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The Palo Alto Battlefield

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War has always been a companion of humanity. History has shown us different reasons for war like political, social or economic reasons. Palo Alto battlefield witnessed of the first Mexican-American war fighting to expand territories. Even if the history of this battle is faded, because we pay more attention to other national or international war, this is part of both American and Mexican history. Furthermore, Palo Alto battlefield is considered the only park in the United States National Parks system that is focus on the U.S-Mexican War. As a Mexican living in the United States, I thought it was interesting to look for a park that was related to my country; physical, social and economic relations between these countries are part of who we are. The perspective of how we see a battle or war is very subjective. There are always two sides of the story and which side we agree with varies upon on what we were thought. The Palo Alto battlefield is should be remembered and considered always by both countries as part of our history. The purpose of the park is to recognize the significance of the battle and the American-Mexican war. Palo Alto National Historical Park (National Park Service, 2012) is located in the city of Brownsville in the State of Texas. Brownsville is accessible via plane or car. The park is approximately five miles north of downtown Brownsville and the battlefield is about ten miles north of the Rio Grande River in Cameron County. Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Site is one of the newest parks in the United States. In 1979 the National Park Service authorized archeological surveys of the battlefield (Haecker, 1994) that, added to documentary research found that the park kept the same characteristics as in 1846. Congress authorized the research in 1978: In order to preserve and commemorate for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generation an area of unique historical significance as one of only two important battles of the Mexican War fought in American soil (Palo Alto Battlefield, 1978). This authorization also required more research about the land and it was until 1992 that the Palo Alto battlefield was established within 3,400-acre site. Since then, the park goals, added to the historical importance to the battle are to maintain and preserve subjects such as water quality, preservation of flora, fauna and control of the continuous establishment of new communities surrounding the area that have become a threat to the preservation of the park. In a region known as Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico is where the two battles of the war of the United States against Mexico (Palo Alto and Resaca de Guerrero) took place. Palo Alto, is located north the Rio Grande, and can be considered a perfect scene for a battle with low lying fields, western desert, the coast of Mexican Gulf and the river Rio Grande. Upon assuming the presidency of the United States in March 1845, President James Polk had expansionist pla

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