1. By what right did the United States claim the lands to the south of the Nueces River? By what right did Mexico claim those lands? 2. What actions did both the United States and Mexico take for preparedness prior to the outbreak of hostilities? How might these actions have contributed to the outbreak of war? President Polk insisted that war broke out between the United States and Mexico “notwithstanding all our efforts to avoid it.” What is your assessment of this assertion?

1. By what right did the United States claim the lands to the south of the Nueces River? By what right did Mexico claim those lands? 2. What actions did both the United States and Mexico take for preparedness prior to the outbreak of hostilities? How might these actions have contributed to the outbreak of war? President Polk insisted that war broke out between the United States and Mexico “notwithstanding all our efforts to avoid it.” What is your assessment of this assertion?