Chapter 8: War with Mexico
For this unit you will be reading Chapter Eight in the Zinn book. Topics include manifest destiny, the Mexican War, expansion and the victory of the United States over Mexico.
What is manifest destiny?
The Websters Online Dictionary define manifest destiny as:
A policy of imperialism rationalized as inevitable (as if
granted by God).
When applied to the history of the United Stated manifest destiny can be seen as the reason that people turned to when they wanted to justify U.S. policies. By telling people that the United States was destined to become a nation and that God was on their side, people who wanted to expand the U.S. could do so without question.
By using the concept of manifest destiny President James Polk justified the Mexican War in 1846, which was started in order to expand the U.S. territory into what is now Texas and California.
However, many people at the time of the war and still today question whether manifest destiny even existed. The links below have different arguments against manifest destiny as a valid reason for certain events in U.S. history. They also show some of the costly side effects that developed as a result in believing in manifest destiny.
A policy of imperialism rationalized as inevitable (as if
granted by God).
When applied to the history of the United Stated manifest destiny can be seen as the reason that people turned to when they wanted to justify U.S. policies. By telling people that the United States was destined to become a nation and that God was on their side, people who wanted to expand the U.S. could do so without question.
By using the concept of manifest destiny President James Polk justified the Mexican War in 1846, which was started in order to expand the U.S. territory into what is now Texas and California.
However, many people at the time of the war and still today question whether manifest destiny even existed. The links below have different arguments against manifest destiny as a valid reason for certain events in U.S. history. They also show some of the costly side effects that developed as a result in believing in manifest destiny.
These links are songs and video by various artists that offer a different view of manifest destiny.
Osage Scalp Dance
How are the different people in this painting represented?
In Class Assignment: Paintings and Representations
After looking at the painting found above, write down your impressions of the different people in the painting. How do the Native Americans look? What about the white woman and her child? How would you expect each person to act? Who do you think the “good” guys are in this picture and who are the “bad” guys?
Now that you have formed these impressions, why do you think these people were represented this way? How could showing certain people in one way help the United States justify taking over people’s land and telling them what to do? How is manifest destiny used here?
Now that you have formed these impressions, why do you think these people were represented this way? How could showing certain people in one way help the United States justify taking over people’s land and telling them what to do? How is manifest destiny used here?
Homework: What is Your Manifest Destiny?
Think about the things that you have learned about manifest destiny. It was an idea that was used to justify countless cruelties committed by the United States, such as slavery, forced labor and genocide. It gave President Polk the justification he needed to expand into the West. The idea that God gave Americans the right to do as they wanted smoothed the way for people to justify just about anything.
Keeping these things in mind, how do you think manifest destiny has affected your life today? Would it be different had this idea not existed? What experiences do you have with people justifying their actions for reasons that do make sense to you?
Write a poem, song, short story or any other form of written word about what you think your manifest destiny is, or how manifest destiny has affected your life. It can be any length, but if it is short make sure it is meaningful.
Keeping these things in mind, how do you think manifest destiny has affected your life today? Would it be different had this idea not existed? What experiences do you have with people justifying their actions for reasons that do make sense to you?
Write a poem, song, short story or any other form of written word about what you think your manifest destiny is, or how manifest destiny has affected your life. It can be any length, but if it is short make sure it is meaningful.
The Diary of President James Polk
The following entries are from The Diary of James K. Polk During His Presidency, 1845 to 1849. These are actual entries written by President Polk about his intentions in the Mexican War. Pay close attention to the reasons he states for starting the war and why his is displeased with General Taylor.
Monday, 10 August, 1846
My object in asking this appropriation has not been fully stated in this diary. It was this: Mexico is indebted to the U.S. in a large sum which she is unable to pay. There is also a disputed question of boundary. The two countries are now engaged in War. When peace is made the only indemnity which the U.S. can have will be a cession of territory. The U.S. desires to acquire Upper California, New Mexico and perhaps some territory South of these Provinces. For a suitable cession of territory we are willing to assume the debts to our own citizens & to pay an additional consideration. My information induces the belief that Mexico would be willing to settle the difficulty in this manner. No Government however it is believed is strong enough to make a treaty ceding territory and long maintain power unless they could receive at the time of making the treaty money enough to support the army. Whatever party can keep the army in its support can hold the power.
