Mexican-American War: A Critique of “Mexican-American War” from eb.com (Encyclopedia Britannica)
Elise Barrus
Salt Lake Community College
The result of the Mexican-American War is viewed by many as a positive thing for America and by some as a negative. I think some of the ways in which the war was executed puts America to shame. Congress most likely would not have agreed to war with Mexico had James K. Polk not stretched the truth about Americans being killed on American soil. Ultimately of course I view the result of the Mexican-American War as a positive because of the land we acquired. On the other hand I do believe that how America handled the Mexican-American War branded America as a country that takes what it wants at any cost. It is unfortunate that Mexico didn’t sell the land to America from the beginning considering the fact that in the end, we bought it anyway for half the cost and Mexico paid dearly in the loss of it’s men. However, I do admire Mexico for standing up for what they wanted and believed in.
James K. Polk replaced Zachary Taylor with General Scott when it became clear that Taylor did not have the heart nor the intellect for the war. General Taylor failed to vigorously fight the Mexicans on many occasions. He was also not a scholar and didn’t plan his attacks as well as General Scott did. I think Polk’s decision to replace Taylor with Scott ultimately won the war. Zachary Taylor did not take the replacement well. He went on to become the next president of the United States but many think he was motivated more from revenge than desire.
James K. Polk was an ambitious president and I think he had good intentions for the most part. I can agree that he was a little greedy but he did make America what it is today.
