Several arguments put forth at the time led to the conclusion that the Mexican–American War was unfair. Both Mexico and the United States have contributed to the injustice of the conflict. Both nations had a significant impact on the conflict. Politics and the military clashed during the conflict, which ultimately brought about a number of changes in the two neighboring countries. Based on an assault launched by a stronger America against a weaker Mexico, the Mexican-American War was unjust.
President Polk's Invasion
President Polk's invasion led to the emergence of skirmishes within Mexico and not within America. President Polk was more determined to expand the American territory since he considered Mexico as being a country that was aggressive. President Polk urged the Congress to declare war on Mexico. The reasons that were given by President Polk were all lies because no American blood was shed within the American borders. Also, at the time Mexico had no money, and it was profoundly divided, and thus, President Polk took advantage of the country which led to the war to be considered as being unjust. Mexico being without money saw President Polk offer the country $30 million in an attempt to bully the Mexican government to give nearly half of its land (AllHistories).
Anti-Irish Immigration
The second reason that supports the Mexican American war being unjust is the issue of the anti-Irish immigration that made the Irish immigrants join Mexico in fighting Americans. The Irish people played a significant role in the Mexican American war. They supported Mexico because they had common issues affecting them at the time. The two groups fought together based on the common weaknesses that they had which were based on how the Americans viewed them. On the part of the Irish army that joined Mexico decamped from the American side because they were given jobs that were disgusting and dangerous such as digging of the trenches and cleaning houses which made them angry towards the Americans. They considered themselves as a race that was being treated poorly within the American society (Kenny 121).
British-like Methods
The third reason for the Mexican American war being unjust is that methods that Americans used that were similar to those that were applied by the British during the colonial period. The first aspect is that Americans used strong military might to fight a weaker country that was struggling to fund its military. The unjust actions that were employed by America included blackmail and forceful entry into another country's territory. The second aspect of British-like method used by America was the use of strong military equipment towards a state that had inferior weapons. Despite America having less number of soldiers they still wounded more Mexican soldiers because of the strength of the weapon that they had as compared to that of the Mexicans. The third aspect of the war is that the Americans believed that they were superior and that they could defeat anyone. Hence, they knew that they could certainly beat Mexico at any time (AllHistories).
Atrocities by the United States
The fourth aspect of that makes the Mexican American war unjust is the atrocities that were committed by the United States towards Mexico during the period of the war. America committed various violations against a weaker country that triggered the war, and yet America knew very well the effects of their provocations. The first aspect of the atrocity committed is that General Taylor after defeating the Mexicans still pushed towards the Mexican territory to start another fight with the Mexican army that was being led by General Santa Anna (AllHistories).
The proceeding of the American army into the Mexican is an issue that contributed to atrocities witnessed as it was an act of invasion that triggered Mexico to again engage in a war with a stronger America. Hence, it led to deaths and injuries amongst the Mexican people (Acuña, 43). Overall, the there were atrocities committed to a country that was already weak and could not even have had a meaningful resistance was not good. In some of the cases, there was the death of women and children who were killed by the American army in which President Polk's critics found to be shameful (Tucker et al., 158).
Conclusion
The essay has analyzed some of the significant reasons used when evaluating the unjust nature of the Mexican American war. Based on the critical analysis that has been done, it is evident that America used its might to attack a weak country that was weak based on various internal factors such as lack of money to finance the military. Also, the essay analysis has established that America took advantage of the favoring factors that it had such as having the abilities similar to that of the British to attack Mexico. Therefore, in conclusion, the Mexican American war was unjustified because a strong America attacked a weak Mexico.
Works Cited
Acuña, Rodolfo F. Occupied America: A History of Chicanos. London: Pearson:, 2014.
Kenny, Kevin. The American Irish: A History. Abingdon-on-Thames: Routledge, 2014.
Tucker, Spencer, et al. The encyclopedia of the Mexican-American War: a political, social, and military history. California: ABC-CLIO, 2013.
