War with Mexico

Definition

The War with Mexico, also known as the Mexican-American War, was a conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848, primarily driven by the U.S. desire for territorial expansion. This war was a direct manifestation of the ideology of Manifest Destiny, which held that Americans were destined to expand across the continent. The war resulted in significant territorial gains for the U.S., including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, Utah, and Nevada.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The War with Mexico began after a border dispute over Texas, with both nations claiming different boundaries.
2. President James K. Polk was a strong proponent of expansionism and played a key role in instigating the conflict with Mexico.
3. The U.S. military achieved several significant victories during the war, including the capture of Mexico City in 1847.
4. The war sparked intense debate over the expansion of slavery into new territories, influencing future political conflicts.
5. The conflict led to the acquisition of approximately 525,000 square miles of land, drastically altering the map of North America.

Review Questions

• How did the concept of Manifest Destiny contribute to the outbreak of the War with Mexico?
  • Manifest Destiny was a driving force behind American expansionism, promoting the belief that it was the nation's destiny to spread democracy and civilization across North America. This ideology justified U.S. actions in seeking new territories, leading to increased tensions with Mexico over disputed lands like Texas. The desire to fulfill this perceived destiny ultimately motivated leaders like President Polk to engage in military conflict with Mexico.
• Analyze how the outcomes of the War with Mexico influenced domestic politics in the United States during the late 1840s.
  • The outcomes of the War with Mexico had profound impacts on domestic politics, particularly concerning the issue of slavery. As new territories were acquired, debates intensified over whether they would permit slavery or be free states. This division fueled sectional tensions between the North and South and contributed to political strife, exemplified by events like the Wilmot Proviso and ultimately setting the stage for future conflicts leading to the Civil War.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the War with Mexico on U.S.-Mexico relations and American territorial expansion.
  • The War with Mexico left lasting repercussions on U.S.-Mexico relations and significantly impacted American territorial expansion. The annexation of vast lands fostered a sense of entitlement among Americans but also planted seeds of resentment and distrust between the two nations. This tension manifested in various ways over time, including issues related to immigration, trade disputes, and border conflicts, shaping a complex relationship that continued into the 20th century and beyond.

Related terms

Manifest Destiny:

The belief that it was America's divine right and destiny to expand its territory across North America.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo:

The treaty that ended the Mexican-American War in 1848, resulting in Mexico ceding large territories to the United States.

Annexation of Texas:

The process by which Texas was incorporated into the United States in 1845, which heightened tensions between the U.S. and Mexico.