Lad#12 Polk's War Message

In Polk's War Message, he first acknowledges that the tensions between the United States and Mexico needed to be resolved. John Slidell, an American diplomat, was sent to Mexico do discuss the issue of American citizens being killed on American soil by Mexicans near the Texan border. The Mexican government would not listen to Slidell, and the overthrowing government would not listen either. Polk put military forces near the Mexican border to prevent invasion. When they did not retreat under demand of Mexican military, the Mexicans attacked, resulting in several American casualties. At this point, commerce and diplomacy between the two countries had dissolved. Mexico declared war because they wanted Texas, and the United States had to respond to protect their citizens.


This is similar to the XYZ Affair because the foreign power would not negotiate with the United States.