"For myself," Grant wrote later about the United States war against Mexico, "I was bitterly opposed to the measure, and to this day regard the war, which resulted, as one of the most unjust ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation."
Full Answer
What did grant say about the war with Mexico?
"For myself," Grant wrote later about the United States war against Mexico, "I was bitterly opposed to the measure, and to this day regard the war, which resulted, as one of the most unjust ever...
How did the Mexican-American War affect Mexico?
The Mexican–American War was an embarrassment for Mexico and a goldmine for the United States, literally. Within days, the important port of Veracruz was blockaded by the U.S. navy.
What was Ulysses S Grant's role in the Mexican War?
The Mexican War. In September 1845, Grant's Fourth Infantry Regiment went to war. Although the army, under the command of General Zachary Taylor, was officially only an army of observation designed to ensure the uneventful annexation of Texas, few doubted that the army would soon become active militarily.
Why did the US and Mexico fight in the 19th century?
Throughout the 19 th Century, the United States was increasing in power and population while Mexico was stuck in chronic “political unrest, civil conflicts, depleted treasuries, [and] separatist movements” (Oscar J. Martinez, Troublesome Border [Tucson: the University of Arizona Press, 1988], 51).
What was Ulysses S Grant's opinion of the war with Mexico?
"For myself," Grant wrote later about the United States war against Mexico, "I was bitterly opposed to the measure, and to this day regard the war, which resulted, as one of the most unjust ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation."
Who disagreed with the war against Mexico?
Was there opposition to the Mexican-American War within the United States? Democrats, especially those in the Southwest, strongly favoured the Mexican-American War. Most Whigs, however, viewed the war as conscienceless land grabbing, and the Whig-controlled House voted 85 to 81 to censure Democratic Pres. James K.
Why did some oppose the war with Mexico?
Northern Whigs feared that war with Mexico would result in the United States gaining new territories in the southwest, which would encourage the expansion of slavery. At the same time, South Carolina Democratic senator John C.
Why was the Mexican War unfair?
The United States was unjustified in going into war with Mexico because President James K. Polk provoked it, the robbery of land, and the slavery expansion. Three main reasons America was unjustified in going into war with Mexico were that President James k.
Who was to blame for the Mexican-American War?
While President Polk blamed the Mexicans for causing the war because the Mexican governments left the United States with no other choice for defending its national security and interest; the Mexicans did not see this way.
Why did the US fight Mexico?
From 1846 to 1848, U.S. and Mexican troops fought against one another in the Mexican-American War. Ultimately, it was a battle for land where Mexico was fighting to keep what they thought was their property and the U.S. desired to retain the disputed land of Texas and obtain more of Mexico's northern lands.
Who opposed the Mexican-American War quizlet?
Many Northerners opposed it as a war of aggression against Mexico plotted by Southerners eager to add new slave states to the Union. Many opposed war for territorial gain. General that was a military leader in Mexican-American War and 12th president of the United States.
Why did the abolitionists opposed the Mexican War?
Most abolitionists opposed the war and slavery on moral grounds. Other Northerners did not want to compete with Southern slaveholders in any territory acquired from Mexico.
Why did some Americans not support the Mexican-American War?
Initially, the United States declined to incorporate it into the union, largely because northern political interests were against the addition of a new slave state. The Mexican government was also encouraging border raids and warning that any attempt at annexation would lead to war.
Was the US not justified in going to war with Mexico?
Ultimately, the war was not justi- fied for three big reasons: President Polk provoked it, America was just being greedy, and it meant the expansion of slavery. The war was not justified because President James Polk provoked the Mexican army into fighting. By May of 1846 Texas had become part of the United States.
Was the Mexican War Unjust?
Although the United States' war against Mexico resulted in the gaining of America's most valuable land, the war itself was unjust because Texas' reasons for independence were illegitimate, it was used to expand slavery, and the war was declared on false pretence.
What was the name of the mission that America expanded westward into the lands occupied by native tribes and the
The political, cultural and social era of the 1830s birthed a mission transcribed as Manifest Destiny , America's expansion westward into the lands occupied by native tribes and the Republic of Mexico.
Why was the war justified?
Polk, war was justified after all the diplomatic offers and inducements failed because American soldiers were ambushed and killed in the new state of Texas. For Lt. Grant, this conflict provided a great deal of combat experience, because he fought in every major battle except Buena Vista in February 1847.
Where was Lieutenant Grant stationed?
Lieutenant Grant stationed with the 4th U.S. Infantry at Jefferson Barracks, just south of St. Louis in 1843 after graduation, witnessed this national drama of the westward push of a new nation.
What was Grant's first taste of bloody combat?
This was Grant's first taste of bloody combat. By September 1846, Taylor's American army was encircling Monterrey, Mexico. Here, Grant exhibited an amazing feat of courage, amid this hellish urban combat among the narrow streets of Monterrey. Locked in fierce street by street fighting, Grant was forward with several companies when ammunition was ...
