The conflict between American troops commanded by General John C. Frémont and Mexican forces at Matamoros provided Polk with an ideal pretext for war with Mexico.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The conflict that provided President James K. Polk with a pretext for the Mexican-American War was not at Matamoros with forces commanded by John C. Frémont, but rather the Thornton Affair, where American troops under Captain Seth Thornton were attacked by Mexican forces north of the Rio Grande, leading to the declaration of war in 1846.

The Conflict Between American Troops Commanded by General John C