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

The Mexican War was provoked by President Polk in his effort to either gain California or expand slavery. President Polk created a 4-point plan, he attempted to lower the tariff, restore the independent treasury, clear up the Oregon border issue, and get California. The biggest goal was to gain California, this would expand the United States. Polk and other democrats strongly believed in Manifest Destiny, this stated that the U.S. was destined to expand across the continent and get as much land as possible. California was important to the U.S. because it would create an easier trade route with China and other foreign countries. This would allow the United states to create a port in San Francisco to make trade easier. There were also many Americans living in California because of the 1849 gold rush. On January 3, 1846 President Polk ordered 4,000 men under the command of Zachary Taylor to march from the Nueces River to the Rio Grand, provocatively near the Mexican troops. Following these events, on April 25, 1846, news of Mexican troops crossing the Rio Grande and killing or wounding 16 American troops. The idea of Mexican killing American troops on American soil was a catalyst of the war. This pushed Polk to declare war on Mexico. The Mexican War was provoked by President Polk in his effort to either gain California or expand slavery.