Volume III Epilogue

War Justifications

The Mexican-American War was driven by complex causes and justifications, deeply rooted in imperial ambitions and moral conflicts. Josh Beatty highlights how the U.S. Army's march from Veracruz to Mexico City mirrored Hernán Cortés' journey, revealing a pattern of imperial expansion 1. Greg Jackson reflects on the moral ambiguity of the war, quoting Ulysses S. Grant's admission that it was not a moral conflict 2. This sentiment is echoed by Cielle Salazar, who notes the inconsistency of American values during this period 3.

   

Historical Parallels

The parallels between the Mexican-American War and earlier historical events, such as Cortés' conquest, are striking. Josh Beatty explains how Cortés relied on indigenous alliances to advance, a tactic mirrored by the U.S. forces 4. The Aztec empire's internal dynamics, as described by Greg Jackson, show how power struggles were exploited by external forces 5. Cielle Salazar observes that the further one moved from Mexico City, the more tenuous the control, a situation the Americans capitalized on during their campaign 6.

   

Power Struggles

Power struggles within Mexico were a significant factor in the Mexican-American War, as internal divisions were exploited by the U.S. Josh Beatty notes the lack of a unified government in Mexico, with constant power shifts and distrust among leaders 7. This instability allowed the U.S. to take advantage of regional weaknesses. Greg Jackson describes the cycle of violence and broken agreements with indigenous peoples, highlighting the complex dynamics of power and resistance 8.