Monday, December 9, 2013

Justifying Westward Expansion

The idea of Manifest Destiny was a controversial part of the expansion of the US during the middle 1800s. Your group did a close reading of four sources relating to the westward expansion of the United States. Using those sources, answer this prompt in a well written paragraph: How was the westward expansion of the United States and the taking of land from Mexico and Native Americans justified by people at the time? Be sure to effectively use evidence from the primary sources provided, and properly cite those sources.

Be sure to start your response with: your class period and first names last initials (example: P1 Annie A and Billy Z)

Reading 1:
Texas has been absorbed into the Union as the inevitable fulfillment of the general law which is rolling our population westward....It was disintegrated from Mexico in the natural course of events, by a process perfectly legitimate on its own part, blameless on ours....
California will, probably next fall away from...Mexico...imbecile and distracted...The Anglo-Saxon foot is already on its borders....All this without agency of our government, without responsibility of our people--in the natural flow of events, the spontaneous working of principles....
Democratic Review, 1845
Reading 2:
Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have commenced and that the two nations are now at war.

As war exists, and, notwithstanding all our efforts to avoid it, exists by the act of Mexico herself, we are called upon by every consideration of duty and patriotism to vindicate with decision the honor, the rights, and the interests of our country.
Polk's War Message, 1846

Reading 3:
Now we ask, whether any man can coolly contemplate the idea of recalling our troops from the [Mexican] territory we at present occupy...and...resign this beautiful country to the custody of the ignorant cowards and profligate ruffians who have ruled it for the last twenty-five years? Why humanity cries out against it. Civilization and Christianity protest against this reflux of the tide of barbarism and anarchy.
New York Evening Post, 1848
Reading 4:
Have not results in Mexico taught the invincibility of American arms?...The North Americans will spread out far beyond their present bounds. They will encroach again and again upon their neighbors. New territories will be planted, declare their independence, and be annexed. We have New Mexico and California! We will have Old Mexico and Cuba! The isthmus cannot arrest--nor even the Saint Lawrence!! Time has all of this in her womb. A hundred states will grow up where now exists but thirty.
DeBow's Commercial Review, 1848

58 comments:

Anonymous said...

P3 Joshua L. David V

1.Mexico lost California for being dumb and distracted.

2.Mexico took it to far and now United states is angry and wants to go to war with Mexico.

3.Now United states took over California finally from Mexico.

4.America cant be beaten by any other country because of there weaponry.

Anonymous said...

p3 bryan a & berenise g

they thought it was going to be okay because they had the land for a long time

Anonymous said...

1.) mexico lost California, for being distracted.

2.) mexico has crossed into america and killed some americans in their own land. The honor rights and the interests of own country.

3.) why would america give land back to cowards who had it for a long time.

4.) America is better than its neighbors, if they stand they will expand until they reach the limit.

Anonymous said...

(Per 3 Emmanuel R & David R)

They thought it was ok because mexico had that land for a long time. they also believed that mexico crossed american boundaries so that means america can take their land. they also believed that america was the best country and shall own all land. We got this information from readings (1234)

Anonymous said...

Jair G.& Litzhy M.
Per 3.

R1. Mexico is retarded and distracting they lost california
R2. Mexico passed the boundarys of the state and there saying that Mexico started the war.
R3. Resign this beautiful country to the ignorant cowards and profilage ruffians who have ruled it for the fast 25 years.
R4. We have New Mexico and California. We will have old Mexico and Cuba.

Anonymous said...

P.3 Daniel M & Nicole M
1.Mexico is retarded and distracting they lost California.

2.Mexico passed the boundaries of the state and there saying that started the war.

3.Resign this beautiful country to the ignorant cowards and profigate officians who have ruled it for the last twenty-five years.

Anonymous said...

p.3 alan m brianna p.

1.) Mexico lost california for being distracted.
2.)Mexico has crossed into america and killed some americans in their own land. the honor rights and the interests of own country.
3.) why would america give land back to cowards who had it for a long time.
4.)america is better than its neighbors if they stand they will expand until they reach the limit

Anonymous said...

Erik G, Gissel G., per.3

1.Mexico is retarted and distracting the lost California

2.Mexico passed the boundary of the state and there saying the Mexico is starting war

3.Our country is a beautiful country and it is under control

4.that America will have more country and will grow bigger

Anonymous said...

Alyssa Blanco & Natalie Barrragan
p.3
The justification for the westward expansion of the U.S. is that Mexico will loose California the text says "California will probably next fall away from...Mexico... imbecile and distracted

Anonymous said...

