Throughout its history, the United States has had an uneasy relationship with Mexico. In the nineteenth century, the war with Mexico and the annexation of Texas greatly impacted American politics. When the United States invaded Mexico in 1846, there were loud voices, including Abraham Lincoln, in opposition to the war. Many questioned the motives behind the invasion. One of the loudest voices was Frederick Douglass who linked the war to the expansion of slavery. In a letter published in the National Anti-Slavery Standard, Douglass wrote,
The real character of our Government is being exposed…the present administration is justly regarded as a combination of land-pirates and free-booters. Our gallant army in Mexico is looked upon as a band of legalized murderers and plunderers. Our psalm-singing, praying, pro-slavery priesthood are stampled with hypocracy; and all their pretensions to a love for God, while they hate and neglect their fellow-man, is branded as impudent blasphemy.
Why did we invade Mexico?