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

President James K. Polk provoked the Texas border conflict because he wanted to obtain California. Polk wanted California because of the San Francisco harbor, which would open up trade to the Pacific. They had to hurry to buy or seize it because Britain was going wanted to buy California as well. The conflict over California made Polk initiate the Texas boundary conflict which started the Mexican War. President Polk wanted a nonviolent conflict to get California, but when he sent General Zachary Taylor to close to the disputed Mexican border, violence erupted. 16 soldiers were killed in the fight. This is the first battle of the Mexican War. This war lasted for almost a year, being a relatively small war, until the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed on February 2, 1848. The Mexican Cession that was obtained was about one-half of the size of Mexico. In winning the war, Polk succeeded in his goal of getting California.  The war was started by Polk's ambitions to get California for the good of the country. The Mexican War was not fully intended by Polk but he achieved his goal nevertheless.