Tuesday, November 6, 2007

The Mexican-American War

Was the Mexican War an Exercise in American Imperialism? If you are going to argue yes, focus on the goals of President Polk and the reasons why the conflict started. Also focus on how Polk could have avoided the war. If you argue no, focus on Polk's attempts to acquire Mexico without bloodshed.

***Remember that the nature of an imperial nation is conquest and expansion.

63 comments:

Jenna Porretta said...

Reading over information regarding the Mexican American war,I cant formally decide one standpoint.At times i would say the war was an excercise in american imperialism because the point of being at war was to mainly conquest CA,and the nature of an imperial nation is conquest and expansion. At other times i would say that the war wasnt an excercise in american imperialism because Polk's goal was to create less bloodshed available,mexico was the one who "egged it on."Polk couldve avoided the war by possibly signing an armistice to never fight,or a treaty to share ca in some certain way.

Norma_Garcia_5 said...

In a way Polk from the beginning knew that he wanted California. First with the Oregon territory, then Texas was gained, and now California was next. The American's found the San Francisco Bay to be something that was the entry to the Pacific. Since "Manifest Destiny was already in mind, Polk thought it was the right thing. Therefore it was an act of American Imperialism. Also in a way Mexico had the right to refuse any compromise with Polk because Mexicans were already in California and Mexico couldn't just decide to sell its people off like that. Of course things might have not gotten to a point where bloodshed was involved if Mexico had agreed to hear what America had to offer and Mexico could've given its reasons why it didn't want to sell California. When Polk was able to gain California in a way he knew that what he had done was wrong because he ended up giving Mexico $18 million. Hence it was American Imperialism, but if Mexico had agreed to at least meet with the Americans the California situation might have turned out differently.

Anonymous said...

On the basis that an imperial nation is based on conquest and expansion, I would argue that, yes, the Mexican War was an exercise in American Imperialism. It's true that President Polk was willing at first to negotiate for an agreeable sale of California to the US from Mexico, however, when that was unsuccessful, instead of taking the peaceful route of revising negotiations, Polk responded by sending troops. The troops weren't deployed with the idea of actually starting fighting, but rather the US was just flexing its muscles and showing that it had a military force capable of taking California by force. Overall, it was just a retaliation to heal a bruised pride. However, it wasn’t viewed that way, but rather as an insult and thus Mexicans reacted by attacking those same troops. From the beginning Polk made it clear that he wanted California (part of his 4-point plan) and through a weird, drawn out process, he acquired it in the end. This event (or rather series of events) adds to the reputation of Purposeful Polk who had a laid-out plan and worked tirelessly to see it through no matter what.

Anonymous said...

To Norma_Garcia_5,
i hadn't really thought of that possiblity. however, in the end, the whole war could've been avoided if both countries had set aside stubborn pride and sat down to serious negotiations instead of trading insults. Correct me if i'm wrong...but wasn't oregon acquired officially AFTER California was acquired? Also, with the Mexican people already living in California, just because california is sold to the US, doesn't necessarily mean that those inhabitants would be forcibly removed or forced to become American citizens or any such thing. Weren't there British and French men living the US even though they weren't citizens?

luoyuejia said...

The feeling of the time of Manifest Destiny along with Polk created the perfect desire and effort to work towards gaining land. It was apparent through Texas and Oregon already, California was just next in line. It is no doubt that this was a displayment of American imperialism since an imperialistic view is one of extreme conquest and control. By looking at the situations in Texas and Oregon, the desire to control those two states was very strong and Californias was even stronger due to the war. A series of collecting these states is no doubt a show of imperialism. Polk could have easily avoided a war by proposing some sort of a treaty or deal to discuss the status and outcome of California

I agree with norma_garcia_5 that Polk knew from the very beginning he wanted California. It was inevitable for California, or at least part of it, to become part of the states.

