Did George Bancroft advise the president to attack Mexico first?

Answer 1

Yes, George Bancroft, who served as Secretary of the Navy under President James K. Polk, was an advocate for expansionist policies and supported the idea of aggressive action toward Mexico. He believed that a war with Mexico would be beneficial for the United States in terms of territorial expansion. While he did not directly advise Polk to attack Mexico first, his views aligned with the administration's goals, contributing to the overall push for war. Ultimately, the U.S. did initiate military action against Mexico in 1846, leading to the Mexican-American War.