Using different perspectives, historical information, why was the Mexican American war justified
There are differing viewpoints on the justification of the Mexican American War, as it is a complex historical event with various factors to consider. Below, I will outline two perspectives on the war, one from a U.S. perspective and another from a Mexican perspective:
U.S. Perspective:
1. Manifest Destiny: One perspective argues that the Mexican American War was justified based on the belief in manifest destiny, the idea that it was the U.S. destiny to expand its territory from coast to coast. Many Americans in the 19th century believed that it was the duty of the United States to spread its democratic values and civilization to less developed areas. From this perspective, the war was seen as a necessary step to fulfill this manifest destiny by acquiring new lands, including California, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.
2. Border Disputes: Another perspective holds that the war was justified due to border disagreements between the U.S. and Mexico. Some U.S. politicians believed that the border between Texas (which had become an independent republic after separating from Mexico) and Mexico was the Rio Grande river, while Mexico argued that it was the Nueces River further north. The U.S. perspective argued that Mexico refused diplomatic negotiations to settle the border dispute, leading to military action as a last resort.
Mexican Perspective:
1. Invasion and Dispossession: From the Mexican perspective, the war was seen as an unjust invasion of their territory. Mexico was against the annexation of the independent republic of Texas by the United States, considering it a violation of their sovereignty. They view the U.S. annexation of Texas and subsequent military actions as an act of aggression to expand U.S. territory at Mexico's expense. Mexico saw the war as a form of dispossession and a violation of their rights as a sovereign nation.
2. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: The Mexican perspective also highlights the unfavorable terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the war. Mexico was forced to cede almost half its territory to the United States, including the present-day states of California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Texas. Mexicans argue that this loss of territory was a result of an unjust war and negotiations conducted under duress.
It is important to note that historical interpretations can vary, and perspectives on the justification of the Mexican American War differ based on one's cultural, national, or personal background.