Prior to the Texas Revolution Mexico owned all land in the modern day American Southwest. These states were on the northern fringes of Mexico, and was more sparely populated than the Southern Mexican Provinces. To grow their country Mexico began to beseech American settlers to immigrate to these lands. However, after the Mexican Revolution was decided, the country of Mexico outlawed slavery outright. This disgruntled many prospective settlers, mostly southern farmers eager to gain large tracts of land to have their slaves work. Many of these settlers were residing in Texas, and grew disenchanted with the benefits of being Mexican citizens. Because of the large number of transplanted Americans, they began lobbying to become an independent political state, and perhaps available to join the United States.
The Texans declared themselves an independent body of government, and requested American volunteers to help rid Texas of Mexican Army garrisons. By mid-1835 these garrisons had been destroyed, and in 1936 the second political convention resulted in the declaration that the Republic of Texas was an independent nation, and proceeded to elect officials to run the new government. President Antonio López de Santa Anna invaded Texas in retribution, capturing much of Texas before being defeated and captured in the Battle of San Jacinto. In exchange for his parole Mexico was forced to retreat its forces south of the Rio Grande. In spite of this form of capitulation Mexico still did not recognize Texas as an independent entity, and the United States annexation of Texas to become the 28th state in the union directly led to the war.
Manifest Destiny
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With dangerous concepts such as this, it was considered morally acceptable to move into Mexico's territory and take for yourself, as American is the chosen country. This belief in social superiority was highly effective, and it seems as if no one stopped to consider they were trespassing on lands owned by a fellow Christian country. It seemed to be that as long as you were not American it was acceptable to ignore your concerns. However, the great majority of settlers were just eager to move into unclaimed land and start their livelihood. The problem was that these people wanted to be associated not with the Mexican government who has jurisdiction, but with the United States government, the nation of origin for the great majority of settlers.
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In this volatile time, President Polk sought to reunite these transplanted Americans with the United States itself. He knew the people would condemn an all out unprovoked war, so he used General Taylor to provoke the Mexican Army. Once hostilities commenced Polk was able to get full authorization to wage war, and immediately applied the full effort of the United States military into this war with her southern neighbor.