Late in the evening of Saturday, the 8th, I learned that after an excited debate in the House a bill passed that body, but with a mischievous & foolish amendment to the effect that no territory which might be acquired by treaty from Mexico should ever be a slave holding country. What connection slavery had with making peace with Mexico it is difficult to conceive.
Saturday, 5th September, 1846
Gen’l Taylor I fear is not the man for the command of the army. He is brave, but he does not seem to have resources or grasp of mind enough to conduct such a campaign. In his communications to the War Department he seems ready to obey orders, but appears to be unwilling to express any opinion or to take any responsibility on himself. Though he is in the country with means of knowledge which cannot be possessed at Washington, he makes no suggestion as to the plan of the campaign, but simply obeys orders and gives no information to aid the administration in directing his movement. He is, I have no doubt, a good subordinate officer, but from all the evidence before me I think him unfit for the chief command. Though this is so I know of no one whom I can substitute in his place. After the late battles which were well fought the public opinion seems to point to him as entitled to the command.
Sunday, 11 October, 1846
About dark Capt. Eaton of the U.S. Army called in company with the Secretary of War & the Adjutant General. Capt. Eaton was the bearer of despatches from Gen’l Taylor having left Monterey on the evening of the 25th ultimo. These despatches announced that a battle had been fought between the two armies at Monterey commencing on the evening of the 20th ultimo & continuing for between three and four days. The result was a capitulation by which the American army were left in possession of the City and the Mexican army permitted to retire with their arms except, the larger part of their ordinance & munitions of war which were delivered over to the American forces. An armistice was also agreed upon to continue for eight weeks. In agreeing to this armistice Gen’l Taylor violated his express orders & I regret that I cannot approve his course. He had the enemy in his power & should have taken them prisoners, deprived them of their arms, discharged them on their parole of honour and preserved the advantage which he had obtained by pushing on without delay, further into the country if the force at his command justified it. Our troops fought well, though with some loss of officers & men. It was a great mistake in Gen’l Taylor to agree to an armistice. It will only enable the Mexican army to reorganize and recruit so as to make another stand.
Monday, 10 August, 1846
My object in asking this appropriation has not been fully stated in this diary. It was this: Mexico is indebted to the U.S. in a large sum which she is unable to pay. There is also a disputed question of boundary. The two countries are now engaged in War. When peace is made the only indemnity which the U.S. can have will be a cession of territory. The U.S. desires to acquire Upper California, New Mexico and perhaps some territory South of these Provinces. For a suitable cession of territory we are willing to assume the debts to our own citizens & to pay an additional consideration. My information induces the belief that Mexico would be willing to settle the difficulty in this manner. No Government however it is believed is strong enough to make a treaty ceding territory and long maintain power unless they could receive at the time of making the treaty money enough to support the army. Whatever party can keep the army in its support can hold the power.
Late in the evening of Saturday, the 8th, I learned that after an excited debate in the House a bill passed that body, but with a mischievous & foolish amendment to the effect that no territory which might be acquired by treaty from Mexico should ever be a slave holding country. What connection slavery had with making peace with Mexico it is difficult to conceive.
Saturday, 5th September, 1846
Gen’l Taylor I fear is not the man for the command of the army. He is brave, but he does not seem to have resources or grasp of mind enough to conduct such a campaign. In his communications to the War Department he seems ready to obey orders, but appears to be unwilling to express any opinion or to take any responsibility on himself. Though he is in the country with means of knowledge which cannot be possessed at Washington, he makes no suggestion as to the plan of the campaign, but simply obeys orders and gives no information to aid the administration in directing his movement. He is, I have no doubt, a good subordinate officer, but from all the evidence before me I think him unfit for the chief command. Though this is so I know of no one whom I can substitute in his place. After the late battles which were well fought the public opinion seems to point to him as entitled to the command.
Sunday, 11 October, 1846
About dark Capt. Eaton of the U.S. Army called in company with the Secretary of War & the Adjutant General. Capt. Eaton was the bearer of despatches from Gen’l Taylor having left Monterey on the evening of the 25th ultimo. These despatches announced that a battle had been fought between the two armies at Monterey commencing on the evening of the 20th ultimo & continuing for between three and four days. The result was a capitulation by which the American army were left in possession of the City and the Mexican army permitted to retire with their arms except, the larger part of their ordinance & munitions of war which were delivered over to the American forces. An armistice was also agreed upon to continue for eight weeks. In agreeing to this armistice Gen’l Taylor violated his express orders & I regret that I cannot approve his course. He had the enemy in his power & should have taken them prisoners, deprived them of their arms, discharged them on their parole of honour and preserved the advantage which he had obtained by pushing on without delay, further into the country if the force at his command justified it. Our troops fought well, though with some loss of officers & men. It was a great mistake in Gen’l Taylor to agree to an armistice. It will only enable the Mexican army to reorganize and recruit so as to make another stand.
