Mexican American Imperialism

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The ideas for the War with Mexico were born from the ideals of Manifest destiny and in a time when America sought to show her military power. The ideas of both patriotism and nationalism following the war of 1812 spawned a desire within Americans not only to expand westward, but to show of the strength of the Nation’s military. In 1820 James Monroe issued his Monroe Doctrine which stated that United States would no longer be open for colonization or conquest, of course this didn't mean that America couldn't continue to practice imperialism and during the time of Manifest destiny that is exactly what they did. (Acuna, 231). "Their (Mexican's) natural enemies are the officers and the soldiers of the North American army which dominates them through …show more content…
The pursuit for wealth either in slavery or in gold pushed many people and this drive for power, as well as the attemps to control or eradicate those people living within the territories led to the high tensions of the war. A Mexican native at the time wrote "Up to this point things could still have been arranged through diplomatic channels, and the rights of Mexico could have been guaranteed by treaty, but the Loco Faco party was absolutely determined that Mexico should not only suffer the loss of its territory but it should bear the Shane and humiliation of having its territory torn from it by force of arms" (A Mexican Assesses the War, 1848. 461). American's knew that Mexico would stand little chance against her military and enforced her power both for wealth and for the exertion of military prowess. In the end the Mexican war added to the nation’s reputation of strength and power and earned much more money that it cost, turning over a large profit and fulfilling the wants of many of America's citizens. (Rakestraw …show more content…
Trist ignoring his summons back to America remained in Mexico and began negotiate in January 1848. Around this time the presiding justice of the Mexican Supreme Court, Manuek de la Peña became the president and knowing that Mexico was beaten consider to the American's request for a treaty. (Acuna 233). In February, 1848 the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was first ratified by the Mexican government, which accepted the Rio Grand as the Texas boarder and sold the lands of California, Arizona, Utah and Colorado for fifteen million dollars. (Johannsan 488). The treaty was ratified by the Senate on March 10th, 1848 with a twenty four to thirty five vote where the territory was agreed upon, the Treaty was then again ratified by the Mexican congress nine days later to officially end the war. Under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Mexicans who were settled within the now sold territory were gives certain rights, covered under Articles eight and nine of the treaty. These rights included given the people one year to either return to Mexican territory or stay, and having the same rights as American citizens along with some so called special privileges that allowed them to continue practicing their language, laws, and religions. However, despite these articles not many Mexican's
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