What was the most controversial issue of 1844?
The most controversial political issue of 1844 was the annexation of Texas, which Democratic President-elect James K. Polk convinced President John Tyler to push through in December 1844. In October 1845 comments to a friend, Lincoln supported the Whig Party indifference to national expansion, said the Texas annexation probably would not affect slavery, and added a telling note of caution: “It is possibly true, to some extent, that with annexation, some slaves may be sent to Texas and continued in slavery, that otherwise might have been liberated. To whatever extent this may be true, I think annexation an evil.” He added that free states should not interfere with slavery in slave states, but explained: “I hold it to be equally clear, that we should never knowingly lend our- selves directly or indirectly, to prevent that slavery from dying a natural death. . . .” By 1845, therefore, Lincoln was opposed to the expansion of slavery but believed it was prudent to await a more propitious moment to accomplish anything in regard to its demise.
What was the highlight of Ulysses Grant's career?
It was the highlight of Grant’s pre–Civil War career. Grant went to the war early (he even was pre-positioned in Louisiana in expectation of war) and fought in two theaters of that war under two very different commanding officers. He remained in Mexico until the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in February 1848.
Why did Grant visit Mexico?
For Grant, the very idea that a large country could attack a smaller country was the most immoral venture the United States had ever embarked upon. And that’s why after the Civil War, all the way to the end of his life, Grant would visit Mexico, had friends in Mexico, and admired Mexico’s struggle to become a liberal democracy.”.
What did Grant say about Native Americans?
In a letter to his wife Julia — while stationed in Fort Vancouver after the Mexican-American War — Grant denounces how Native Americans were being mistreated by white settlers: “My opinion [is] that the whole race would be harmless and peaceable if they were not put upon by the whites.”.
How did Ulysses Grant defend equal rights?
White describes in his 2016 biography “American Ulysses” how Grant defended equal rights for all Americans — first, by using the power of the federal government to support African-American voter rights against white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan; and then becoming the first president to take a moral stance in favor of Native Americans.
What territory did Mexico give up?
The enormous territory included present-day California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado and Wyoming.
When was the Treaty of Mexico signed?
The U.S. Congress approved the treaty on March 10. Although the Mexican War had been won, the conflict over what to do with the vast amounts of territory gained from the war sparked further controversy in the U.S.
Why did John Slidell send American troops to Texas?
Polk grew frustrated. Determined to acquire the land, he sent American troops to Texas in January of 1846 to provoke the Mexicans into war.
When did the Mexicans fire on American troops?
When the Mexicans fired on American troops in April 25, 1846, Polk had the excuse he needed. He declared, " [Mexico] has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil," and sent the order for war to Congress on May 11. The act was a questionable one.
Who was the Southerner who tried to gain land for the slaveholding South?
The act was a questionable one. Many Northerners believed that Polk, a Southerner, was trying to gain land for the slaveholding South. Other Americans simply thought it was wrong to use war to take land from Mexico. Among those was Second Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant.
Who were the first soldiers to fight in Mexico?
Young officers like Grant and Robert E. Lee, who would later lead armies against one another in the Civil War, had their first combat experiences in Mexico. Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott won a series of remarkable victories against the Mexican armies.
What was the name of the city that the American troops captured in 1847?
In September of 1847, after a masterful overland campaign, American troops under Scott captured Mexico's capital, Mexico City, and the fighting ended. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo sealed the American victory in 1848.
What was the Mexican American War?
Library of Congress. The Mexican–American War was an embarrassment for Mexico and a goldmine for the United States, literally. Within days, the important port of Veracruz was blockaded by the U.S. navy. The U.S. army fought their way overland into Mexico from California, Texas, and eventually from Veracruz straight to the capitol.
What did President Polk say when the Mexican army crossed the Rio Grande and skirmished with U.S. soldiers
soldiers, President Polk declared that America had been invaded and American blood had been shed. These words meant one thing: war. Mexican-American War battle scene. Library of Congress.
Why did President Polk send Nicholas Trist to Mexico?
President Polk sent “Peace Ambassador” Nicholas Trist to central Mexico in order to set the terms of the Treaty. On a note of interest, Trist was recalled by Polk but disobeyed orders to go back to Washington; he was the only American to sign the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo.
What border did the United States and Mexico have?
control and Mexico lost half of its country. The treaty established the Texas-Mexican border along the Rio Grande; fifteen years later it would be the same river that led to the Chamizal dispute between Mexico and the United States.
What happened to Santa Anna?
When Mexico would not admit defeat and offer up territory, American troops invaded the capital city and quickly took control. Santa Anna resigned as president and fled central Mexico in defeat.
When did Texas gain independence?
In 1835, Texas battled and gained independence from Mexico; Texas was a sovereign country for the next decade (the Lone Star Republic). In the Treaty of Velasco, the Texas-Mexico border was established along the Rio Grande.