Expansion as a Reason for War
Reasons for Expansion: Connecting Current Events
One of the largest reasons the President Polk provoked the war with Mexico was to expand the territory of the United States. He wanted control over Texas and California, along with several other territories that would later become states.
After looking at the map of the United States that existed before the war with Mexico answer the following questions.
1. How would the United States be different today if it had remained its original size?
2. Do you think that the U.S. had the right, or the manifest destiny, to take territory away from Mexico? Why or why not?
3. Consider what you know about the current argument surrounding immigrants from Mexico. If the U.S. had lost the war would this debate be different today? In what way?
After looking at the map of the United States that existed before the war with Mexico answer the following questions.
1. How would the United States be different today if it had remained its original size?
2. Do you think that the U.S. had the right, or the manifest destiny, to take territory away from Mexico? Why or why not?
3. Consider what you know about the current argument surrounding immigrants from Mexico. If the U.S. had lost the war would this debate be different today? In what way?
The End of the War: Victory for the U.S.
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848, was a peace treaty between Mexico and the United states which ended the Mexican-American War. The following is the first part of the treaty:
IN THE NAME OF ALMIGHTY GOD
The United States of America and the United Mexican States animated by a sincere desire to put an end to the calamities of the war which unhappily exists between the two Republics and to establish Upon a solid basis relations of peace and friendship, which shall confer reciprocal benefits upon the citizens of both, and assure the concord, harmony, and mutual confidence wherein the two people should live, as good neighbors have for that purpose appointed their respective plenipotentiaries, that is to say: The President of the United States has appointed Nicholas P Trist, a citizen of the United States, and the President of the Mexican Republic has appointed Don Luis Gonzaga Cuevas, Don Bernardo Couto, and Don Miguel Atristain, citizens of the said Republic; Who, after a reciprocal communication of their respective full powers, have, under the protection of Almighty God, the author of peace, arranged, agreed upon, and signed the following:
Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Limits, and Settlement between the United States of America and the Mexican Republic.
Based on the beginning of the Treaty of Guadelupe-Hidalgo, which country do you think wrote the treaty?
The treaty was negotiated by Nicholas Trist, written is the interests of the United States. It was signed on February 2, 1848 in the small town of Guadalupe Hidalgo, near the City of Mexico. The treaty set the southern border of the United States (and Texas) at the Rio Grande River. The United States also received California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was ratified by the Senate on March 10, 1848. The Mexican Congress ratified on May 25, 1848.
Who do you think benefited the most from the treaty? Why? What benefits, if any, did Mexico receive?
This information courtesy of the Lee Foundation, website www.sonofthesouth.com
IN THE NAME OF ALMIGHTY GOD
The United States of America and the United Mexican States animated by a sincere desire to put an end to the calamities of the war which unhappily exists between the two Republics and to establish Upon a solid basis relations of peace and friendship, which shall confer reciprocal benefits upon the citizens of both, and assure the concord, harmony, and mutual confidence wherein the two people should live, as good neighbors have for that purpose appointed their respective plenipotentiaries, that is to say: The President of the United States has appointed Nicholas P Trist, a citizen of the United States, and the President of the Mexican Republic has appointed Don Luis Gonzaga Cuevas, Don Bernardo Couto, and Don Miguel Atristain, citizens of the said Republic; Who, after a reciprocal communication of their respective full powers, have, under the protection of Almighty God, the author of peace, arranged, agreed upon, and signed the following:
Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Limits, and Settlement between the United States of America and the Mexican Republic.
Based on the beginning of the Treaty of Guadelupe-Hidalgo, which country do you think wrote the treaty?
The treaty was negotiated by Nicholas Trist, written is the interests of the United States. It was signed on February 2, 1848 in the small town of Guadalupe Hidalgo, near the City of Mexico. The treaty set the southern border of the United States (and Texas) at the Rio Grande River. The United States also received California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was ratified by the Senate on March 10, 1848. The Mexican Congress ratified on May 25, 1848.
Who do you think benefited the most from the treaty? Why? What benefits, if any, did Mexico receive?
This information courtesy of the Lee Foundation, website www.sonofthesouth.com
