See? Us Mexicans care for you!

[Jens]

We didn't "steal" Mexican land. If another nation trys to steal your territory, it only makes sense to teach them a little lesson.
Now, the Spanish-American War on the other hand...

Come on, what kind of legitimate claim did the US have on Mexico north of the Rio Grande?

The government of Texas voted to accede to the United States.

True, but in the eyes of everybody els they were a rebel province, much like Somaliland is looked upon today. Do you know how many states that recognised the independent republic of Texas?

Looked it up myself. According to Wikipedia, France, USA, UK, Netherlands and Yucatán recongnised Texas

Ah, but IIRC most of them did not recognize Texas' claim to extend all the way to the Rio Grande. Texas ended at the Nueces (or the Brazos? Can't tell those names apart...Not the Pecos.) River. In many ways it still does.

Rio Nueces

[John Dibble]

I believe we actually purchased the land after we won the Mexican-American War. That's just how nice we are.

Only the southern parts of New Mexico and Arizona (1853). The majority was aquired in the peace treaty after the war (1846-1848)

Actually, we purchased the land in the peace treaty as well. We just got far better terms then.

Yeah, I'm not talking about the Gadsden Purchase.

IIRC, we offered them $30,000,000 for the land before the war and gave them $15,000,000 after it.

When you force a country to give up half its territory and then give 15 million so they will stop crying, I wouldn't really call it a purchase

Do keep in mind that 15 million was worth a lot more back then - we got the LA Purchase for only 1.5 mil if you don't remember.

The war in question was over a border dispute, which are bound to occur when new nations are formed - both the U.S.(which also had recently integrated the newly independent Texas) and Mexico were relatively new. Oh, and I think it would have been likely had Mexico won they would have snagged some land as well - that's kind of how war tended to work back in the day, meaning you still wanted some sort of reparations from your defeated foe.

[Vincent]

I believe we actually purchased the land after we won the Mexican-American War. That's just how nice we are.

Only the southern parts of New Mexico and Arizona (1853). The majority was aquired in the peace treaty after the war (1846-1848)

Actually, we purchased the land in the peace treaty as well. We just got far better terms then.

Yeah, I'm not talking about the Gadsden Purchase.

IIRC, we offered them $30,000,000 for the land before the war and gave them $15,000,000 after it.

When you force a country to give up half its territory and then give 15 million so they will stop crying, I wouldn't really call it a purchase

Never said it was, I just wanted to get it cleared up.

IIRC,
Polk was ready to declare war using Mexico's unpaid depts as justification when the "invasion" occured.

Basically the troops were sent to provoke a war.



"We were sent to provoke a fight, but it was essential that Mexico should commence it."
- Ulysses S. Grant

http://www.bartleby.com/1011/4.html

[jimrtex]

The government of Texas voted to accede to the United States.

True, but in the eyes of everybody els they were a rebel province, much like Somaliland is looked upon today. Do you know how many states that recognised the independent republic of Texas?

The United States, France, and Bremen.  The UK and Mexico had agreed to recognition on the condition that Texas agree to remain independent.

ps It was the People in convention who agreed to accession, rather than the government.

[jimrtex]

Ah, but IIRC most of them did not recognize Texas' claim to extend all the way to the Rio Grande. Texas ended at the Nueces (or the Brazos? Can't tell those names apart...Not the Pecos.) River. In many ways it still does.

Thomas Jefferson believed that the Louisiana Purchase extended to the Rio Grande, based on La Salle's exploration and colonization.  John Quincy Adams sold the US out.  At the conclusion of the War of Independence, Presidents Burnet and Santa Anna concluded the Treaties of Velasco which recognized the Rio Grande as the boundary, in exchange for Santa Anna's parole, and Texas not claiming territory south of the river.  The Mexican government later refused to honor the treaties.

[KillerPollo]

Thomas Jefferson believed that the Louisiana Purchase extended to the Rio Grande

wow! how lame!

[??????????]

The Mexicans could have very likely have won the Mexican-American war provided they had a properly trained military. The equipment and uniforms they had were far superior to what the US was using at the time. The US army lacked good weaponry and had bulky uniforms. In actuality this has been a huge problem with our military for a very long time but they certainly have finally pretty much straightened it out by now.

[Vincent]

The Mexicans could have very likely have won the Mexican-American war provided they had a properly trained military. The equipment and uniforms they had were far superior to what the US was using at the time. The US army lacked good weaponry and had bulky uniforms. In actuality this has been a huge problem with our military for a very long time but they certainly have finally pretty much straightened it out by now.

Keeping the same government would of helped too.