What+caused+the+Mexican+War?+Did+Polk+provoke+the+Texas-boundary+conflict+in+order+to+gain+California,+or+expand+slavery?+KH

At this time in American history, Manifest Destiny was a common thought in many citizens' minds. Manifest Destiny was the idea of making any land that American citizens inhabited part of the country of America. California and the disputed territory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande were two areas of land that would be valuable for America to claim. James K. Polk was the president that had the task of claiming these lands. Americans inhabited both of these places and it was in the country's best interest to annex these places. Mexico was the only thing standing in the way. Polk had to do something in order to make this happen. The reason for the Texas-boundary conflict could either be to gain California or to expand slavery. Although California was a benefitial asset to the country, Polk provoked this conflict in order to expand slavery.

James K. Polk was born and raised in the state of Tennessee. A previous president, Andrew Jackson, was from this same area. Tennessee is in the south and is a slave state. Part of the Missouri Compromise of 1820 was inacting the 36 30' line. This line signified that all states below the 36 30' was open to slavery and could be admitted as a slave state. Texas was below this line and, therefore, could be admitted as a slave state. The line ran right through California. Polk was a Democrat, much of the south was, and was for state's rights and slavery. If Texas became a state, it could and probably would become a slave state. By provoking the Mexican War, he was ensuring a victory over Mexico because he was willing to do whatever it took in order to gain the land that he wanted. The only thing was he wanted them to fire because then he could use that as a reason to fire back and start the war that he wanted.

Polk was a Democrat, came from the south, and was for slavery. Gaining this land and extending the border was the same as gaining cotton land and extending slavery boundries. Polk also saw this chance as an opportunity to carry out Manifest Destiny as well. Adding this land, not only to the country, but to the south, was an opportunity to expand slavery and keep the free/slave count in balance. California was a good addition to the country but, at this time, gaining the diputed territory of Texas was an addition to the slavery "empire."