Why did U.S. intevene in Mexico in 1914?

Answer 1

A faulty intelligence report stating that a German shipment of arms was bound for Veracruz resulted in the United States occupation of Veracruz, when 2,300 American marines assaulted and took the aforementioned port city on April 21, 1914, occupying it for six months.

Immediate results include 22 American marines killed and 70 wounded, and up to 172 Mexican casualties, with 250 wounded including Mexican infantry, sailors and some militia formed from the city populace. Both Victoriano Huerta and Venustiano Carranza (opposing rivals during the Mexican Revolution) officially objected to the occupation, but neither was able to oppose it effectively, as both were fighting against each other. The occupation brought the two countries to the brink of war, and damaged the US-Mexican relations for many years.

Answer 2

The Mexican-American War (1846-1848) was never motivated to take over all of Mexico: only those portions of land that furthered the interests of slave owners and Manifest Destiny believers alike. However, the main reason for the war was California and its riches:

US President John Tyler had learned of California and its riches. In a letter to Tyler, American Plenipotentiary Minister in Mexico, Waddy Thompson, Jr. wrote:

"As to Texas I regard it as of very little value compared with California, the richest, the most beautiful and the healthiest country in the world... with the acquisition of Upper California we should have the same ascendancy on the Pacific... France and England both have had their eyes upon it."

Tyler believed in Manifest Destiny, a term which meant the annexation of all North America into the United States. He didn't believe in Texas but coveted the other territories west of Louisiana, California being the "Crown Jewel." He eventually pushed for annexation of Texas, offering it admission to the Union on March 1, 1845. His successor, President James K. Polk, ratified the admission on December 29 of that year. These moves had much potential to lead to war with Mexico and ultimately did so.

Answer 3

Their involvement in Mexico was to steal all of the tacos and the rice, those greedy bastards.

Answer 4

To protect economic interests, like factories and refineries established by American companies in Mexican soil.