Factors Contributing to Americas War With Mexico :: American America History

Factors Contributing to the Statess War With MexicoIn 1825 President John Quincy Adams appointed Joel Poinsett as the firstU.S. minister to Mexico. His first assignment was to twist the Mexican government to sell the U.S. the res publica of Texas, thus continuing therapid expansion of the American democracy. The United States continued topursue Texas with little success for the following(a) 20 years. It was non untilDecember 1845 when the U.S. finally annexed Texas by a joint resolution(and thus simple majority) . Immediately following the Texas eruditeness,and with U.S.-Mexico relations swiftly deteriorating, the U.S. cute theMexican province of California, mainly for her harbours San Frasisco andSan Diego. The American policy towards Mexico which ensued in the followingyears was governed al almost exclusively by President James Polks personalopinions and actions, as well as Nicholas Trists defiant behavior amanifestation of the state-centric theory in which key individual dec isionmakers govern policy. In addition, Polks policies were secondarilyinfluenced by the consideration of relative power, American mass ideology,and Public opinion. In 1845 President Polk began, cofidentially from the public, considering the annexation of California. Polks initial desire wasto simply purchase California, attempting to maintain peace. He shortlylearned this would be impossible. When Polk ordered General Taylor to crossthe Nueces River and eventually to fortify on the Rio Grande, he fullyunderstood the possilble consequences of these actions. In fact, bydeploying Taylor and his troops, Polk putting a slow scarf out on theMexicans which would leave them with no other option than to strike back.Polk waited for the initial attack to be made by the Mexicans and then taken with(p) back. Polk claimed that American line of reasoning had been spilled on Americansoil, thus garnering enough public and congressional support to declare waron Mexico safe from domestic unrest. Norman Graebner states that, Polkwas too acute a politician to favor any cause until public opinion hadcrystallized 1 Although the war decleration contained no reference to theterritorial reserve conquest, Polks persaonal diary conveys his cloak-and-daggerintentions of acquiring the much coveted California as well as New Mexico.The intentions of the President to occupy Mexico undoubtedly took intoconsideration public opinion, but the most prominent reason for thedecleration of war was Polks belief that california was a strong economicand militarily strategic addition to the U.S. Secretary of dark blue GeorgeBancraft noted that the acquisition of California was among Polks top fourpriorities from the outset of his administration, however, Polk had keptthis under wraps. Glenn Price also points out that, .Factors Contributing to Americas War With Mexico American America HistoryFactors Contributing to Americas War With MexicoIn 1825 President John Quincy Adams appointed Joel Poin sett as the firstU.S. minister to Mexico. His first assignment was to persuade the Mexicangovernment to sell the U.S. the province of Texas, thus continuing therapid expansion of the American democracy. The United States continued topursue Texas with little success for the next 20 years. It was not untilDecember 1845 when the U.S. finally annexed Texas by a joint resolution(and thus simple majority) . Immediately following the Texas acquisition,and with U.S.-Mexico relations swiftly deteriorating, the U.S. wanted theMexican province of California, mainly for her harbours San Frasisco andSan Diego. The American policy towards Mexico which ensued in the followingyears was governed almost exclusively by President James Polks personalopinions and actions, as well as Nicholas Trists defiant behavior amanifestation of the state-centric theory in which key individual decisionmakers govern policy. In addition, Polks policies were secondarilyinfluenced by the consideration of relative power, American mass ideology,and Public opinion. In 1845 President Polk began, cofidentially from thepublic, considering the annexation of California. Polks initial desire wasto simply purchase California, attempting to maintain peace. He soonlearned this would be impossible. When Polk ordered General Taylor to crossthe Nueces River and eventually to fortify on the Rio Grande, he fullyunderstood the possilble consequences of these actions. In fact, bydeploying Taylor and his troops, Polk putting a slow squeeze on theMexicans which would leave them with no other option than to strike back.Polk waited for the initial attack to be made by the Mexicans and thenstruck back. Polk claimed that American blood had been spilled on Americansoil, thus garnering enough public and congressional support to declare waron Mexico safe from domestic unrest. Norman Graebner states that, Polkwas too astute a politician to favor any cause until public opinion hadcrystallized 1 Although the war decleration co ntained no reference to theterritorial conquest, Polks persaonal diary conveys his clandestineintentions of acquiring the much coveted California as well as New Mexico.The intentions of the President to occupy Mexico undoubtedly took intoconsideration public opinion, but the most prominent reason for thedecleration of war was Polks belief that california was a strong economicand militarily strategic addition to the U.S. Secretary of Navy GeorgeBancraft noted that the acquisition of California was among Polks top fourpriorities from the outset of his administration, however, Polk had keptthis under wraps. Glenn Price also points out that, .