I also agree with jenna porretta that Polk could have edged towards a situation with no war by signing an armistice to not fight or a treaty to share California, although it seemed somewhat impossible with the attitudes that were displayed by leaders of both sides.

Gio1022 said...

I would say that the Mexican-American War was absolutely an act of American Imperialism. The war itself was provoked, since President Polk basically taunted Mexico by sending out General Zachary Taylor and his troops to the southern boundary of Texas. Polk had his strategy planned out from the beginning, since one of his goals during his presidency was to acquire California, as well as Oregon. The very fact that Polk was a Democrat demonstrated his expansionist (or imperialist) ideals. The war could have definitely been avoided; however, America was craving land, and the land-hungry Americans saw the western Mexican territory as the solution.

Gio1022 said...

I was stricken by norma_garcia_5's idea that the Americans saw the San Francisco Bay as a lure into California. It is very true; I agree.

Norma_Garcia_5 said...

i agree with Gio1022 because she thinks that there was a possibility of avoiding the war. It was wrong and in the end Polk felt guilty. It was basically the only war that the U.S. has ever been in beacuse of land lust/conquest. And I'm sure that there could've been ways to stop it from getting that far.


I also agree with luoyuejia because i read in the textbook about how the San Fran. bay was highly thought of and of course Polk believing in the whole Manifest Destiny idea he wanted that land.

benaa15 said...

In my opinion I think that the Mexican War was form of imperialism on behave of the United States. One reason is because the word imperialism means to expand and this is exactly what Polk was doing expanding the nation first with Oregon, then Texas, and California. I think that Polk planned everything since the beginning because he knew that Santa Anna would not give up his land so easily. Another reason would be the concept of Manifest Destiny; they believed that God told them to expand so that is what they did. I believe that Polk could have avoided the war if he was patient and if he negotiated more with Mexico because in my opinion he did not try hard enough. This is why I believe that the Mexican War was a form of imperialism.


I have to agree with Gio1022 when she states, “…President Polk basically taunted Mexico by sending out General Zachary Taylor and his troops to the southern boundary of Texas” because that is exactly what Polk did, if he really did not want a war, he would have never sent the troops.

I also have to agree with Norma when she talks about San Francisco because Polk was very interested in this land because he thought that it would open trading with the pacific and making their economy prosper.

obviouslymatt said...

The Mexican American War would be considered an imperalism movement on a minimal scale based on several factors. Polk tried to negotiate with Mexico to buy parts of the land which wouldnt be considered true imperialism because he was offering to avoid war and conflict for a trade. Oregon was resolved peacefully and resulted in America acquiring the land without a war. When we had to fight to get Texas and California, that would be considered imperialism, but because the US didn't take all of Mexico when it could have, i would say it wasn't true imperialism. Overall, i would say the idea of manifest destiny and the US obtainig all that land was a minimal scale of imperialism and the fact that America didnt just take over all of Mexico and maybe even south america contributes to that idea.

lakers_117 said...

At the time of his ascension to presidency, Polk was keen on achieving his four point plan which included the acquisition of California. Therefore, when negotiations for the sale of the territory failed, Polk made it very clear that he was determined to take the area by sending in troops to the Rio Grande to try and provoke a reaction from Mexico. Therefore, this can be labeled as an exercise in American Imperialism as Polk wanted the territory even by force. He did not want to reopen any negotiations and instead wanted a quicker but bloodier way to secure California. If Polk had wanted to avoid war, he should have reopened negotiations and retry with a different proposal. This could have worked but would have required more patience which Polk did not want to deal with.

lakers_117 said...

I agree with benaa15 regarding the fact that the takeover of California was an imperialistic campaign. Whenever a country provokes war for the sake of expansion, it expresses imperialistic motives.

I also agree with flo<3 that Polk could have resorted to negotiations to secure California but he wanted the faster and more direct route which involved armed conflict.

