In the year 1803, the United States took part in the Louisiana Purchase; this investment practically doubled the size of the nation. As the nation developed, Americans began to head west, occupying land that was not legitimately theirs, causing conflict along the way. This idea brought forth by the concept of “Manifest Destiny,” which was the belief ordained by God, introduced by John L. O’Sullivan, that it was destined for the United States to span across the continent, more specifically, from sea to sea. Manifest Destiny helped fuel western expansion, the Oregon territory and the Mexican-American War. In 1821, Mexicans allowed Americans to move into Texas to advocate settlement towards the area. By 1834, there was approximately 7,500 Mexicans and over about 30,000 Americans living in Texas, leaving Mexico with a sense of deprivation. In 1836, war broke out between the Americans in Texas and the Mexican government (Doc D). After many months of fighting and losses, the Texans finally won and became an independent nation. President James K. Polk kept with the belief that Texas would be a great addition to his nation and made it clear of what the dangers could be if it remained an independent: such as becoming an ally, depending on …show more content…
With the southern border of Texas still under dispute, President James K. Polk sent 4,000 men to march from the Nueces River to the Rio Grande where Mexican troops had been settled; this was a sure action to provoke a war (Doc I). Searching for a reason to start a war between two nations, President Polk took the Mexican attacks that had been done on “United States” soil to push for the disagreement. Polk knew that he was at an advantage and was expecting to fight a limited war to gain California. In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, increasing the size of America by ⅓ (Doc