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

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

President James K. Polk was a president who set goals and then strived to accomplish his goals. Polk was a divious man who bent and twisted the truth to achieve his dreams. In the aspect of the Mexico War, Polk told the public what they wanted to hear. He made it seam like war was the only option. The Whigs of the North even called him, "Polk the Mendacious". So by provoking war with Mexico throught the Texas boundry conflict, he was trying to gain California for the United States of America.

By moving to the Rio Grande, Polk provoked war with Mexico. Before the war, he offered Mexico payment for California. He planned to pay Mexico twenty five million dollars for the territory of California. The proud Mexican people would not allow the American ambassidor, Slidell, to present the offer. This was a blow to Polk's mighty ego. He had now been hit with a rejection from his prize of California. The Mexican government infuriated Polk to the point where he knowingly provoked war for California. Provoking California was only part of Polk's master plan in gaining California.

As soon a Fremont had overthrown the Mexican army in California, Polk was ready to cease fire. He was ready to pull back his forces as soon as California was Americas. In his scheming he even included the former dictator of Mexico. Santa Anna told Polk that he would be favorable the the U.S. if he was put back into Mexico. This ment that Santa Anna would help Polk get California. Of course Polk believed the ruthless dictator and of course Santa Anna betrayed him. Polk was pushed to extremes and would grab any life line to save his precious California territory.

James K. Polk was a man of many desires. He strived to gain California for America and he would do anything to achieve his goal. He provoked war, believed bargans from Santa Anna, and he was furious when his offer to buy California was rejected. He went to far to get his goal, California, but striving to achieve this goal, he opened up more land and wealth to the American people. He might have been insane or crazy, but he did do good by America, for America.