Anonymous said...

i have to agree with gio1022 on the many points that he/she brings up. They point out Polk's democratic ideals and apply how that affected Polk's actions. They also state how the sending of troops down to the border was an open taunt, which was a point that i made in my own response.

jenny_16 said...

i argue yes. Because i Believe the Mexican War was an exercise in American Imperialism.President Polk was willing at first to negotiate for an agreeable sale of California to the US from Mexico, but then he ended up taunting Mexico by sending out Zachary Taylor and his troops to the southern boundary of Texas.This all can connect with the the word expand. which is the definition of Imerialism, imperialism then connects with what Polk was doing, which was expanding the nation from Oregon, following Texas, and California.Another reason that i believe the mexican american war was an excersice of imperialism is beacause of the manifest destiny.Since Polk had the manifest destiny in future planing, he belived it was the right thing to do for american imperialsim

raiders10 said...

I feel that the war did in fact show exercise in American Imperialism as Polk was intending to acieve more land and was doing almost whatever possible to get it. to what Flo<3 said, i think that the war could have been avoided very easily if the two countries could have met and disucsssed boudaries instead of fighting for what the two thought was theres. It would have been much easier for them to compromise than to fight over the land.

MAR said...

By the definition of imperialism, it is relevant to say that the Mexican-American War was an exercise of American Imperialism. During such an era where the Americans were hungry for land, Polk's motivation, even before during his presidency, was to acquire California from the Mexicans. His ambition to acquire California from his Four Point Plan. SUch a motivation to aquire new land exemplifies the Americans' desire for conquest and expansion, which is the main objective to imperialism. Even though Polk did avoid war at first by making negotiations with Mexico, the rejection that he got from the Mexicans forced him to send troops to the other nation. Likewise, Polk's intervention with the Mexicans exemplifies how America desired to triumph against Mexico, to gain the land of California.

MAR said...

In response to lakers_117's comment, I do agree with the fact that if Polk did have patience for further negotiations to aqcuire California from Mexico, then there would definately have been tranquil between the two nations. President Polk's ambition shows his desperation for conquest and expansion.

MAR said...

In response to Flo<3's comment, it is in fact relevant to assert that Polk's was determine to acquire California, stated in his Four Point Plan and "to see it through no matter what." SUch goal shows Polk's great ambition to expand the size of America by conquesting-no matter what it took-the territory from the Mexicans. This ambition greatly defines the purpose of imperialism.

JayAguilar86 said...

I agree with norma_garcia_5 as well as flo<3. The Mexican American war was an act of Imperialism but I believe that Polk's acts of sending troops into the Californian grounds further defined the Imperialistic theme of the conquest for the western territories as well as "Manifest Destiny". Like norma_garcia_5 said, Polk more than likely had this concept of "Manifest Destiny" in mind and thought that conquesting for California was the right thing to do in order to uphold this belief. In inference, I believe that war and/or any other physical conflict was virtually unpreventable because of the fact that Polk already had his ambitions and goals clearly cut out for him in the four-point plan (which flo<3 already mentioned) as well as in his mind, which i think gave Polk a "whatever-it-takes" mindset towards the actions towards the Mexican people. However, no matter how unjust we interepret Polk's actions in the current day and age, what he did back then gave us what we have today.

kwix0419 said...

The nature of an imperial nation is conquest and expansion. Based on that definition, the Mexican American war was an excise on American Imperialism. From the start, Polk had the intent of acquiring California from Mexico. Although, Polk avoided war at first, he sent in troops after his offerings were rejected. This shows that America was hungry for expansion and conquest.

christi815 said...

The Mexican War (1846-1848) was an exercise in American Imperialism due to American expansion being the main cause. The “Manifest Destiny” belief that America had a God-given right, or destiny, to expand the country's borders from 'sea to shining sea' and to “civilize” pushed Polk to call for a war in attempt to acquire large tracts of land like California from Mexico (also mentioned in his Four Point Plan). The war could have been avoided if Polk had tried a different approach and proposal. In a way, Polk bluffed Mexico into negotiating instead of using persuasion when he used the technique of stonewalling his opponents. This offended the Mexicans sense of honor and made the Mexicans dig in their heels and fight harder, even in a losing cause. Because of that, unnecessary casualties were lost in the war and relations between the United States and Mexico remained tense for many decades to come.

christi815 said...

