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===Manifest Destiny===

===Manifest Destiny===

One of the driving forces for the war was the popular notion of [[Manifest Destiny]]. This belief held that it was the American peoples' birthright to control the whole of the American continent. This obviously gave rise to conflicts with many nations over territorial claims. The secret [[Ostend Manifesto]], written in Ostend, [[Belgium]] in 1854 by U.S. ambassadors, concerning the annexation of [[Cuba]] was perhaps the first warning of the conflicts Manifest Destiny would soon cause.<ref>http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0837014.html</ref> Northern presses feared it would be used to spread slavery, and their outcries prevented the Manifesto's plans from ever being put into effect. While this did not lead to armed conflict, it was only a matter of time before Manifest Destiny would be put to the test. Expansionist [[James K. Polk]] was sworn into office in January of 1845. "[[Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!]]" became a catchphrase for the annexation of the entire [[Oregon]] Country, then co-owned with [[Great Britain]]. The slogan referred to the region's northern boundary of 54°40ʹ N latitude. The border eventually was agreed upon at the 49th Parallel. Manifest Destiny's desire to expand into the Mexican-controlled lands of [[California]] would eventually lead to war.

One of the driving forces for the war was the popular notion of [[Manifest Destiny]]. This belief held that it was the American peoples' birthright to control the whole of the American continent. This obviously gave rise to conflicts with many nations over territorial claims. The secret [[Ostend Manifesto]], written in Ostend, [[Belgium]] in 1854 by U.S. ambassadors, concerning the annexation of [[Cuba]] was perhaps the first warning of the conflicts Manifest Destiny would soon cause.<ref>http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0837014.html</ref> Northern presses feared it would be used to spread slavery, and their outcries prevented the Manifesto's plans from ever being put into effect. While this did not lead to armed conflict, it was only a matter of time before Manifest Destiny would be put to the test. Expansionist [[James K. Polk]] was sworn into office in January of 1845. "[[Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!]]" became a catchphrase for the annexation of the entire [[Oregon]] Country, then co-owned with [[Great Britain]]. The slogan referred to the region's northern boundary of 54°40ʹ N latitude. The border eventually was agreed upon at the 49th Parallel. Manifest Destiny's desire to expand into the Mexican-controlled lands of [[California]] would eventually lead to war.

===Texas War of Independence===

===Texas War of Independence===

Manifest Destiny would come to a boil during the [[Texas War of Independence]] in 1835, in which the region of Texas fought [[Mexico]] for its independence. Soon after the war, Texas petitioned the United States for statehood. Southern [[Democrats]] wished to see the state added as a [[slavery|slave state]], while the Northern [[Republicans]] opposed expansion into Texas. With the election of Polk, Texas was brought into the Union. A no-man's land between the Rio Grande and Nueces River was disputed between the United States and Mexico. Mexico contended that it did not grant that region independence, while the U.S. claimed it was annexed along with Texas. The borders of the region were fortified with troops from both nations. On April 25, 1846, President Polk ordered Captain [[Seth Thornton]] to cross the Nueces into the disputed lands. Thornton was [[Thornton Affair|attacked by Mexican troops]], and was forced to surrender, after the loss of sixteen American soldiers.<ref>Bauer, K. Jack "The Mexican-American War 1846-48"</ref> Polk's plan had worked, and he now had a legitimate reason for war with Mexico, and would soon be able to lay claim to the lands he would acquire. In an address to Congress, he famously declared that "American blood has been shed on American soil," affirming the American belief that the Rio Grande was the southern border of Texas. War was officially declared by the United States on May 13, and Mexico followed suit on July 7.

Manifest Destiny would come to a boil during the [[Texas War of Independence]] in 1835, in which the region of Texas fought [[Mexico]] for its independence. Soon after the war, Texas petitioned the United States for statehood. Southern [[Democrats]] wished to see the state added as a [[slavery|slave state]], while the Northern [[Republicans]] opposed expansion into Texas. With the election of Polk, Texas was brought into the Union. A no-man's land between the Rio Grande and Nueces River was disputed between the United States and Mexico. Mexico contended that it did not grant that region independence, while the U.S. claimed it was annexed along with Texas. The borders of the region were fortified with troops from both nations. On April 25, 1846, President Polk ordered Captain [[Seth Thornton]] to cross the Nueces into the disputed lands. Thornton was [[Thornton Affair|attacked by Mexican troops]], and was forced to surrender, after the loss of sixteen American soldiers.<ref>Bauer, K. Jack "The Mexican-American War 1846-48"</ref> Polk's plan had worked, and he now had a legitimate reason for war with Mexico, and would soon be able to lay claim to the lands he would acquire. In an address to Congress, he famously declared that "American blood has been shed on American soil," affirming the American belief that the Rio Grande was the southern border of Texas. War was officially declared by the United States on May 13, and Mexico followed suit on July 7.