Was the Mexican War an Exercise in American Imperialism?

Question

Critical Thinking and Reflection

1. Define imperialism by looking up the definition in a dictionary.

Discuss whether or not the dictionary definition is too narrow.

b. Does a nation need to control a country territorially to be imperialistic?

c. Discuss whether or not the United States pursued an imperialistic policy toward Mexico in the 1840s.

2. Define Manifest Destiny.

a. Where did the term originate?

b. Dld Manifest Destiny express the true feelings of the American people? Of American politicians? Or was

It an exaggeration?

c. Was Manifest Destiny merely a cover for American expansionist policies in Mexico?

d. Was Manifest Destiny racist? Explain.

3. What evidence does Ramón Eduardo Ruiz provide to support his contention that the U.S.-Mexico War was

motivated by racism and imperialism?

4. What is a "realist diplomatic historian"?

a. Examine the influences of the cold war and influences of political scientists on Graebner's thinking.

b. Analyze the following statement made by Graebner: "Nations do not fight over cultural differences or

verbal recriminations; they fight over perceived threats to their interests created by the ambitions or demands

of others.'

• Discuss the following three options which Polk could have taken after the Mexican government refused to

back down in Texas or to sell New Mexico and California to the United States: (1) withdraw the demands;

(2) scale down the demands; and (3) keep up the pressure until demands were met.

6. What other courses of action could President Polk have followed to achieve his objectives and to avoid a war?

7. Could California, like Texas, have become part of the United States through an internal revolution? Explain.

8. Has Mexico been hurt economically for the past 150 years because she lost control of Texas, New Mexico,

and California?

9. Compare the cases of President Polk in 1846 with the two Presidents Bush in the ways in which they waged

the Iraq Wars in 1991 and 2003.

Answer 1

The simple answer is yes, the Mexican War was an example of American Imperialism in the mid 19th Century. The United States was able to add California as a state and the territories of New Mexico and Arizona as a result of the war. It was the ultimate “Pay back” for the Mexican victory at the Alamo.