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LAD/Blog #13: Polk's War Message

The US had a strong desire to establish peace with Mexico. In October of 1845, Mr. John Slidell was sent to Mexico to settle the Texas border and negotiate peace. However, the revolutionaries who overthrew the Mexican government in December of 1845 refused to speak with Mr. Slidell. Texas at this point was under the protection of the US and part of its revenue system. In the spring of 1846, the troops at Del Norte were instructed to act peacefully until war was declared or an act of hostility was committed. The belligerence of the Mexican troops lead to a small battle near the Rio del Norte. The grievances of the US citizens were ignored and no attempt was made by the Mexicans to solve them. Commerce with Mexico was all but destroyed, and as Texas was an independent republic that had chosen to annex itself into the US, and Mexico had invaded the US, meaning that the two nations were now at war with each other. Despite Polk's attempts at diplomacy he ends the message by stating that the US was at war with Mexico. 

 War Message:
Image result for polk's war message

Declaration of War in WW2:
Image result for us declaration of war in ww2

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