P1 BRYAN M

During the westward expansion of the U.S the justification of the people was they wanted more land for farming some people would say "it was pioneer paradise". "its was a inevitable fulfillment of the general law which is rolling our population westward".

Anonymous said...

joshua gomez and paola ramirez p.5

1)Mexico es un pais donde hay personas que son distraidos entonces E.U.A puede tomar su tierra.

2) Mexico mato a muchos soldados en la tierra de Estados Unidos

3) Los Estados Unidos tenian que remodelar la tierra que fue una vez de Mexico por que los mexicanos eran covardes y perdedores

4) Estados Unidos era invisibles.

Anonymous said...

Jeffrey C. p.5b 12/12/13

The U.S.A was conquering land that other countries owned like Mexico because during the time Mexico had just fought war and since they had just fought war they were dumb and distracted.It was o.k for the U.S.A to take the land because Mexico went on U.S territory and killed americans.The U.S.A had to redesign the territory because during the time Mexico was ignorant and cowards.So we had the right after all to take the territories because we were superior than the other contries.

Anonymous said...

Period 5 Lissbeth F.& Mayte C.
The United States should have all of this land because California is going to fall away from Mexico because their distracted. The key quote is imbecile. The second reasons why the the united states should take over all of this land is because war exists and you can't run away from it. The third reason why the United States should take over all of the land is because the United States can take many orders because they're "ignorant, cowards,and profligate ruffians," their thugs. The final reason is why it was okay to take their lands was because the United States is going to take over everything and its going to be a mass of people supporting them.

Anonymous said...

Fabian Rios & Yamilet Perez

The westward expansion of the United States and the taking of the land from Mexico and the Native Americans was that Mexico was stupid and they were stupid and didn't have a bi army to fight the Americans.The Americans took some land from Mexico and became Texas.The Americans also took land from the British.

Anonymous said...

P;5 Ramiro Gastelum & Kimberly Vargas
I believe that the Americans and the Mexicans war should have never excisted because there is a couple of Mexicans in America. Most Latins are Mexicans .

Anonymous said...

p5 yocelyn a and jazmin s
we think that our answer is reading 1 because in the reading it says"California will, probably next fall away from...Mexico...imbecile and distracted...The Anglo-Saxon foot is already on its borders....All this without agency of our government, without responsibility.That means that Mexico wasnt really smart at the time so the Americans could defeet Mexico faster, and there distracted.

Anonymous said...

p5 yocelyn a and jazmin s
we think that our answer is reading 1 because in the reading it says"California will, probably next fall away from...Mexico...imbecile and distracted...The Anglo-Saxon foot is already on its borders....All this without agency of our government, without responsibility.That means that Mexico wasnt really smart at the time so the Americans could defeet Mexico faster, and there distracted.

Anonymous said...

Samuel R , Jennifer s.
It is taking from the natives and Mexico because the Americans are moving west and they want all the land in the west so it making them find more land or get smaller in Mexico case.The reason for going west is that Mexico is dumb just like in reading 1 reading .2 was that mexico went to their land reading .3 was that it was govern by cowards and ruffians.in reading 4 u.s was invinceable.

Anonymous said...

period 5 vargas,jiovanni:the U.S. wanted 2 get more land than Mexico cuz they wanted land

Anonymous said...

p.5 Carlos G & Stephanie G

Mexico is an imbecile.Mexico wants to take over the U.S.A and kill all the Americans.They are thinking of starting another war.The Mexicans finally realized they can not defeat America,now America owns California and New Mexico.

Anonymous said...

p5 Rubenc matthewc 1.that mexico and california will fall to texas because how weak and they were so many mexicans.1

Anonymous said...

P.5 Natalie D & Joseph R. They justified the people by war because they lost there land and they wanted revenge vs the other people.

Anonymous said...

p5.Yaslyn l. Noem C.

The justification for the westward expansion has several reasons to it.Many people thought it was ok for the united states to take land from different countries because some people were distracted at the time."Mexico...imbecile and distracted..."(Democratic Reading,1845)In some cases Americans would declare war for bloodshed and trespassing,like Mexico in document.2 (Polk's War Message,1846),"Mexico has passed the boundary of the united states,has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil."The united states thought that Mexicans were ignorant cowards and losers,so they remodeled the newly owned land,"..resign this beautiful country to the custody of the ignorant cowards and profligate ruffians who have ruled it for the last twenty-five years?",(New York Evening Post,1848)Since the united states has won, bought and have compromised for land and have gotten so much of the land they think they are invincible.,"Have not results in Mexico taught the invincibility of American arms?"(DeBow's Commericial Review,1848

Anonymous said...

