How did the American settlers view "Manifest Destiny?" How did the Mexicans view it?

        The term “Manifest Destiny” was not coined until 1945 when it was utilized as propaganda throughout America. Manifest Destiny became the means to develop trade with the Far East, alleviate fears of foreign intervention from countries occupying lands in the West, and perpetuate the belief in the American Dream. Americans came to believe so strongly in Manifest Destiny that they found no remorse or guilt in stealing Indian and Mexican land and essentially destroying tribal organizations. Instead, advocates of westward expansion believed God ordained this seizure and, therefore, felt as though they were doing justice.

        Mexico became a victim of Manifest Destiny in the 1940’s. American settlers moved into the Mexican territory, known today as Texas. These settlers anticipated the acquisition of Texas and planned to sell the land at high prices. While occupying the region these settlers caused many problems including the coercion of Mexicans farmers into forfeiting their land. President Tyler, in hopes of winning re-election, annexed Texas on the last day of his term without negotiating a treaty with Mexico. Mexicans viewed this act as blatant robbery and an act of injustice. Polk won the presidency with promises of acquiring both the California and Oregon territories. In the mean time he deployed troops to Texas in order to secure their newly gained land. Border disputes in Texas galvanized further animosity between the two countries. While the U.S. claimed the border of Texas was the Rio Grande Mexico claimed it was the Nueces River. The Mexico-American War began on April 24, 1846 when Mexican soldiers crossed the Nueces River. Mexican soldiers killed, wounded, or captured sixty-three American soldiers and Polk immediately declared war.

        Mexicans initially welcomed the trickle of American settlers into the Texas territory. However, as the trickle turned into a flood Mexicans found themselves losing not only their land but also their privacy and liberties. Americans’ claim to the right to this land engendered resentment in their Mexican hosts. Mexicans found themselves in danger of losing their land to the same guests they had previously welcomed into their homeland. Naturally, Mexicans became defensive in their actions with these arrogant foreigners and sought to reclaim what had been stolen from them. After the annexation of Texas Mexican concern turned to survival. As they witnessed the destructive path of the United States they could not help but fear their fate would parallel that of Native Americans. While Mexico did survive, its political relations with the United States remained strongly defensive for years to come.