I agree with norma_garcia that both sides had their wrong in the whole conflict. Mexico had the right to refuse any compromise but they could have agreed to listen to what America had to offer. The war and bloodshed could have been avoided if a less violent and peaceful approach and proposal, where each side were willing to hear each other out, had taken place.

christi815 said...

Though jenna porretta made a good point when she said that polk could have avoided the war by possibly signing an armistice to never fight or a treaty to share California in some certain way, I don’t think polk would have agreed to do that. Part of his four point plan was to acquire California completely. And eventually they did sign a treaty. I also think both sides “egged it on.” It wasn’t really completely mexico calling for the war. Polk wanted the land that Mexico already had claim on and polk was willing to resort to war for conquest and expansion.

viaeenie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
viaeenie said...

The Mexican War was clearly out of the Americans’ desire to acquire new land and because of the time of the “Manifest Destiny”, the Americans were influenced and “destined” to expand towards the Pacific Ocean, which advocated territorial acquisitions. Thus, it is fair to say that the Mexican War was through the exercise of American Imperialism. Amongst the land-hungry Democrats committed to geographic expansion was James Polk, who was motivated to acquire California from Mexico through his four-point program during his presidency. His determination to do so at any cost shows that the Mexican War was indeed out of the purpose for the expansion of the United States. Such determination is shown through his decision to send troops over when Mexico refused to sell California. However, he didn’t seek war with Mexico; he merely wanted California, emphasizing the purpose of imperialism. Polk could have avoided the war by being more patient in making a more affective proposal and negotiation with Mexico.

viaeenie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
patelz2000 said...

hi christine :]

viaeenie said...

In response to Norma_Garcia 5, I agree the war could have been avoided through a more affective communication and negotiation. If Polk had set aside his land-thirst and if Mexico had set aside their pride of California, they would have been able to compromise both of their needs without calling for war.


I agree with Gio1022 in which being a democrat, Polk supported American imperialism, which explains his four-point program in acquiring new land. Also, I agree that at the time, America was greedy for land, in which such greed and land-thirst made it hard for them to be patient in making negotiations with Mexico, which led to the Mexican War.

1iszt1eistdie1iste said...

The Mexican American war was obviously a move for imperialsim. Polk probably realized that the United States were still weak and had an economy that can still grow. So insisting on the Legislative to start war for Mexico, he was denied... until the Mexicans attacked a post. However, Polk wanted little or not bloodshed over California, so that would contradict his imperialistic intentions. But however,he ultimately fought the legislation for war in Mexico.

So it can be seen that at first Polk wanted to be sensible, but then got far too impatient and his rapacity overtook him. He took the war for imperialistic means, for California. California was an even greater gateway to eastern trade than Oregon foremost and resources were great. What growing nation wouldn't want this piece she it land?

I'm sorry if I blather incoherently, Mr. Wise.

patelz2000 said...

hey via!

kobe17 said...

I think that the Mexican War was an exercise in American Imperialism. President James Polk had outlined his desire for taking over California in his four points plan since his ascension to the presidency. The hostile takeover of any territory can be considered an act of imperialism. So when peaceful negotiations to buy the territory failed, he sent the army to the Rio Grande and ended up provoking conflict with Mexico. He saw war as an easier and faster route to gaining the territory. Polk could have easily avoided war by reopening negotiations for a sale of the territory.

kobe17 said...

I agree with flo<3 that President Polk should have reopened negotiations rather than flex "military muscle" and escalate the situation further.

I also agree with lakers117 that Polk was impatient and thus provoked the Mexican War when he could have resorted to diplomacy.

