The Presidency of James Polk Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The Presidency of James Polk - Essay Example But as these authors have revealed, such a conclusion may be questionable in the light of the events that surrounded the Presidency and Polk’s political career. By highlighting elements and aspects of the Polk Presidency that have not been as widely or as well known, these three authors have questioned whether Polk’s contribution to the United States was an entirely favorable one. Bergeron’s book has also detailed the American war in Mexico and President Polk’s role in American acquisition of territories in the southwest. This book is notable in that it highlights the covert role of the executive in manipulating the events that led to the declaration of hostilities between the United States and Mexico over disputed territories in Texas, New Mexico and California. Bergeron has discussed covert operations undertaken by President Polk, notably the annexation of new Texas territory. This operation was designed in such a manner as to incite a confrontation and thereby provide an excuse for the United States to annex the territory (Bergeron, 1987:67-70). As a part of this strategy, Commodore Robert Stockton was posted to the disputed Mexican border, in order to monitor the developments there. In May of 1845, Stockton recommended that the Texan authorities should gather their forces and challenge Mexican claims to the territory between the rivers Rio Grande and Nueces rivers. He proposed that local militia units should be called up under the command of General Sidney Sherman and armed with weapons to be covertly supplied to them by the United States Government but purportedly acquired from private sources. Stockton’s plan was supported by President Polk, but failed to go through because Anson Jones, who was the President of the Texan Republic, rejected it.