Analysis: Mexican Denunciations of the United States
The topic of "Analysis: Mexican Denunciations of the United States" relates to the historical tensions between Mexico and the United States during the mid-19th century, particularly surrounding the annexation of Texas and the ensuing Mexican-American War (1846-1848). In the context of early 1845, Mexican leaders firmly opposed the United States' plans for Texas, viewing it as a violation of their sovereignty and territorial integrity. Prominent figures like José Joaquín de Herrera and Francisco Mejía expressed nationalistic sentiments, rallying the Mexican populace against what they perceived as American encroachment.
As relations deteriorated, both nations prepared for conflict, with Mexico issuing warnings against U.S. actions and encouraging military enlistment. Mexican leaders articulated their grievances, framing the situation as a struggle against American ambitions, and sought to bolster their military efforts. The U.S. perspective, influenced by the doctrine of Manifest Destiny, was characterized by a belief in its right to expand westward, leading to a complex interplay of national pride, territorial claims, and military readiness on both sides.
The conflict culminated in a war that reshaped the territorial boundaries of North America and had lasting implications for U.S.-Mexico relations. Understanding this historical context is essential to grasp the deeper roots of contemporary discussions surrounding national identity, sovereignty, and cross-border dynamics.
Analysis: Mexican Denunciations of the United States
Dates: June 4, 1845; March 18, 1846; and April 20, 1846
Authors: Jose Joaquin de Herrera; Francisco Mejia; Mariano Arista
Genre: legislation; speech
Summary Overview
As of early 1845, while Mexico had not formally acknowledged that Texas was independent, President John Tyler had begun the formal process to annex it. With the inauguration of James K. Polk as US president in March 1845—a politician who had run on a platform of westward expansion—Mexico faced the prospect of the loss of not only Texas but the rest of its northern territory. Thus, in 1845, Jose Joaquin de Herrera responded to the prospect that Texas would soon be part of the United States. As he states in the document included here, this was unacceptable to him (and to the other Mexican leaders). Even when it was part of Mexico, the exact western border of Texas had been an issue, so that with its annexation by the United States, the issue was now between the Americans and the Mexicans. It became apparent that this conflict would not be resolved peacefully, as both countries were recruiting soldiers and sending them to the disputed territory. The material by Mejia included here was a part of the Mexican call-to-arms for the conflict, which officially began on April 25, 1846. Arista's communiqué approaches the problem from the opposite side, appealing to the American soldiers to desert and, in return, to accept land grants from the Mexican government.
Defining Moment
With the close of the Mexican war for independence in 1821, the new nation inherited uncertain relations with its neighbor to the north. Although initially the United States had no plans for the annexation of any Mexican territory, sentiments changed over the succeeding twenty-five years. As early as 1822, American settlers were being invited into what is now Texas. In California, most Americans were hunters and trappers—until John Sutter was given a large land grant in the Central Valley, where he welcomed other emigrants from the United States. The growing populations of Americans in both areas resulted in pressure for independence from the weak Mexican government. Texas fought for and won its independence. The beginning of the process for Texas's annexation as a state, under the United States, brought the issue of Mexican sovereignty north of the Rio Grande to a head. Few doubted that war could be avoided. The Mexican congress passed a resolution warning the United States to stop the process of annexing Texas, which is the first of these historical documents. When that failed to occur, steps were taken on both sides to prepare for the oncoming war. The United States sent half of its small fleet to the Pacific to take control of California when the war started. Contingents from the army were sent to Texas, to establish a base in the disputed territory of west Texas. During that time, the speeches, represented by the second and third historical documents, were given to build support for the Mexican cause, to gain volunteers for the armed forces, and to try to weaken the American forces. They also served as a final warning to the United States that any further actions would result in war.
The documents reprinted here are representative of the nationalistic pride of the Mexican leaders and their unwillingness to ignore American encroachment into what they considered their own territory. While these views were heard by leaders in the United States, the Americans were just as firm in their belief that the United States should stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific. They also held the belief that the United States would prevail in any conflict, so there was no need to compromise. Although several proposals were put forward by different parties which would have resulted in payment by the United States for the territory from west Texas to the Pacific, a variety of things (including the instability of the Mexican government) prevented these from being accepted. Thus, the Mexican leaders could only call upon their citizens to make preparations for what seemed to be an inevitable conflict.