MizChinkyEyez said...

As the nature of imperialism is based on conquest and expansion, I would have to argue yes, the Mexican War was an exercise in American Imperialism.
For example, when Polk couldn't acquire California from the Mexicans, he showed his determination for the area by sending in troops to the Rio Grande to try and provoke a reaction from Mexico. This is exactly why the Mexican War is an example of American Imperialism because Polk was so determined in claiming California, even if it meant using force, which is how the conflict came to be started.
Polk could have easily avoided the war if he was more patient and was willing to set up negotiations.

MizChinkyEyez said...

norma_garcia_5
I agree with you that the Mexicans had the right to refuse any compromise with Polk because it would be unfair to the Mexican population presiding in California if their government were to just hand them over along with the land.

flo<3
I agree that Polk had the choice to avoid the war, but instead he chose to send in troops and start a conflict instead of being patient and making negotiations.

kwix0419 said...

I agree with norma_garcia_5 that the Mexicans had the definite decision in whether they should compromise with Polk.

I don't agree with jenna when she said that Polk could've avoided war through armstice because his four point plan made him too determined to acquire land.

darkruler said...

I believe that the mexican American War was an act of imperialism because it involved the act of taking land that does not belong to the US. US citizens may have believed that it was their right to take it because of this idea of manifest destiny but the fact is, it was not our land. Another arguement could be in our president's intentions. Polk wanted California and he was willing to start a fight to get it. The war could have been avoided by either Polk offering more money for california or by asking for a joint occupation of california with mexico.

Hend said...

I think that yes, the Mexican War was definitely an exercise of American Imperialism. When you look at the roots of the war, you notice that Polk and others who believed in Manifest Destiny, had longed for valleys in California, as well as the Bay of San Fransisco. They viewed them as the "gateway in the Pacific Ocean". When the Mexican people refused to accept John Slidell's "generous" proposition, war feeling was ignited. The same motivation was introduced with the annexation of Texas. The two main reasons why the American people wanted Texas was because Mexico still owned it, and because of imperialism and the idea that fighting war for the conquest of territory was inevitable. The Texas issue also revolved around the idea of Manifest Destiny, and the divine right of America to expand and grow. Not only is the Mexican war based on Imperialism, but I believe that it is based on Ethnocentrism. The whites moving west viewed themselves as superior to the others. Considering the fact that they were "civilized" and "enlightening" their religion, views, and culture upon others was a good thing, hence Manifest Destination. Although, during this time period, politics supported this idea, and people accepted it, doesn't mean it was right. War over land signifies American greed, and land lust. Blood spilt over gold, is an act of greed and immorally wrong.

darkruler said...

Norma_Garcia_5 :I agree with this person when they said that mexico had the right to refuse the bargain because they would be selling their own citizens off to another country and who knows what atrocities could have been commited against them.

jenna porretta :I agree with this person when she says that the war could have been avoided by signing something not to fight but the way that Polk wanted CA and Santa Ana wanted to protect his people this probably wouldn't have happened.

Hend said...

To jenna Porretta:
I disagree with you when you say that "Mexico was the one who egged [war] on" and Polk tried to avoid it, and the war was not imperialistic. I think that Mexico didn't have to give up its land if it didn't want to and Polk basically gave it two options: either sell it, or we will take it from you. They didn't have much of a choice. This is clearly an act of imperialism.

Hend said...

Norma Garcia 5:

I agree with Norma when she says that "Mexico had the right to refuse any compromise with Polk because Mexicans were already in California and Mexico couldn't just decide to sell its people off like that". This makes Polk's imperialistic motivations extremely evident. Again, Mexico didn't have many options besides those of selling off their people or going to war. Although it says in the book that Polk mainly wanted to avoid war, his actions don't signify this. He wanted that land and I think that he would of went to even greater measures of taking it from the Mexicans.

caligurl4life310 said...