P2 esmeralda s & Armando S

The westward expansion is that Texas took advantage
of mexico because there retarded and distracted
"Mexico...imbecile and distracted ." The United States declare war because mexico has invaded their territory."Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States."Mexico shouldn't rule this country because there ignorant and think there thugs. "[Mexican] territory we at present occupy...and...resign this beautiful country to the custody of the ignorant cowards and profligate ruffians who have ruled it for the last twenty-five years?"The United States is able to do things because there better."Have not results in Mexico taught the invincibility of American arms?"

Anonymous said...

P2, Steven R & Joseph R

The westward expansion of the United States and taking of land from Mexico and native Americans justified by people at that time was that the u.s. should take away California from Mexico because Mexico is distracted and dumb and they do not know how to rule the land.(Reading1)
Also Mexico has invaded American territory, so the u.s. could invade their territory.(Reading2) "Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States".
Furthermore, the leadership of Mexico is ruled by cowards and thugs which do not know how to properly run the land.(Reading3)"Resign this beautiful country to the custody of the ignorant cowards and profligate ruffians".
Finally, the u.s. will keep on expanding its territory no matter what gets in their way. Thats why it was ok for the u.s. to take over Mexico and native American land.

Anonymous said...

P2 Karen T Selene S
The people felt that the westward expansion of the united states was fine. They took each country with a very good reason. The first country was California. They took it because Mexico was distracted and imbecile. The second country was Texas. They didn't want to start war but Mexico killed an American on their land. Mexico,"shed American blood on American soil" (Reading 2)For the third country it was best for the U.S. to take it because the people ruling it are ignorant cowards and profligate ruffians. "ignorant cowards and profligate ruffians who have ruled it for the last 25 years," (Reading 3) The United States will keep expanding no matter who gets in their way, This is what they thought but they did eventually stop.

Anonymous said...

Jocelin A. , Mariana A. Period .2

Mexico was an" imbecile and was distracted."The U.S realized it and saw it as an advantage and then eventually took over. The angel in the picture represents that it was okay to do what was done,because an angel leads to good things. Mexico was unresponsible which also proves how everyone was heading towards west , which also shows that they all agreed into pushing the natives away .

Anonymous said...

P:2 Stephanie R. and Alex R.

It was justified because Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil. The United States declared war on Mexico because they have invaded our territories and our country.

Because It was disintegrated from Mexico in the natural course of events, by a process perfectly legitimate on its own part, blameless on ours. The U.S is on there own territory and can do as they please .

We feel like the expansion is right in every way.

Anonymous said...

P2 Samantha R. Anthony R.
The Americans believed that it was there destiny to move westward and they would go through anything just to get their such as when they wanted Mexico (Reading #1)

Anonymous said...

P2 Bryan Cervantes, Nancy Castro

The Westward expansion of the U.S is justified because Mexico became distracted and weak, so the U.S had the opportunity to take it. ' Mexico... imbecile and distracted.' (Reading1)Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil. this sentence shows how Mexico started the war by crossing over the boundary.(Reading 2) It's also justified because Mexico was not ruling the territory properly, so Americans decided that they would save the west. ' Custody of the ignorant cowards and profligate ruffians.(Reading 3) Finally it justifies how the United States is unstoppable it can take what it wants and expand.Have not results in Mexico taught the invincibility of American arms?...The North Americans will spread out far beyond their present bounds. They will encroach again and again upon their neighbors. New territories will be planted, declare their independence, and be annexed. We have New Mexico and California! We will have Old Mexico and Cuba!(Reading 4)

Anonymous said...

P2 Betsy G. & Aurora G.

The expansion of the United States is justified because Mexicans aren't ruling Mexico properly.According to Americans, "cowards" and "profligate ruffians" were ruling mexico. Mexico was also described as "imbecile and distracted." Mexico was going to be ruled by someone else so the U.S. took advantage and took over.

Anonymous said...

