Manifest Ambition

This is not another chronological retelling of the Mexican War. Instead it examines civil-military clashes during the war in light of Jacksonian politics and the American citizen-soldier tradition looking at events that shed light on civilian authority over the military as well as the far reaching impact of political ambition during this period (specifically presidential power and the quest for the presidency). By 1848 Americans had come to realize that in their burgeoning democracy generals and politicians could scarcely resist the temptation to use war for partisan gain. It was a lesson well learned and one that still resonates today.The Mexican War is known for the invaluable experience it provided to future Civil War officers and as an example of America''s drive to fulfill her Manifest Destiny. Yet it was more than a training ground more than a display of imperialism. Significantly the Mexican War tested civilian control of the military and challenged traditional assumptions about the role of the army in American society. In so doing it revealed the degree to which by 1846 the harsh partisanships of the Jacksonian Era had impacted the American approach to war. This is not another chronological retelling of the Mexican War. Instead it examines civil-military clashes during the war in light of Jacksonian politics and the American citizen-soldier tradition looking both at events that shed light on civilian authority over the military and at the far reaching impact of political ambition during this period (specifically presidential power and the quest for the presidency) addition to politics a host of others factors marred civil-military relations during the war threatening U.S. victory. These included atrocities committed by Americans against Mexicans disobedient officers and inefficient U.S. military governors. In the end as Manifest Ambition shows Polk''s ability to overcome his partisan leanings his micro-management of the war effort and his overall strategic vision helped avoid both a prolonged occupation and the annexation of All Mexico. By 1848 Americans had come to realize that in their burgeoning democracy generals and politicians could scarcely resist the temptation to use war for partisan gain. It was a lesson well learned and one that still resonates today.