It was a war fueled by colonialism, launched with the intent of humiliating a weaker country, fought in the name of revenge and waged by a racist president.
So, on February 2nd – the anniversary of what Mexico calls the American Intervention – President Trump publicly commemorated the U.S. Victory in the Mexican-American War, which occurred from April 1846 to February 1848.
The war saw the United States conquer more than half of its southern neighbor. Trump declared it a testament to “the unmatched power of the American spirit” and guided by “divine providence.” He argued the job wasn’t done, stating, “I have spared no effort in defending our southern border against invasion, upholding the rule of law and protecting our homeland from forces of evil, violence, and destruction.”
Notably, no president since the Civil War has publicly bragged about the Mexican-American War in official proclamations.
Trump’s actions align with a pattern of weaponizing history to justify present actions, such as renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” and punishing news agencies that refused to comply with the new name.
The president reportedly views former President Polk, the architect of the Mexican-American War, as a “real estate guy.” Polk won the presidency in 1844 by promising to expand the United States by any means necessary, annexing Texas despite Mexican objections.
The Mexican-American War resulted in the U.S. Acquiring the modern-day American Southwest, land viewed by Polk and his allies as untapped and wasted on “mixed-race Mexicans.” The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the war, secured land rights and citizenship for Mexicans who remained, though many subsequently saw their property seized.
In contrast to Trump’s approach, President Truman, in 1947, acknowledged the “terrible quarrel” of the Mexican-American War during a visit to Mexico City and placed a wreath at a shrine honoring the Niños Héroes – teenage cadets who died defending Mexico.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Mexican-American War about?
The war, lasting from April 1846 to February 1848, was fought over the annexation of Texas and the U.S. Desire to expand its territory, ultimately resulting in the U.S. Conquering more than half of Mexico’s land.
Who opposed the Mexican-American War at the time?
Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Henry David Thoreau, William Lloyd Garrison, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Frederick Douglass were among those who publicly opposed the war.
How did President Truman approach the legacy of the Mexican-American War?
In 1947, Truman referred to the conflict as a “terrible quarrel” and showed respect for Mexican history by visiting a shrine honoring the Niños Héroes.
Given this historical context, how might President Trump’s recent actions reshape the relationship between the United States and Mexico?
