"James K. Polk and the U.S. Mexican War: A Policy Appraisal" Topic

"Some people believe that President James K. Polk intentionally provoked the war with Mexico. What do you say about that?

What Polk wanted was to push Mexico into negotiating with the United States, and he was willing to create a threat of war to do this. If he had to fight, he wanted a short war and a quick victory. He never expected a long-drawn-out war. The Army was not ready for war and had never fought so far from home before. The country was divided. So Polk was taking a considerable risk in his bold stand toward Mexico.

Negotiations might have been possible if Polk had tried a different approach. Mexico had refused to recognize either the independence of Texas or its annexation by the United States, and when annexation occurred, broke relations and withdrew its minster from Washington. Polk rightly believed that he had to restore diplomatic relations, so he sent a special temporary envoy to Mexico. The Mexicans expected that envoy, John Slidell, would offer an indemnity to settle the Texas question, after which Mexico would receive him or someone else as permanent minister. Instead Polk made Slidell permanent minister and instructed him to open negotiations for the sale of California, ignoring Texas completely…."
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Amicalement
Armand

The only thing I know about Polk is that Al Bundy went to his high school.

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

'They Might Be Giants' has a song about Polk, called… 'James K. Polk'. As with all the Johns' vast back catalogue of hundreds of songs, it's available free on You Tube – courtesy of TMBG themselves.

If you do check it out, be careful; you could all-too-easily find yourself listening to hours of addictive, eccentric 'nerd rock'.

Thanks!.

Amicalement
Armand