Essay Sample about James K. Polk's Presidency

In 1844, James K. Polk was elected president and was a man who was hungry for expanding U.S. territory. In 1845, President Polk sent American soldiers to Texas and sent a special envoy to Mexico City to purchase California, which was denied. American troops were sent to the Rio Grande to see if Mexico was invading U.S. territory. In 1846, Mexican Mexican troops attacked American troops near the Rio Grande which led to President Polk declaring war. The United States was fairly reasonable about going to war with Mexico because the United States’ manifest destiny was to expand, Mexico invaded U.S. territory, and Mexico attacked U.S. soldiers. 

To begin, the United States’ manifest destiny was to expand their country, and Mexico tried to stop this manifest destiny of the United States, giving the United States a justified reason to go to war with Mexico. According to Doc A, “John O’Sullivan and Manifest Destiny,” says, “[Other] nations have undertaken… hostile interference against us, … hampering our power, limiting our greatness and checking the fulfillment of our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence [God] for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions.” This means that God wanted the United States to expand their country. God wanted the United States to expand west. However, Mexico was interfering with the United States’ manifest destiny. In conclusion, the United States was justified in going to war with Mexico because Mexico was interfering with the United States' manifest destiny.

Additionally, Mexico invading U.S. territory was another justified reason to declare war on Mexico. Based on the information, from Doc B, the “War Message of President James Polk”, states, “Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil.” U.S. troops were sent to check if Mexico had passed the boundary, and Mexico did, American troops were essentially attacked by Mexican soldiers. Mexico crossed the United States’ boundaries and then deliberately attacked U.S. soldiers. Given another justified reason for the United States to declare war on Mexico. In conclusion, Mexico invaded the United States territory and attacked U.S. soldiers.

Finally, Mexico attacked U.S. soldiers. From Doc B, the “War Message of President James Polk,” says, “[They] became engaged with a large body of these [Mexican] troops, and, after a short affair, in which some sixteen [American] troops were killed and wounded, appear to have been surrounded and compelled to surrender.” Mexican soldiers attacked U.S. soldiers. This gave the United States another justified reason to declare war on Mexico. While it might be true that the Mexican soldiers were protecting the border, they did what they were ordered to do. Jesus Velasco-Marquez states, “In the eyes of the [Mexican] government, the mobilization of the U.S. army was an outright attack on Mexico… As a consequence, the Mexican government reaffirmed the instruction to protect the border.” However, they still attacked U.S. soldiers. Since they attacked U.S. soldiers, the U.S. declared war. It may appear that Mexican soldiers were protecting the border, but the fact remains that Mexico attacked the United States. Nevertheless, the United States was justified because Mexico attempted to threaten the United States into war. Mexico attacked U.S. soldiers. As a result, the United States declared war. 

In conclusion, the United States was justified in declaring war on Mexico. In 1846, the United States declared war on Mexico because Mexico was interfering with the United States’ manifest destiny, Mexico invaded U.S. territory, and Mexico attacked U.S. soldiers. This argument is extremely important because it helps prevent future mistakes like this from happening again.