How did the concept of Manifest Destiny lead to war with Mexico?
1 Answer
Mexican Territory blocked the growth of the United States to the Pacific Ocean as desired by the idea of Manifest Destiny.
Explanation:
Manifest Destiny was the dream that America should control North America from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Mexico had legal claim to Texas and owned California , Arizona, and New Mexico.
In the Northwest the United States had achieved that dream of reaching the Pacific through the Louisana Purchase and the agreement with England about the Oregon Territory, But the United States extended as far south as California along the Atlantic coast of Florida. America wanted to extend their borders to the Pacific across the southwest as well as the northwest.
Mexico stood in the way of the dream of Manifest Destiny. President James Polk attempted to provoke Mexico into a war. The disagreements between the United States and Mexico over the border of Texas led to the Mexican American War.
As a result of the Mexican American War American gained ownership of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. The ownership of these states accomplished the dream of a country stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific, Manifest Destiny.
