The Mexican-American War was not justified. While the United States wanted to expand its territory and fulfill its idea of Manifest Destiny, this expansion came at the expense of Mexico and its people, who had legitimate claims to the land. The U.S. annexation of Texas, which Mexico still considered part of its territory, was a major catalyst for the war. Additionally, President James K. Polk's aggressive actions, such as sending troops into disputed territory, escalated tensions and prompted a conflict that could have been avoided through diplomacy. The war resulted in significant loss of life and suffering for both Mexicans and Americans without solving underlying issues. Therefore, the motives and actions leading to the war reveal that it was unjustifiable, rooted more in greed and expansionism than in any legitimate grievances.
For this assignment, you are writing a short essay on whether or not you believe the Mexican-American War was justified. In other words, should Mexico and America have gone to war?
You are NOT writing a history of the war. You are writing whether or not the Mexicans and Americans had good reasons to go to war.
Your essay needs to say whether or not you believe the Mexican-American War was justified, and then you need to back up your opinion with reasons/evidence/details.
This will only be one paragraph long, but you need to back up your argument with evidence.
Simplify it as much as you can.
5 answers
Main Topic: The Mexican-American War was not justified.
Argument: The reasons for the conflict reveal its unjustifiable nature. While the United States sought to expand its territory through the idea of Manifest Destiny, this ambition came at the expense of Mexico, which had legitimate claims to the land. The annexation of Texas, which Mexico still considered its territory, was a major catalyst for the war. Moreover, President James K. Polk's aggressive decisions, such as sending troops into disputed territory, heightened tensions and led to unnecessary conflict. The war resulted in considerable loss of life and suffering for both Mexicans and Americans, without addressing any underlying issues. Ultimately, the motives driving the war—greed and expansionism—demonstrate that it was not justified.
The Mexican-American War was not justified. (While the United States wanted to expand its territory and fulfill its idea of Manifest Destiny, this expansion came at the expense of Mexico and its people, who had legitimate claims to the land. The U.S. annexation of Texas, which Mexico still considered part of its territory, was a major catalyst for the war. Additionally, President James K. Polk's aggressive actions, such as sending troops into disputed territory, escalated tensions and prompted a conflict that could have been avoided through diplomacy. The war resulted in significant loss of life and suffering for both Mexicans and Americans without solving underlying issues. Therefore, the motives and actions leading to the war reveal that it was unjustifiable, rooted more in greed and expansionism than in any legitimate grievances.)