President James K. Polk Beats the War Drums (March 4, 1845)
President Polk made adding California as a state a priority when he was POTUS. At the time before the war, California part of Mexico. That is why the Mexicans had a problem with it. Also to pour gas onto the fire, Polk made light of Manifest Destiny. Manifest Destiny was a 19th century belief that American expansion was justifiable and the right thing to do. To add on to that belief, Polk just happened to mention that the U.S. has now grown from 13 to 28 states in 55 years. Additionally,"Mr. President" wanted to send a diplomat to purchase California, but the Mexicans were not on the same page for the purchase. This caused Polk and other "War Hawks" to call for war with Mexico.
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