USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -He sent an American diplomat, John Slidell, to Mexico City to offer $30 million for it. But the Mexican government refused to even meet with Slidell. Polk grew frustrated. Determined to acquire the land, he sent American troops to Texas in January of 1846 to provoke the Mexicans into war.

Detailed explanation-2: -To bring pressure, Polk sent Gen. Zachary Taylor to the disputed area on the Rio Grande. To Mexican troops this was aggression, and they attacked Taylor’s forces. Congress declared war and, despite much Northern opposition, supported the military operations.

Detailed explanation-3: -The peace talks were negotiated by Nicholas Trist, chief clerk of the State Department, who had accompanied General Winfield Scott as a diplomat and President Polk’s representative.

Detailed explanation-4: -On May 12, 1846, the United States Senate voted 40 to 2 to go to war with Mexico. President James K. Polk had accused Mexican troops of having attacked Americans on U.S. soil, north of the Rio Grande.

Detailed explanation-5: -Soon, a U.S. patrol was attacked by Mexican troops, and Polk wasted no time in asking Congress for a declaration of war in 1846. Despite opposition to a conflict, Congress approved a declaration of war in May of 1846 following Polk’s statements that the Mexicans had attacked and killed U.S. soldiers.