How would you evaluate president Polk's attitude and behavior toward Mexico?

Answer 1

He wanted to acquire California at all costs, fulfilling the "Manifest Destiny" and expand slave territories -- Polk was himself part of the "Slave Power" movement. This of course, required him to invade Mexico. The ill-defined border between Mexico and Texas was the perfect pretext to invade Mexico, and after the Thornton Affair (1846) he started the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). He wanted to acquire California at all costs, fulfilling the "Manifest Destiny" and expand slave territories -- Polk was himself part of the "Slave Power" movement. This of course, required him to invade Mexico. The ill-defined border between Mexico and Texas was the perfect pretext to invade Mexico, and after the Thornton Affair (1846) he started the Mexican-American War (1846-1848).

Answer 2

He was an imperialist; a manifest destiny type of guy. He started a war to capture Texas and in turn nearly doubled the size of the United States.