President James Polk was prepared to declare war against Mexico even before news of hostilities arrived in Washington.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

President Polk had already planned to annex Texas and California and believed that war with Mexico was necessary to achieve those goals. He sent troops to the Rio Grande, which he knew would provoke a response from Mexico, and used that as a pretext to declare war.

President James Polk Was Prepared to Declare War Against Mexico