P2 breanna e luis g

It was justified because it was ok for the untied states taking land from Mexico and native Americans it was the manifest destiny,mexico has passed the boundary of the united states ,has invaded our territory and shed american blood upon american soil.(reading 2)Mexico was imbeilce and distracted.It was disintegrated from Mexico in the natural course of events, by a process perfectly legitimate on its own part, blameless on ours....
California will, probably next fall away from...Mexico...imbecile and distracted...[reading 1]they justified the western expansion of the united states because they wanted to leave the u.s. in charge of ignorant,cowards,and criminals.Now we ask, whether any man can coolly contemplate the idea of recalling our troops from the [Mexican] territory we at present occupy...and...resign this beautiful country to the custody of the ignorant cowards and profligate ruffians who have ruled it for the last twenty-five years? (reading 3)Mexico taught the invincibilty of american arms. the justification for the westward expansion the united states is that they will declare their independence,and be annexed.(reading 4)

Anonymous said...

P2. Maria R. & David R.

According to the United States, they had many reasons to continue the westward expansion and take away land from Mexico and Native Americans. One of there justifications was that mexico was not being well governed, distracted and being imbeciles so America should take advantage of that and take away land from Mexico. To support this is a quote from reading 1 saying "California will, probably next fall away from..Mexico..imbecile and distracted..". Another reason was that since Mexico invaded U.S territory, the United States felt the need to go into war and invade Mexican territory, as well. The evidence to back this up was that, "Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil", from reading 2. The last and final reason was that since Mexico was not well governed, America thought that they should take it away and govern it in a better way. Not many people thought these justifications were reasonable, but America thought they were enough to take away land from Mexico and the Native Americans.

Anonymous said...

P2 Debbie L & Joseph M 

The westward expansion of the United States taking land was justified because americans saw it as their Destiny to help the land that they thought was not being taken care of correctly/ governed properly. One of the reasons why the westward expansion was justified by the people at the time was because they thought Mexico was dumb. "Mexico imbecile and distracted."(reading 1) Another reason was that Mexico crossed the boundaries and attacked the U.S. unfairly. " Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil" (reading 2). The last reason is that the United States will overpower everyone and take everyone's land. Americans had many reasons to take Mexico's land these are just four of them.

Anonymous said...

p.2 Alyssa R. & Briana R.
The westward expansion of the United States and the taking of land from Mexico and Native Americans was justified by people at the time because the United States took advantage of Mexico because is dumb and distracted, the United States has declared war because Mexico has invaded their territory, and Mexico shouldn't rule the country because they are ignorant, cowards, and think they are tough.An example from the text that shows how the westward expansion of the United States and the taking of land from Mexico and the Native Americans is, "Mexico.... imbecile and distracted," this means the United States is saying they took advantage of Mexico because they are dumb and distracted(Doc.1). Another example from the text is, "Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory," this means the United States has declared war because Mexico has invaded the United States territory(Doc.2). Another example from the text is," Mexican territory we at present occupy....and....resign this beautiful country to the custody of the ignorant cowards and profligate ruffians," this means Mexico shouldn't rule because they are ignorant, cowards, and think their tough(Doc.3). These are examples of how the westward expansion of the United States and the taking of land of Mexico and the Native Americans justified by people at the time.

Anonymous said...

P1 Hennessy O & Angel M

The westward expansion of the United States and taking of the land was justified by people at this time good because the United States was going to get bigger and the people could have more land for farming. Another reason for this is that people were traveling from the east to the west. Mexico was a big country, but they couldn't control the country correctly, the leadership of Mexico is ruled by cowards and thugs, ("ignorant cowards and profligate ruffians"). Lastly Mexico invaded U.S territory, so the U.S could invade Mexican territory. "Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States.

Anonymous said...

P.2 Saul C & Leslie B.

The justification of the United States to annex Texas was that Texas already broke apart from Mexico and ended up joining the United States union."It was disintegrated from Mexico in the natural course of events, by a process perfectly legitimate on its own part, blameless on ours." (reading 1)
Mexico attacked America first on their own land making it okay for America to declare war and take over Mexico's land."Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil." (reading 2)
America is winning the war with large amounts of land it wouldn't be smart to withdraw the troops and lose all the land."Now we ask, whether any man can coolly contemplate the idea of recalling our troops from the [Mexican] territory we at present occupy...and...resign this beautiful country to the custody of the ignorant cowards and profligate ruffians who have ruled it for the last twenty-five years?"(reading 3)
America is too strong and it will keep on expanding all over north American even south America."Have not results in Mexico taught the invincibility of American arms?...The North Americans will spread out far beyond their present bounds. They will encroach again and again upon their neighbors."(reading 4)

Anonymous said...

p2 Aylin H JOSUE H

The expantion of the United States was justified by the people because they thought that Mexico would of lost because it was to weak and it would of happen any reading1 EX;Mexico ...imbecile and distracted.

reading;2 The justification of the expanantion of the united state was that mexico started tresspassing in the U.S territory Ex:Mexico has past the boundary of the united states; has invaded our territory and shed american blood upon americans.

reading3the justification to take mexicos land was because mexico was not ruling its land right Ex: resighn this beautiful country to the custody of the ignorant cowards and profligate ruffians who have ruled...

