How should i start on my essay on how The American war with Mexico was an unprovoked and unjustifiable war?

Answer 1

Ahh, but it wasn't "unjustifiable", as it was, in effect, a naked land grab.

If you wish, tell a story about a bully who was looking to pick a fight with anyone. Finding one weaker, he forces the child into a fight that the child loses and the bully takes their lunch as "punishment."

Answer 2

Point out that a future President of the United States, serving as a new Member of Congress from Illinois was so against the war that he challenged President Polk to come to the well of the House chamber and point out the exact place on the map where Mexicans had shed the blood of Texans. That Congressman was Abraham Lincoln.
BTW, Lincoln's speech so unsettled the senior Congressman from Massachusetts that he collapsed over his desk and was dead a short time later. He was a former President named John Quincy Adams. Makes it all sound like an episode of "The Twilight Zone".

Answer 3

Do the reading and research first, then write. Be sure and look up the Mexican General's leg that we kept. You might want to make "unprovoked and unjustified the Mexican American War your opening statement and then explain. Make me proud of that report.

Answer 4

Frankly, you are starting with your conclusion and then retroactively supporting it, which makes any you say suspect.
You also appear to be judging a war over 160 years ago by today's standards, most of which were not codified into international law until 100 years after the conflict.
I recommend that you do a lot more research into the factors that led to the war. From my recollection of readings on this war, Mexico is not entirely blameless in this instance. Remember, it takes 2 to tango.

Best of luck.

Answer 5

Google Abraham Lincoln's statements against the war when he was a congressman from Illinois.

One quote - "It is a fact, that the United States Army, in marching to the Rio Grande, marched into a peaceful Mexican settlement, and frightened the inhabitants away from their homes and their growing crops."

Another - "That soil was not ours; and Congress did not annex or attempt to annex it." (replying to President Polk's claim that Mexico killed Americans on American soil)

Lincoln was willing to fight for the principle. He voted for a resolution that declared the war unnecessary and accused Polk of violating the Constitution by starting it. The voters in Lincoln's district were overwhelmingly for the war and he lost a great deal of popularity by opposing it. It is disputed whether or not this was the reason he did not seek reelection.

Years later, some people in his old district who had spoken out against him because of it actually apologized publicly and said he was right.

Another quote by Joshua Giddings, congressman from Ohio - "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."

Answer 6

I like the post from Liz. The lack or Mexico's ability to sustain a government, even in it's heartland in and around Mexico City, and their total inability to maintain control over 'their' land to the north, combined with Texas being the focal point of America's drive westward, and you have the foundation. The northern territory of Mexico was run by bandits and outlaws, and they collided with settlers headed to the coast and to cattle land in Texas. The aboriginal people were not able to protect themselves or the land and it's resources.

Answer 7

ha, just like that: The Mexican-American war was unprovoked and unjustifiable.

Then support the claim.......

Answer 8

To the victor goes the spoils! goodbye mexicans