Why did California want to join the us?

Answer 1

American presidents John Tyler (term 1841-1845) and James K. Polk (term 1845-1849) had a crush for California and looked to acquire it by any means necessary. First, American President John Tyler found out about California and its riches. On a letter by American Plenipotentiary Minister in Mexico, Waddy Thompson, Jr.:

"As to Texas I regard it as of very little value compared with California, the richest, the most beautiful and the healthiest country in the world... with the acquisition of Upper California we should have the same ascendancy on the Pacific... France and England both have had their eyes upon it."

He then desperately looked to fulfill the Manifest Destiny, a term which called for the annexation of all North America into the United States. He didn't believed in Texas but looked to annex all the territories west of the Louisiana, being California the "Jewel of the Crown". Long story short, he pushed for annexation of Texas, offering its admission to the Union in March 1, 1845. Then, President James K. Polk ratified by law such admission, on December 29 of that year. These events ultimately led to the war with Mexico.

Answer 2

The land that encompassed California already belonged to the US through a treaty with Mexico after the Mexican war. California wanted to be a state probably to protect itself (it was gold rush time) and to take advantage of the opportunities for self-government that statehood offered.

Answer 3

because Americans wanted to expand across the continent