The Mexican War was fought in order to protect Americans living in Texas with the hopes of Americans adopting Texas as one of their own, as well as conquesting California. But the United States didn't want Texas because it would offset the balance of non-slave holding states and the slave-holding states. Although this is true, I do believe that the Mexican War was an exercise of American Imperialism because of the fact that since President Polk didn't get what he wanted, as in creating a deal with Mexico for California, he responded in anger by going to war. Many said that this choice was made in defense just in case Mexico wanted to attack the United States and not just for expansional gain.But either choice makes sense to me because these actions would have contributed to make the United States a superior nation as it is today.

Marissa Washington said...

I think the Mexican American war was not an act of imperalism. President Polk firs asked to buy Texas and other land from them, but they refused. Also most Texans were alright with America taking over. Personally, I think imperialization occurs when a country does not want to be overtaken by another country.
I agree with caligurl4life310 because the war was not faught to take over, it was faught to help the texans.
I disagree with norma because Polk's actions were not imperialistic.

mZ.dAy said...

I personally agree with Flo when it comes to the definition of an imperial nation and the fact that if you look at thats exactly what America was in this instance. Polk wanted California and everything that came with it so he set to seize and expand. I somewhat disagree with Jenna in the sense that Polk did try to make an offer, but Mexico was unwilling to cooperate. However if they did decide to compromise then maybe some type of agreement would have been made.

whatevs_trishh said...

Mr. Wise, I didnt wasnt able to get online ealier. I know I shoulve done it earlier in the week but my connection was down. I dont know if this counts for anything, but I saw the prompt beforehand and wrote my blog already so I might as well post it anyways:

After analyzing President Polk's intentions, yes. The Mexican War was an exercise of American Imperialism. The reason why the war started was the sole intention of gaining the lands. He has sent his soldiers to invade the land in which the Mexicans had full right to protect. And seeing that there were something to defend their land from, the Mexicans supposedly "initiated" war with Americans. Because President Polk sent in soldiers to fight to attain land, it was an act of American Imperialism. It was a fully intentional effort to in any means attain that land, regardless that of who it was in posession of. Though the MExicans had no intention to negotiate with the attempted offers, if we gave them an offer they couldn't refuse, the war couldve been completely avoided. In actually, the war could have been avoided all in all if we simply accepted that they wanted to keep the land. However, passion and fulfulling Manifest Destiny was the drive that inspired them to fight the war.

benaa15
I agree with her as she stated that Polk was fully aware that the Mexicans were firm in their decision not to give up the land.

viaeenie
I agree when she states that the war couldve been avoided if we proposed a more appealing offer.

mondile said...

Yes, the Mexican war was an exercise in American Imperialism. Polk's motives were to acquire California, and that is by gaining the Oregon Territory, but Texas was first gained. Also, "Manifest Destiny" was in his mind, which is to further conquest lands to expand America. Also, Mexico had the right to stop any acts of agreement and compromise with the U.S. , but since they were already in California, they couldn't abandon their natives.Bloodshed could of happened if Mexico did not give its' reasons concerning their refusal to sell California. Yet, Polk later gained California, and he concluded that by paying Mexico 18 Million for the land was wrong. Yet, it still proves the belief of American Imperialism point of American wanting to and establishing expanionism and conquests.

jenny_16 said...

i agree with gio1022 and her statment about polk and The very fact that Polk was a Democrat demonstrated his expansionist or imperialistic ideals.

agree with Flo<3 and the ideas of the definition of an imperial nation.

tinkerbell09 said...

Yes the Mexican War was an exercise in American Imperialism. In the beginning President Polk wanted and was willing to negotiate they purchase of California. But by President Polk sending Zachary Taylor and troops to Texas, that angered Mexico. This made matters worse. Imperialism is basically expanding, in which President Polk was just trying to expand the country. He expanded Oregon, then Texas, then trying for California.


I completely agree with Jenny_16. We made some of same points of Polk trying to expand country by, Oregon, Texas, then California.


