Essay Topics for Mexican American War

Essay Topics for Mexican American WarMexican American War essay topics for students to help them analyze the war. The war was one of the most popular events of the nineteenth century. It is also the first major confrontation between the United States and Mexico. During the course of the war, over 200,000 soldiers were killed in action.The United States was fighting the Mexican-American War as a result of persistent complaints that Mexico had occupied Texas. Mexico had occupied Texas in order to prevent the United States from expanding eastward. A second reason for the United States to fight the war was that it wanted to regain control of its territory. Since it was unable to govern territories which had been granted to various European powers, it wished to have control over Texas and any other territories which were not part of the new American states. As well, the United States believed that it needed to control all of Mexico, including its western border.Students will be able to se e different perspectives on the war in this essay topic. They will be able to compare the perspectives of the two sides, as well as reflect on why they think that way.The United States was angered at Mexico for occupying Texas. Its soldiers did not come to terms with what happened.The United States was also unhappy because many of its citizens felt that Mexicans were stealing the oil in Texas and that Mexicans were creating a slave society. Mexicans considered the United States to be the aggressor in the war and were furious at the United States for the treatment they were given by the United States Army. The United States Army used excessive force in many cases in order to put down the rebellion of the Texans.Many Americans were angry at Mexicans for cutting down their crops and killing their livestock in Texas. The United States wanted to turn Texas into an outpost of civilization in the Southwest. During the war, the United States Army had made a law that captured Texans would be returned to Mexico, even if they were American citizens.Mexican Americans felt that the United States was unjustly punishing Mexicans for the crimes of others. They felt that the United States was punishing the Mexican people, and that its actions were not just. Therefore, it was understandable that they would support the Mexican-American War.Students can easily make a distinction between the opinions of Mexicans and Americans, even though the war was fought primarily in the United States. They will then be able to see how the war affected the nation. A good essay topic is one that will allow students to reflect on the war and why they believe the way they do.