Anonymous said...

P.2 Emmanuel O. Cynthia Q.

In the middle 1800's there has been a manifest destiny meaning that our United States had a destiny of expanding all the way to the Pacific Ocean. However the people in the 1800's had to face war and several debates to create an expanded United States. "As seen by the Americans, having to conquer the country of Texas was a natural course of events" (Doc. 1). Eventually someone was going to conquer Texas since they were pretty much imbecile's and distracted. In addition, "Mexico has messed with the United States by killing an american in american soil" (Doc 2). Since Mexico was taking U. S territory, they felt like they had the need to go to war and invade Mexican territory as well.

Anonymous said...

p4 Alexis and William Sanchez

Texas beat Mexico and is going to settle west and live there. Mexico wants to control the united states and start a war with them. They want the Mexicans out of there territory for there people. The mexicans and native americans have learned that the united states are better.

Anonymous said...

P4 AXEL.ORTEGA :Leslie nochez

1. mexico started taking away the land from the u.s. wanted back their land

2.mexico started from the U.S. and the U.S. wanted back their lands

3.The people that run mexico are bad and that u.s. should take over

Anonymous said...

p4 jaime.c Edwin.b 1.Mexico was starting to get distracted and starting being stupids. 2.Mexico started talking away the land from the U.S and the U.S wanted back their lands
3.the people that was controlling Mexico was bad people and the U.S should take away there lands from the bad people. 4.Mexico taught the invincibility of American arms.

Anonymous said...

p4 date:12.13.13
Fabian and Brandon
The U.S. thought the expansion was justified cause the U.S. thought they were better than the native americans and mexican to rule their lands.

Anonymous said...

p4 Maribel C. & ELVIS C.

1.MEXICO IS STUPID AND NOT PAYING ATTENTION
2. THAT ATTACKED AMERICA FIRST
3.THE PEOPLE WERE TUFF AND SCARED
4.AMERICA WAS INVINCIBLE AND THEY WOULD HAVE MORE LAND AND STATE.

Anonymous said...

per4 patricia and Marisela

READING1;it was justified the west ward expassion of the U.S. is the reason that the U.S responsibility west ward is because mexican were idiots

READING2; it was ok to take away land because Mexico passed the boundary and killed people in the U.S

Reading 3: the people that was controlling Mexico was bad people and the U.s should take away there lands from the bad people

Reading4: americans land will go long as possible they will do anything new land will come then come there independence and take all the land they need

Anonymous said...

p6 victor f.

The U.S., thinks its fair because they state that,"California will, probably next fall away from...Mexico...imbecile and Distracted."
therefore they use this quote to state that if mexico still has control over that land, California won't survive any longer.

Anonymous said...

Amayrana C. & Liliana B.

The westward expansion of the United States and the taking of land from Mexico and Native Americans justified by people at the time by
1. The U.S. said that they can't take Mexico's territory because they think Mexican's are imbecil's and distracted.
2. James Polk said that Mexican soliders had killed so now we are at war.
3. The U.S. said Americans could take care of the land as in Texas better than Mexicans.
4. Americans are invincible and they will spread their bounderies as much as they can.

Anonymous said...

Daniel P. & Diana R.
Reading 1: It justified the expansion because they said Mexico was dumb and distracted so it was easy to take away the land.
Reading 2: It justified the expansion because Mexico invaded America's land and killed their people.
Reading 3: It justified the expansion because their saying Mexicans are ignorant cowards that have ruled for the twenty-five years.
Reading 4: It justified the expansion because their saying that America would do go without people ruling it and letting it have new territories.

Anonymous said...

period 6 Karen M and Christopher S.

The expansion of the United States and the taking of land from Mexico and Native Americans justified by people at the time was because Polky thought that the United States was one of the most important country's in the world, so he thought that he could take away land from any other country. One example is, on (reading 1) the author says that the U.S says they cant take Mexicos territory because they think "Mexico are imbecile and distracted."


AND BECAUSE IM MEGAN



Anonymous said...

