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

The Mexican War was caused by the boundary conflict between Texas and Mexico. The Mexicans thought the boundary was at the Nueces River, while the Americans claimed it was the Rio Grande River. This different understanding of the boundary was the reason why Polk provoked the conflict in order to gain California. Polk provoked the Texas conflict so he could gain California and the land between America and 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 became part of America. During this he included the former dictator of Mexico, Santa Anna. He told Polk that he would help out and favor the United States if he was put back into Mexico. This meant that Santa Anna would help Polk get California. Polk believed him and Santa Anna betrayed him. Polk was pushed to extremes and tried anything to save the California territory.

It was well-known that Polk wanted California as a state of the U.S. He wanted the vegetative valleys and the San Francisco Bay. Polk saw the San Francisco Bay as America's future gateway to the Pacific Ocean. He even tried to buy California before the war started. Since his offer for the land was turned down, he resorted to other methods; namely, unnecessary war.