HISTORY - choose 1 of the questions to answer - Essay Example

History 3) Was the Mexican War an imperialistic venture by the United s? Why, given the expansionist sprit of the aged did the United States not seek to acquire all of Mexico?The United States witnessed its most quick territorial expansion during the mid-1840s (Hietala 1). The country took possession of Texas, in 1845, annexed Oregon south of 49° north latitude in an agreement with Great Britain, in 1846, and acquired and conquered New Mexico and California in the United States-Mexican War. The country also gained numerous cessions from Native American communities, which were moved to unwanted and remote regions.

This process started in the 17th century (Hietala 1). This paper will discuss whether the Mexican War an imperialistic venture by the United States or not. It will also talk about whether the United States planned to expand its territories to Mexico during the expansionist sprit of the aged.The Mexican war, according to Hietala (p1), was an imperialistic venture by the United States. Both Mexico and the United States overestimated their affairs in 1846. Contemptuous of Mexicos administration and defense force, Polk and his consultants tried to overawe Mexican officials into surrendering California along with other provinces to the U.S. to pay outstanding debts owed to United States citizens.

Mexico, for its part, went wrong in assessing its northern neighbors capability of raising and equipping a successful military (Ganguly 1). During that time, the United States and other European superpowers were seeking to build a name for themselves and their respective nations. Mexican leaders, in addition, miscalculated their country’s capability of rallying the army, the church, and the people to resist the invaders. Mexican leaders, still stung by the loss of Texas, vowed to resist further dismemberment by the United States (Hietala 1).

However, in their endeavor to avenge a previous trounce, they lost New Mexico and California.Some scholars argue that Polk intentionally goaded Mexico into war. Even though, he acted provocatively, he, in fact, hoped to realize his objectives without war (Hietala 1). The United States, on the other hand, wanted to gain control of its terrain, so they sought to capture the California and New Mexico. The bloodshed, during that time, signified failure, not success, in Polk’s strategy. Polk used the army to gain land, a move that provoked the United States.

The United States had an imperialistic need, which made them buy Louisiana from Napoleon (Hietala 1). That was only the beginning. After that, they bought Virginia and then Florida. The Adams-Onis treaty is what triggered America’s greed in wanting to expand their territories. In the Oregon disagreement, Democrats wanted to dominate Asian trade, provide property for future establishments, and safeguard people already settled there. This was all as a result of imperialism (Ganguly 1). The American war with Mexico, as well as the strategy of conquest, showed a desire to safeguard a border at the Rio Grande, gratify arguments against Mexico, and obtain California to control trade with Asia.

United States Democrats wanted to offer abundant terrain to the nations poor as well as to future immigrants. To attain this admirable goal; nevertheless, they depended on bullying, bribery and warfare to extract land from Mexicans and Native Americans (Hietala 1). Often naive, they were also materialistic and racist. Their pride had to make them steal land from its neighbors, and Mexico was the best option. Work CitedGanguly, Poushali. Mexican American War. N.p, 2010. Web. Hietala, Thomas. Expansionism and Imperialism. N.p, 2006. Web.