in 1846 and 1847, but rejected by the Senate.
Questions to Consider
1) According to the proviso, what was the only acceptable form of slavery in the new territories? |
| | | Citations: | |
|
| Attached Documents
This treaty was a written agreement between Mexico and the United States ending the Mexican-American War. The treaty required Mexican cession of territory (present-day Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas, and parts of Colorado, Nevada, and Utah) in exchange for fifteen million dollars, an amount the Mexican government turned down before the war, in U.S. compensation for property damages incurred during the conflict.
Questions to Consider
1. What is the new established southern boundary of Texas that will be recognized by both countries?
2. Why do you think the description of the boundary has to be so detailed in the treaty?
3. What provisions are in the treaty for Mexicans living in the ceded territory?
4. In your opinion, is this a fair treaty? Explain your answer.
|
| | | | Citations: | |
|
| Back To Module List Back to Sections |
![jose_herrera[1].jpg](/module_files/jose_herrera[1].jpg)
