"A Study in Causation of the Mexican War" examines whether or not the Mexican-American War was an exercise of American Imperialism.

Essay by gunbladeHigh School, 11th gradeA+, December 2003

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Webster's dictionary defines "war" as an open armed conflict between countries or between factions within the same country. It is a conflict often resulting in the death of many innocent civilians, the destruction of private property, and sometimes the unjust treatment of prisoners. Many would agree that war ought to be a last resort to settling a conflict, as was the case for James K. Polk in the Mexican-American war.

Some have argued that the American support for Texas independence, initially caused by the imperialistic and authoritarian rule of Mexico, was somewhat of a precursor to their eventual conquest of Mexico. The annexation of Texas was a perfectly fair transaction. For nine years, since the victory of San Jacinto in 1836, Texas had been an independent republic. In fact, at the very moment of annexation, the Mexican government, at the suggestion of England, had agreed to recognize the independence of Texas, on condition that the republic should not join itself to the United States.

Therefore, we were not taking Mexican territory in the annexation of Texas. The Mexican government wanted to restrict US land gains.

The new state had come into the Union claiming the Rio Grande as her southern and western boundary. By the terms of annexation Texas referred all boundary disputes with Mexico to the government of the United States. President Polk sent John Slidell of Louisiana to Mexico in the 1845 to adjust any differences over the boundaries and claims. Despite Slidell's constant efforts to get a hearing, two successive presidents of revolution-torn Mexico refused to recognize him, and he was dismissed from the country in 1846, as Mexico would sever all diplomatic relations with the United States. Polk, then sent a force, led by Zachary Taylor, to Corpus Christi on the Nueces River to...