Texas Annexation And The Mexican War Essay

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The Intentions of the Texas Annexation and the Mexican War From starting a war to threatening foreign relations, the United States was greedy for land and was willing to take drastic measures in order to expand the borders. During the 1840s, America seized many opportunities to satisfy its appetite for more territory. With the new territories acquired, more problems arose. The balance of slave and free states was always threatened with the acquisition of territory. Due to their location in the south, the new territories tended to lean towards being slave states. Abolitionists were not content with the balance leaning towards the South so in turn, they made the annexation of Texas and the Mexican War seem as if they were for the expansion of slavery. Once again divided, the north and south have differing views behind the rationale of taking the new territory. The intention of the Texas annexation and the Mexican War was for the expansion of land and not the expansion of slavery. Threatened by the desires of Britain, the United States sought the need to take Texas before anyone else could. …show more content…
Britain was in favor of an independent Texas because if Texas was its own entity, it could stop the expansion of the United States. Britain was willing to make relations with Texas if it were to stay independent, but if they were a part of Britain, it would be the ideal situation for them. Soviet historian NinaV. Potokova explores the possibility of Texas becoming a part of Britain when she states:
Since at least at that moment Texas ' acceptance of slavery represented a major obstacle to the North 's willingness to accept the Lone Star Republic into the Union, it was in Britain 's interest to bolster her Southwestern friend 's inclination to stay independent, and thus to enhance the likelihood that Albion herself would be able before long to exert a large, long-term influence. (Potokova 59) Britain was willing to be involved with Texas due to the benefits it was able to reap if they were to make a coalition. Britain could also use Texas as an area for free-trade and a place for manufacturing. The idea of Texas being with Britain did not sit well with the United States. The enemy would be on America’s ground and pose a threat against the South’s economy. As said in an article from the Texas State Library, “ A free Texas under British domination was the worst nightmare of the American South. Such an alliance would wreck the Southern cotton trade and threaten the very existence of plantation culture” (Texas Annexation Questions and Answers 1). The south’s economy would have definitely taken a downfall if Texas was not a part of the United States. In order to prevent these issues from occurring, America quickly attempted to annex Texas. In the end, John Tyler hastily called for a joint resolution adding Texas to the United States. The idea of another major power on the territory of the United States posed a threat that had to be dealt with. Once again, Britain was thought to have intentions of taking land that the United States was interested in. California was one of Polk’s goals during his presidency. Britain having California went against the Monroe Doctrine. That stated that the intervention of external powers in the United States would set up a hostile act against the United States. Britain having their foot on American soil could allow them to expand as well and benefit from the coastal location California is situated in. Although the rumors were fake, it was enough to make Polk apprehensive. Polk wanted California was willing to offer up to $25 million for it. Mexico declined the offer frustrating Polk which led to the clash between Mexico and the United States. Blood was shed for the sake of retrieving California. The intention of the clash is described when the textbook states: California was an imperative point in his program, and Mexico would not sell it at any price. The only way to get it was to use force or wait for an internal American revolt. Yet delay seemed dangerous for the claws of the British lion might snatch the ripening California fruit from the

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