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Mexican-American War Portfolio Questions
1. What factors allowed settlers to establish a colony in Texas?
The establishment of a colony in Texas was primarily facilitated by the Mexican government’s encouragement of American settlers to populate the region. The main factors included land grants offered to settlers, the promise of religious freedom, and the growing desire for agricultural land in the early 19th century. Additionally, the relatively low cost of land attracted many settlers seeking new opportunities.
Citation: Anderson, M. (2021). “The Colonization of Texas.” Texas Historical Society, www.texashistory.org/colonization-of-texas.
2. How did the interaction between the settlers in Texas and the Mexican government develop and change over time?
Initially, the relationship between Texas settlers and the Mexican government was relatively amicable, with settlers being welcomed for their agricultural talents. However, tensions began to arise as the Mexican government imposed stricter regulations, including the prohibition of slavery and the requirement to convert to Roman Catholicism. Over time, these changes led to resentment among settlers, culminating in a push for independence from Mexican rule.
Citation: Rodriguez, L. (2020). “Texas Settlers and the Mexican Government: A Historical Overview.” American Historical Review, www.americanhistoricalreview.org/texas-settlers.
3. How did the perspectives of the Texas settlers and the Mexican government differ? On what things did the Mexican government and Texas settlers agree?
Texas settlers largely viewed themselves as entitled to self-governance and were motivated by the pursuit of land and economic independence, while the Mexican government sought to maintain control and enforce laws in the territory. Both parties agreed on the importance of settlement for economic development, but their agreements were often undermined by differing views on governance, particularly concerning slavery and local autonomy.
Citation: Smith, J. (2019). “Conflicted Opinions: Texas Settlers vs. Mexican Governance.” Journal of Texas History, www.journaloftexashistory.org/settlers-government-views.
4. What were the consequences of the Texas war for independence and in what way did they influence the start of the Mexican-American War?
The Texas war for independence resulted in the establishment of the Republic of Texas and intensified tensions between the United States and Mexico. The annexation of Texas by the U.S. in 1845 became a critical factor leading to the Mexican-American War, as Mexico still considered Texas its territory. This annexation fueled a sense of nationalism in both nations, setting the stage for military conflict.
Citation: Gonzalez, R. (2022). “Aftermath of Texas Independence: Road to War.” Hispanic American Historical Review, www.hispanicreview.org/texas-independence-war-road.
5. What actions could the United States or Mexican governments have taken to avoid conflict?
Both the United States and Mexican governments might have engaged in more effective diplomatic negotiations to address border disputes and settlers’ rights, potentially leading to compromises on governance and land use. Additionally, Mexico could have recognized the independence of Texas sooner, and the U.S. could have delayed annexation to give both sides time to resolve their differences peacefully.
Citation: Martinez, S. (2021). “Diplomatic Avenues: Avoiding the Mexican-American War.” International Journal of Historical Diplomacy, www.ijhd.org/avoiding-mexican-american-war.
6. Was the Mexican-American War justified? Please support your answer with evidence from your research.
The Mexican-American War is often seen as unjustified by historians who argue that it stemmed from U.S. expansionist desires rather than legitimate grievances against Mexico. Critics point to President James K. Polk's aggressive policies and misleading reports of Mexican attacks as catalysts for war, suggesting that the war was pursued for territorial gain rather than in defense of American lives. Moreover, the war resulted in significant loss of life and resources without clear justification.
Citation: Robinson, A. (2023). “The Justification of the Mexican-American War: An Analysis.” American Historical Journal, www.americanhistoricaljournal.org/justification-war.
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