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American Militarism

American Militarism. U.S. History. Overview. Throughout it’s history as a country, the U.S. has maintained a military. The military has been used to: D efend the U.S. from invaders. War of 1812 Expand the territory of the U.S. Mexican- American War

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American Militarism

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  1. American Militarism U.S. History

  2. Overview • Throughout it’s history as a country, the U.S. has maintained a military. • The military has been used to: • Defend the U.S. from invaders. • War of 1812 • Expand the territory of the U.S. • Mexican- American War • Protect U.S. interests in other parts of the world. • Spanish American War • Vietnam War • Korean War • Iraq War • Defend allies from harm • World War I, World War II

  3. Overview • During the next few weeks, we will examine a variety of wars that the U.S. has been involved in. • As we learn, we will continue to ask ourselves some guiding questions. • What motives did the U.S. have for getting involved in this war? • Was the use of military force justified? • Did the ends (results) justify the means? • What is the cost of war?

  4. Review • America originally started as 13 colonies along the East Coast of North America. • During the late 1700’s/ early 1800’s, Americans expanded westward towards the Mississippi river. • Native American Removal • Louisiana Purchase from France • However, territory did not stretch “from sea to shining sea…”

  5. America, 1750’s

  6. America, 1820’s

  7. America, Today“My, how you’ve grown…”

  8. Manifest Destiny • Manifest Destiny refers to the belief that God intended American settlers (white) to expand across North America. • Native Americans, Mexicans, etc. wouldn’t properly use the land.

  9. Expansionists and Manifest Destiny • The Southwestern portion of today’s U.S.A. was originally a part of the newly formed nation of Mexico. • Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Nevada, etc. • Rich in natural resources • Some Americans, known as expansionists, believed the U.S. should take this territory. • Ask yourself: “In this case, was war JUSTified?”

  10. We want it!!!!

  11. The Mexican American War (1846-1847) • Texas had just become a part of the U.S. • Mexico did not recognize TX as a part of the U.S. • Texas also claimed land that was to the west of the Nueces river to the Rio Grande belonged to Texas.

  12. The Mexican American War (1846-1847) • President James Polk sends troops commanded by General Zachary Taylor to the area between the Nueces and Rio Grande rivers. • Polk was a strong believer in Manifest Destiny • Technically a part of Mexico, but claimed by the U.S. • Mexican government ordered U.S. troops to withdraw • On April 26th, 1846, Mexican Calvary killed 70 U.S. soldiers who had entered the disputed territory. • Polk stated in his message to Congress on May 11, 1846, "Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil.“ • Mexicans, however, felt that it was Mexican blood being shed on Mexican soil!

  13. Opposition to the War • Many accused the Polk of lying about the attack and starting the war under false pretenses. • “In the murder of Mexicans upon their own soil, or in robbing them of their country, I can take no part either now or here-after. The guilt of these crimes must rest on others. I will not participate in them.” • Joshua Giddings, Rep. from Ohio • “We charge the President with usurping the war-making power ... with seizing a country ... which had been for centuries, and was then in the possession of the Mexicans .... Let us put a check upon this lust of dominion. We had territory enough, Heaven knew” • Robert Toombs, Georgia

  14. Outcomes of the M-A War • U.S. had great advantages • Larger • Wealthier • More industry • Stronger military, navy, etc. • U.S. won fairly easily. • In Feb of 1848, Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. • Added 1.2 million sq. miles of territory to the U.S. (New Mexico, California, Nevada, etc.) • Rio Grande became the southern boundary of Texas.

  15. The Mexican Cession

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