<P> Generally, the officers of the army were indifferent whether the annexation was consummated or not; but not so all of them . For myself, I was bitterly opposed to the measure, and to this day regard the war, which resulted, as one of the most unjust ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation . It was an instance of a republic following the bad example of European monarchies, in not considering justice in their desire to acquire additional territory . </P> <P> Grant also expressed the view that the war against Mexico had brought punishment on the United States in the form of the American Civil War: </P> <P> The Southern rebellion was largely the outgrowth of the Mexican war . Nations, like individuals, are punished for their transgressions . We got our punishment in the most sanguinary and expensive war of modern times . </P> <P> This view was shared by the philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, who towards the end of the war wrote that "The United States will conquer Mexico, but it will be as the man swallows the arsenic, which brings him down in turn . Mexico will poison us ." </P>

The us gained control of texas after armed conflict with the forces of