When the United States annexed Texas, they believed the Texan boundary was along the Rio Grande River, whereas Mexico insisted that the Nueces River was the boundary. Polk, being one of the many Americans who believed the border was the Rio Grande, told Congress in the “Special Message to Congress on Mexican Relations” that, “... Mexico has passed the boundary of the Unites States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have commenced, and that the two nations are now at war” (4). Notably in that statement, Polk claimed the soil to be “American” when America’s possession of the land between the two rivers was unofficial during that time. In addition, Mexicans attacked the American soldiers because Polk had ordered General Zachary Taylor to dispatch troops into the area and set up a fort. I believe that it was understandable for the Mexicans to attack the troops, since they had built a military fort on land that was believed to belong to Mexico. The attack that was executed by the Mexicans was an act of war, but in a way, building a military fort and sending out troops in between the Rio Grande and Nueces was also an act of war towards Mexico. Thus, Polk’s call for war was unnecessary, because of his seemingly hostile decision to place a fort on property that another country still believed was
When the United States annexed Texas, they believed the Texan boundary was along the Rio Grande River, whereas Mexico insisted that the Nueces River was the boundary. Polk, being one of the many Americans who believed the border was the Rio Grande, told Congress in the “Special Message to Congress on Mexican Relations” that, “... Mexico has passed the boundary of the Unites States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have commenced, and that the two nations are now at war” (4). Notably in that statement, Polk claimed the soil to be “American” when America’s possession of the land between the two rivers was unofficial during that time. In addition, Mexicans attacked the American soldiers because Polk had ordered General Zachary Taylor to dispatch troops into the area and set up a fort. I believe that it was understandable for the Mexicans to attack the troops, since they had built a military fort on land that was believed to belong to Mexico. The attack that was executed by the Mexicans was an act of war, but in a way, building a military fort and sending out troops in between the Rio Grande and Nueces was also an act of war towards Mexico. Thus, Polk’s call for war was unnecessary, because of his seemingly hostile decision to place a fort on property that another country still believed was