Which river runs parallel to the Rio Grande?
Mexico claimed the international border to be the Nuecos River, while the U.S. claimed the border to be at the Rio Grande. The Nuecos River runs roughly parallel to the Rio Grande about fifty to one-hundred miles northeast (the Texas side) of it.
Who wrote the Mexican War reminiscences?
The following paragraphs concerning Lee and Grant's Mexican War reminiscence comes from Freeman's Robert E. Lee. It took me a little while to remember where I read it. It ties with Diane's comment about Lee not remembering Grant's appearance.
Who said "I had known General Lee in the old army, and had served with him in the Mexican War"?
Quoted from Grant's Memoirs:#N#"I had known General Lee in the old army, and had served with him in the Mexican War; but did not suppose, owing to the difference in our age and rank, that he would remember me; while I would more naturally remember him distinctly, because he was the chief of staff of General Scott in the Mexican War." ....#N#"We soon fell into a conversation about old army times. He remarked that he remembered me very well in the old army; and I told him that as a matter of course I remembered him perfectly, but from the difference in our rank and years (there being about sixteen years' difference in our ages), I had thought it very likely that I had not attracted his attention sufficiently to be remembered by him after such a long interval. Our conversation grew so pleasant that I almost forgot the object of our meeting."
What was the purpose of Cerro Gordo?
Cerro Gordo is one of the higher spurs of the mountains some twelve to fifteen miles east of Jalapa, and Santa Anna had selected this point as the easiest to defend against an invading army. The road, said to have been built by Cortez, zigzags around the mountain-side and was defended at every turn by artillery. On either side were deep chasms or mountain walls. A direct attack along the road was an impossibility. A flank movement seemed equally impossible. After the arrival of the commanding-general upon the scene, reconnoissances were sent out to find, or to make, a road by which the rear of the enemy’s works might be reached without a front attack. These reconnoissances were made under the supervision of Captain Robert E. Lee, assisted by Lieutenants P. G. T. Beauregard, Isaac I. Stevens, Z. B. Tower, G. W. Smith, George B. McClellan, and J. G. Foster, of the corps of engineers, all officers who attained rank and fame, on one side or the other, in the great conflict for the preservation of the unity of the nation. The reconnoissance was completed, and the labor of cutting out and making roads by the flank of the enemy was effected by the 17th of the month. This was accomplished without the knowledge of Santa Anna or his army, and over ground where he supposed it impossible. On the same day General Scott issued his order for the attack on the 18th.
Who told Lee he remembered him from the Mexican War?
Sam,#N#Do you remember the story that when Lee and Grant were at Appomattox that Grant told Lee he remembered him from the Mexican War, but Lee was unable to recall Grant ?
Who wrote the commendation for Grant?
I can't give you the proper source but I believe Scott commended Grant on his bravery, and it was his aide Capt Robert E Lee who wrote up the commendation.
What does Lee's comment to Grant mean?
I always interpreted Lee's comment to Grant to mean he didn't recall Grant's face at all - not that he didn't recall Grant's actions or having heard of him . (Grant kind of had that effect on people - he was singularly forgettable!)
Why did the US settle in Mexico?
Although Mexico was completely defeated militarily and US marines occupied Mexico City, the US (in a controversial move) declined to take over all of Mexico, and settled for the northern half, basically because they thought trying to govern a densely-populated Spanish-speaking area would be difficult.
Why did the Tejanos secede from Mexico?
First, slave-owning Anglo-American immigrants to Texas in alliance with elite Tejanos seceded from Mexico in 1836 because Mexico was trying to enforce its anti-slavery laws and sought to prohibit immigration of more Anglo-Americans into the area.
What is the Mexican cession?
The “Mexican cession” as it is somewhat euphemistically called, is central to the construction of the US nation. Forgetting the cession is central to the White supremacist project of defining the US as an Anglo-White nation, while remembering the cession is central to a Mexican American identity that says the Mexican people are indigenous ...
What did the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo mean?
What the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Actually Says. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo transferred the northern half of Mexico to US control.*. It is a central document in US history, as well as in Mexican history. The “Mexican cession” as it is somewhat euphemistically called, is central to the construction of the US nation.
What did the 1849 Constitution say about the Spanish and English language?
The 1849 Constitution of California stated that all bills would be printed in both Spanish and English. English dominance happens later. The short version is that the Anglo immigrants poured in and took over and as part of their dominance, re-defined the original inhabitants as foreigners.
What did the English only advocates call Spanish speakers?
English-only advocates called Spanish-speakers “foreigners.”.
When did California stop printing in English?
It not only eliminated the 1849 guarantee of bilingual documents, but required that official proceedings in California be printed ONLY in English, the first “English only” rule in the US that lasted until 1966. This is a state that had almost no English-speakers until the 1848 Gold Rush.