P.6 Orlando H. Christian H.
The way they solved it which is that USA won against Mexico."Texas has been absorbed into the Union as the inevitable fulfillment of the general law which is rolling our population westward....It was disintegrated from Mexico in the natural course of events, by a process perfectly legitimate on its own part, blameless on ours....California will, probably next fall away from...Mexico...imbecile and distracted." (From Reading 1) The Northern Americans moved away from the US because if not US was gonna attack which they did.

Anonymous said...

P6 Brandon C. & Alexa V.

The expansion of the United States going in the western direction and taking the land from mexico and native americans justified. It was justified by people at that time because the conquered all the territory while traveling west. Even by taking the mexican cession to be part of the United States and when they attack the US thought they had the right to attack back and take the territory.

Anonymous said...

P6. Jennifer Ramos The westward expansion of the United States justifies the people at the time, Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States.And Mexico has been resigned because the people that have been ruling been ignorant and the people are getting a new leader.And that people have the right to attack Mexico because they killed there people so Mexico is weak and it affects the people with their leader having no power or control so much.They are going to have more states and they already have New Mexico and California they still want old Mexico and Cuba, but they still going to have more and more states they wan to have.

Anonymous said...

period 6 Katherine L. and Yulisa M.
This justifies the Westward expansion of the Untied States because it shows the Mexico was embecile and weak. i got my answer this text California will, probably next fall away from...Mexico...imbecile and distracted."This justifies the Westward expansion of the United States because Mexico attacked the United States so this means that the United States has the right to attack Mexico back. I got my answer from this text "Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil." This justifies the Westward expansion of the Untied States because the Mexican troops resigned the country to the United States. I got my answer from this text "Now we ask, whether any man can coolly contemplate the idea of recalling our troops from the [Mexican] territory we at present occupy...and...resign this beautiful country to the custody of the ignorant cowards and profligate ruffians who have ruled it for the last twenty-five years?"

Anonymous said...

P6 Naancy M. & Javier S.
1.The justification for doc. 1 is saying that the government of Mexico is not very smart they are an imbecile.
2.The justification for doc.2 is the expansion because mexico had invaded the american land and killed their people.
3. The justification for doc.3 its saying that the rulers of mexico are not quite smart to handle such a beautiful land so might as well take it away from them.
4. The justification for doc.4

Anonymous said...

12-13-13 Angel Hermosillo Jonathan Guerrero
p.6 according to the readings ,the authors think that america could expand to westward because they can take better take care of Texas than the Mexican government [reading 3]. The next reason is that the US are better than Mexico and we are invincible against them[reading 4].Another reason was mexico has committed a crime on Texas so we take the right of our country[reading 2].The last reason is that they think that Mexico is dumb[Reading1]. this explains why it was okay to move to the westward.

Anonymous said...

viviana s . & brayan r .
period 6 .

people in the 1800's justified the taking of land from mexico native americans because they believed that it was their destiny to expand across the continent. The united states also justified the taking of land from mexico by saying that texas was absored into the united states by a course of natural events. polky thought the u.s was important one of the most important country in the world and thought he can take anyones terrritory for example on reading 1 the u.s. says " ...mexico...imbecile and distracted..."

M. Albert said...

Each of the readings on westward expansion all show a patronizing or superior attitude from the writers as they justify Manifest Destiny. The Democratic Review said that the loss of Texas and California were "inevitable," meaning that they were certain to happen, due the the leaders of Mexico were were "imbecile[s]" -- stupid people who deserved to lose their land (reading 1). The Evening Post seemed to agree, saying that the leaders of Mexico, "a beautiful country," were "cowards" and "ruffians" -- criminals (reading 3. Polk's message is more direct, saying that the reason for taking Mexico's land was that "American blood has been spilled on American soil" -- in other words, Mexico started the war, now they have to bear the consequences (reading 2). The Commercial Review went even farther, saying that Americans were "invincible" and should therefore take over all of North America including Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean islands such as Cuba. It seems that many of the people who wrote during this time period thought that they were doing the right thing, but when we look at it now, they were not thinking of the people that were impacted by those actions.

Anonymous said...

Per.6 Lissbeth F.
Nat Turner was a madman. I know that Turner was one because in (document A) he was described as a diabolical, fanatic, fiend, and he believed he was a prophet. Also in (document B) "he used all the arts familiar to such pretenders, to trick,confused and overwhelm the slave's minds." Basically in these two document it shows how Nat Turner was evil and crazy. This two source are trustworthy because it shows us evidence on how he was a madman. Source C wasn't trustworthy because it didn't have many corroboration as source A and B. Nat Turner couldn't be nice because of how Gray describe him, but then again Gray might be wrong, but he had more that Turner was a madman.