Manifest Destiny And The Mexican American War

Manifest Destiny the name given in the 1840s to a belief that the coast-to-coast expansion of the United States was both inevitable and justified, regardless of the means. Standing in the way were not only the native populations, but also the descendants of Spanish settlers who had lived in the Southwest for centuries. The racist belief that white men rightfully should expand their institutions into the area brought the United States into conflict with Mexico. War was declared in 1846, and by the time the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in 1848, ending the war, the US had gained territory that contains all or part of the states of California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and New Mexico.? This book richly explores this fascinating part of history.

On first glance, the Mexican-American War seems to be a simple border dispute. However, upon closer examination, it is clear that the war was also about slavery, politics, citizenship, and resources. Illuminating text explores the events preceding the war, the motivations of the key players, and the effects on Mexican, American, and indigenous people. Primary source material will bring the reader back in time to the period of westward expansion in America, when manifest destiny went from idea to reality. Colorful images, period maps, and provocative questions about the war engage young readers with this exciting period in American history.

AN ESSAY ON THE ORIGINS OF THE MEXICAN WAR.

When Texas was annexed by the United States in 1845 Mexico's foreign minister in Washington, D.C. angrily left the country and returned to Mexico. Mexico had warned the United States that if Texas became a U.S. state it would be cause for war. By April of the next year a shooting skirmish had broken out along the contested border between Mexico and the state of Texas. General Zachary Taylor, who was in charge of the U.S. forces along the border alerted President James K. Polk with the message "Hostilities may now be considered as commenced." President Polk wasted no time, alerting Congress in protest that the Mexican soldiers had "...shed American blood upon American soil." With this news, Congress quickly brought the United States to a war footing. Both nations were ill prepared for war. Mexico with a much larger army seemingly had the advantage, however, the Americans were better trained, had state-of-the-art artillery, and possessed a navy that could move troops quickly as well as shell a coastal city into submission.For nearly two years the Americans pushed deeper into Mexico, winning every major battle. Mexico finally admitted defeat when General Winfield Scott marched his men across Mexico to capture Mexico City. General Scott, or "old fuss and feathers" as he was known, was a master tactician and with a much smaller army was able to defeat the Mexican soldiers led by General Santa Anna. It was not until February 1848 when the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed that the war came to an official end. The Americans gained much from the treaty, including the modern-day states of California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. For this vast territory the U.S. compensated Mexico with a little over $18 million. Though this war is seldom mentioned today, the Mexican-American War had a profound and lasting impact on both nations. The book "The Mexican-American War: A Short History" gives a concise look at the factors leading up to the war, the details of the battles, and reveals the impact the war had on both countries. To illustrate the story there are over a dozen pictures of the people, places, and events that were part of the war. In addition, a list of reference books for further reading is included. A timeline of the war puts the events in sequence and there is a section that contains short biographical sketches of the key individuals in the book. 30-Minute Book SeriesThis is the 41st book in the 30-Minute Book Series. Books in this series are fast-paced, accurate, and cover the story in as much detail as a short book possibly can. Most people complete each book in less than an hour, which makes the books in the series a perfect companion for your lunch hour or a little down time. About the AuthorDoug West is a retired engineer and an experienced non-fiction writer with several books to his credit. His writing interests are general, with special expertise in history, science, and biographies. Doug has a Ph.D. in General Engineering from Oklahoma State University.

The day-to-day experiences of the American soldiers fighting in the Mexican War James McCaffrey examines America's first foreign war, the Mexican War, through the day-to-day experiences of the American soldier in battle, in camp, and on the march. With remarkable sympathy, humor, and grace, the author fills in the historical gaps of one war while rising issues now found to be strikingly relevant to this nation's modern military concerns.

The definitive history of the often forgotten U.S.-Mexican War paints an intimate portrait of the major players and their world—from Indian fights and Manifest Destiny, to secret military maneuvers, gunshot wounds, and political spin. “If one can read only a single book about the Mexican-American War, this is the one to read.” —The New York Review of Books Often overlooked, the U.S.-Mexican War featured false starts, atrocities, and daring back-channel negotiations as it divided the nation, paved the way for the Civil War a generation later, and launched the career of Abraham Lincoln. Amy S. Greenberg’s skilled storytelling and rigorous scholarship bring this American war for empire to life with memorable characters, plotlines, and legacies. Along the way it captures a young Lincoln mismatching his clothes, the lasting influence of the Founding Fathers, the birth of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and America’s first national antiwar movement. A key chapter in the creation of the United States, it is the story of a burgeoning nation and an unforgettable conflict that has shaped American history.