Victory through Broken Promises

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After Mexico declared its independence from Spain, tensions between the United States and Mexico arose. Before the people of Mexico declared their independence, the treaty between the leaders of the US and Spain in 1819, Adams-Onis Treaty, had established that the border of Mexico lied along the Sabine River. In 1821, the US and Mexican governments signed a treaty stating that both governments will strive to maintain the peace and harmony among the Native Americans that live along the border between the two countries. However, due to the unique geography of the Sabine River the US and Mexico had different interpretations of where the border actually lied. This led to US leaders claiming the city of Nacogdoches as their own, while the Mexican government believed that it was within their territory. When the US President sent General Gaines to occupy Nacogdoches, it led to the anti-American sentiment that would fuel the Mexican-American War. There are many causes of the Mexican-American War but a major cause was the US government redefining terms of a treaty for their own benefit. Throughout history US leaders redefined the terms of treaties with other countries and people, such as the Treaty of Alliance with France and the Treaty of Fort Laramie, for the benefit of expanding United States territory. The essential causes of the occupation of Nacogdoches were the treaties made by US leaders with both the leaders of Spain and Mexico. The United States government was looking to expand US territory which brought about tensions with Mexico. Texas was an especially difficult obstacle between US and Mexico peace relations because there were many US settlers in Texas. The US settlers outnumbered the amount of Mexicans in Texas and many of ... ... middle of paper ... ...ty of Fort Laramie to maintain the peace, so long as it was convenient for US citizens. The treaty in 1821 between Mexico and the US, the Treaty of Alliance with France and the Treaty of Fort Laramie revealed that the US government has defied or interpreted treaty terms for their own benefit. The ideals that the United States stands for—such as truth, justice and freedom—are questioned when one looks at the means of how the US rose to be the greatest power in the world. Works Cited Alan Axelrod, American Treaties and Alliances, (Washington, DC: A Division of Congressional Quarterly Inc., 2000) Robert, L., and Pauline Jones. “Occupation of Nacogdoches.” East Texas Historical Journal, 50 (2012), no.2: 16-40 Justin H. Smith, War with Mexico (Gloucester: The Macmillan Company, 1963) Alan Axelrod, Political History of America’s Wars, (Washington, D.C.: CQ, 2007)

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