Skip to main content

How did the U.S. acquire the Mexican Cession of 1848?

The Mexican Cession of 1848 was taken after the Mexican War.  James K. Polk, an expansionist Democrat, took advantage of a border dispute between Mexico and Texas that came after Texas's war of independence.  Under the Treaty of San Jacinto, both Mexico and Texas claimed the land between the Rio and Nuecces Rivers.  When Polk sent General Zachary Taylor to the disputed region and Mexico predictably fired upon them as trespassers, Polk had the reason...

The Mexican Cession of 1848 was taken after the Mexican War.  James K. Polk, an expansionist Democrat, took advantage of a border dispute between Mexico and Texas that came after Texas's war of independence.  Under the Treaty of San Jacinto, both Mexico and Texas claimed the land between the Rio and Nuecces Rivers.  When Polk sent General Zachary Taylor to the disputed region and Mexico predictably fired upon them as trespassers, Polk had the reason to go to war.  The war went disastrously for Mexico due to logistical reasons and its inefficient army. The people of California revolted from Mexico and became the Bear Flag republic.  Under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that ended the war in 1848, Mexico ceded all of its land north of the Rio Grande.  In order for America to retain its perceived moral high ground, treaty negotiator Nicholas Trist offered $15 million to the Mexican government.  The Mexican Cession and the ensuing Gadsden Purchase were all part of America's Manifest Destiny, in which many Americans believed that they were destined to rule the North American continent.  

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...