Author Biography
Mariano Arista (1802–1855) was an officer in the Spanish Army who defected to the side of those seeking an independent Mexico. He remained in the military and fought against the Texans, who were seeking independence. He was the commander of the forces that attacked the American Army in west Texas, starting the Mexican-American War (1846–48). After the war, he was elected president of Mexico in 1851, serving until 1853.
José Joaquin de Herrera (1792–1854) was a career military officer, originally fighting on the side of Spain during the war for Mexican independence. However, he retired before the war ended and eventually joined those rebelling. After independence, he opposed several authoritarian leaders. He was elected president in 1845, but then deposed in 1846 by the army he had created. After the war was elected again, in 1848, serving until 1851.
Francisco Mejia (died 1852) was twice governor of the state of Coahuila in the early 1840s and a general in the Mexican Army. When he made the proclamation at Matamoros, he was the general in charge of the Army of the North, with his forces then on the south bank of the Rio Grande. Many believed this speech to his troops was a declaration of war against the United States.
Document Analysis
These three documents represent the progression of the crisis between Mexico and the United States. Up until the last minute, President Herrera believed a negotiated settlement might be possible, and so he tries to approach the subject in a legalistic manner. General Mejia spoke only five weeks before the formal conflict commenced and, as such, was attempting to rally the forces of northern Mexico as well as to speak about the legitimacy of the Mexican position. Less than a week before the first skirmish between Mexican and American forces, General Arista tried to undercut the morale of the American soldiers and offered them incentives to desert. As should be expected of a nation's leaders, all three were trying to rally their country and weaken their rival.
Herrera and the Mexican congress issued the resolution in 1845, when there might have been a chance to stop the impending hostilities. Although the American president, James Polk, had been elected on the platform of America's Manifest Destiny, he was willing to purchase the land. However, Mexico demanded that their view of Texas as essentially Mexican first be recognized. Although the Mexican government was strongly opposed to the annexation of Texas, what riled them even more was that the United States did not recognize the “boundaries fixed with precision” for Texas. As a result of the Americans not recognizing Mexico's claim on Texas or its borders, Herrera called for a new army reserve to be created to be prepared to protect Mexico's interest. Stopping just short of declaring war, Herrera hoped to create a stronger incentive for negotiations by stating his position and by having a stronger army with which to defend Mexico's interests.
Having been recently appointed commander of the Army of the North, Mejia gathered his troops together to give them what was essentially a pep talk. He outlines the ways in which the United States had violated Mexican trust and international laws. Starting with the annexation of Texas, he depicts it as a “violation of the rights of nations,” having obtained control of the territory by “treachery.” In addition, the western border of Texas was, for Mexico, the Nueces River, while for the United States, it was the Rio Grande. Referring back to landmark victories in Mexico's struggle for independence, Mejia goes on to call for a forceful defense of all territory claimed by Mexico, including Texas.
Arista was in command of the forces in Matamoros when the American general, Zachery Taylor, built a small fort just across the Rio Grande. With many immigrants having joined the American Army, Arista hoped to have them desert and join the Mexican side. He depicts the American enlisted man as being “forced” to serve the “unholy and blind ambition” of the American leaders. He offers them free land and a warm welcome, if they crossed the river. He seems to especially try to have those from Catholic countries join the Mexicans, as this was what he meant by “Christians.” Some American soldiers did accept his offer, crossing the river to Matamoros. This caused Taylor to order sentries to shoot anyone in the river, which they did. This stopped the flow of deserters and ended any effect this proclamation had.
Bibliography and Additional Reading
Brooks, N.C. A Complete History of the Mexican War. Philadelphia: Grigg, Elliot & Co., 1849. Internet Archive, 2009. Web. 17 Oct. 2014.
Henderson, Timothy J. A Glorious Defeat: Mexico and Its War with the United States. New York: Hill and Wang, 2008. Print.
“Prelude to War.” The U.S.-Mexican War (1846–1848). PBS/KERA, 1995–2006. Web. 17 Oct. 20014.
Vazquel, Josefina Zoraida. “War and Peace with the United States.” The Oxford History of Mexico. Eds. Michael C. Meyer & William H. Beezley. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2000. Print.