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The Mexican American War: The Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo

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The Mexican American War started in 1846 because of Mexican resentment caused by the 1836 loss of Texas and the American’s desire for Mexico’s more northern territory. “On September 9, 1847 after two years of fighting, the Mexican American war essentially ended when the American Army captured Mexico City after the Battle of Chapultepec”( 6). The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war. United States leaders then acted morally superior in their negotiations of the treaty 1. During negotiations, United States officials viewed the “forcible incorporations” (1) of almost one half of Mexico’s land as an “event foreordained by providence and Manifest Destiny” (1). The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is written evidence of the biggest land acquisition in American history. …show more content…

The treaty increased the United State 's size by one third. “In two years the United States acquired the entire Southwest, almost one million square miles, including the present day states of California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado” (4). In exchange for land the United States promised to pay the Mexican government almost 20 million dollars and assume up to 3 million dollars in United States citizens’ land claims against Mexico. On the other hand, between the annexation of Texas and the signing of the treaty, Mexico lost 55% of its territory in 12 years. “The Treaty was the crowning achievement of an unjust war incited and waged by a stronger, richer nation against its weaker, poorer neighbor” (3). The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo at the end of the Mexican American War caused economic success in the United States due to the discovery of resources, and American distrust of Mexicans, especially those living in Texas and the area of land ceded in

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