did+polk+provoke?

The Mexican war undoubtedly reaped many benefits to the United States. We gained the land from California to the Rockies. The reason why Polk provoked war, however, is still up in the air. It can be said that he provoked war, to expand slavery, however, there is much more evidence that leads us to believe that his intents where to expand the United States because of his strong belief in Manifest Destiny.

James Knox Polk along with other believers in Manifest Destiny had long coveted the land in the verdant valleys. They especially desired the spacious bays by of San Francisco which where the gateways to the ocean and subsequently Asia. Polk was enthusiastic about purchasing California from Mexico, however, the Mexican Government was already angry with the United States for people clamming that Mexico owed them a cumulative 3 million in damages. With this kind of strain on an already fragile relationship, Mexico would simply not budge and refused to sell any land to the United States. Mexico was not only wiling to make compromise with the united states, they where also unwilling to even make an augment. Slidell was sent down to negotiate with Mexico, but was rudely refused by the Mexican Government to even be seen.

 Polk and his comrades where obviously wanting to expand the united states because of his strong belief in Manifest Destiny. This is evident in that he made several attempts to avoid war.