The U.S Mexican war occurred between 1846 to 1848. The purpose of the war was to expand the United States borders to the north in the present day Canada and to occupy the southern part which Mexico lies. The expansion of the boundaries was under the then president of the United States James K Polk. James Polk used the famous Manifest Destiny phrase that used the aspect of democracy to expand its territories to North America heading towards the Pacific Ocean. “Manifest Destiny was a phrase that expressed the belief that the United States had a mission to expand, spreading its form of democracy and freedom (class lecture Wk 7)”

The significance of the U.S Mexican war brought about the establishment of boundaries between the United States and Mexico. Article V of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo instigated the boundary between Mexico and the United States to avoid the acquisition of boundaries with from President James K Polk. The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo also protected the rights of Mexicans in the United States by giving the Mexicans a choice to either be Americans or Mexicans “Articles VIII, IX, and X specifically referred to the rights of Mexicans in the United States (class lecture Wk 7).

The war also led to the expansion of the territories of the United States after it acquired from Mexico during the U.S Mexican war. (“After Mexico was defeated, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo added new territories such as Utah, Arizona, California, Nevada,” What was the US Mexican War 2-30 mins)  

Some important lessons learned.

The United States serge for boundary dominance led to disputes amongst the inhabitants of the land. The Mexicans fought the Americans for around two years to protect the acquisition of Mexico due to the vast resources present in Mexico.

Though the establishment of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, more Mexicans’ rights were protected from the illegal acquisition of Mexican land from the Americans. The treaty also protected the citizens of Mexico’s rights to having land titles and also practicing their religion. The Americans used religion to try to persuade the inhabitants of both Mexico and Canada in a mission to grab their land.

Why the war was significant for both countries and people involved.

For both the countries, the Mexicans and the Americans, under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ensured that the United States sets boundaries that would not cross over to acquire land from both Mexico and Northern America. The treaty also protected the rights of the Mexicans by ensuring safety on their lands as well as providing them with the title deeds.

Another sign of the war was the preservation of the cultural and religious heritage of the Mexicans. The treaty ensured the Mexicans safety from practicing a religion that they are not conversant in, but instead carry on with their beliefs and cultural settings.

Impacts of the war.

The war has led to modern-day disputes between the Americans and the Mexicans. Currently, there is a proposal on building a Mexican wall that would keep the Mexicans from entering the United States for they are believed to bring down the state of the economy. Also, racial segregation between the Mexicans and Americans has never ceased as the Mexicans are described as looters and robbers.

Comments

Manifest Destiny was an inappropriate scheme to acquire land from Mexico. “The violence was not military, but it was violence from the spirit (Treaty and the Aftermath.)” There were numerous deaths of Mexicans who got ambushed by Americans without them being stable in their military capacity.    

“The manifest Destiny remains controversial today” (Manifest Destiny Complicated). While teaching in schools, the correct account of the events needs to be in the literature books to make students judge from their reading.