I disagree with jenna porretta, she said she cannot decide. But she did make a good points about imperialism and expanding.

James Owns You :] said...

woke up thinking today was sunday...

The Mexican War was an exercise that provoked American Imperialism. Reasons supporting this was the fact that so many territories were conquered in such short amount of time. The amount of time was important because it pretty much displayed Polk's intention to conquer land as quickly as possible. It may not have been Polk who personally annexed Texas but Polk stubbornly fought for it and pressed the capture of California and the territories in between as well. The fact that he established the Four-Point program to capture California and Oregon puts an iron grip on the idea that America was definitely becoming an Imperialistic country.

James Owns You :] said...

I agree with lakers_117 because he is correct on the Four-Point program that President Polk established. That program alone is more than enough to label America as an imperialist.

James Owns You :] said...

I disagree with anyone who thinks that the Mexican-American War was not an exercise in becoming imperialists. The fact that all land taken over after the acquisition of the Louisiana Purchase was mainly due to the Americans addiction for land, also known as Manifest Destiny as christi815 mentions. These greedy expansionist expressed favor of adding land and nothing for the other side. Polk is largely to blame too for agreeing and taking action in regards to those wants.

Anonymous said...

Yes the Mexican War made America become an Imperial nation for a set amount of time. President Polk won the election because his followers saw him as a expansionist. He couldn't dissapoint so he ordered troops to Mexico even thought their relationship was bitter. So polk took America conquered California and bout all of the land for 15 million dollars.

fishbowlsurfer said...

Yes, we're an imperialist nation.
Yes, we took California from our younger neighbor. Was it wrong? Yes, it was wrong for us to go to Mexico, provoke a fight, say that they started it and then take their territory, which was half their land.
I Don't wanna offend anyone, I'm mexican too so trip over what i'm about to type, But what if Mexico would have kept this land? It wouldn't be as beautiful as it is today, it would probably look like T.J. or Mexico City, Im glad the U.S took it.

fishbowlsurfer said...

Wait...Today is not Sunday?





!@$!@$

AP Wiseman said...

thanks guys!

Justinee Wienee said...

The Mexican-American War was fought in order to gain California, since the Mexican government refused to sell California to America for about 2-million. They wanted to expand westward to expand the idea of the Manifest Destiny. This is due to the American imperialism with President Polk's decision to start the war against the Mexicans. Since the Mexicans refused to sell California, after they had asked America to not help Texas in which Texas became a state.

Justinee Wienee said...

I agree with Jenna because America did want to expand and by expanding wanting to buy California and when not able to do so fought for it.

Justinee Wienee said...

I agree with luoyueja because the Manifest Destiny idea did effect The American imperialism in many ways in wanting to have California, that they had to go to war for it.

Justinee Wienee said...

Mr. Wise, my computer is finally working and it just started, along wiith the internet. I apoloigize for having it late.

TeDDyMuNd said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
TeDDyMuNd said...

i believe that the Mexican American War was an exercise to American Imperialism because Polk definitely wanted more land and by that he needed to acquire California. By getting California from Mexico then it was a choice that Mexico gave Polk . So Polk got California from Mexico therefore excercising to American Imperialism.

Tedmund Nguyen

ceejayjay said...

The Mexiacan war can be both not an exercise of american imperialism and it can be an exercise of american imperialism..

it can be an american imperialsim because as a deffinition on imperialsim it means to expand to other colnies not their own!!.

and thats wat Polk exactyl do he knew from the beginning that he wanted California!.

it can also be not an american imperialism exercise cause he could hva gained California through non bloodshed wart and jst sign a treaty called the Armistice. so that they wouldtn fight or they can jst share the land in some way!

ceejayjay said...

MR. WISE..

im sorry for the delay for this block its jst cause i had to figure out wat my google account wass it kept asking mee wat was my google account for mee to sign on!

and i finally firgurded it out!!

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