"We have not sought to extend our territorial possessions by conquest, or our republican institutions over a reluctant people. I
t was the deliberate homage of each people to the great principle of our federative union. If we consider the extent of territory involved in the annexation, its prospective influence on America, the means by which it has been accomplished, springing purely from the choice of the people themselves to share the blessings of our union, the history of the world may be challenged to furnish a parallel ... We may rejoice that the tranquil and pervading influence of the American principle of self-government was sufficient to defeat the purposes of British and French interference ... From this example European Governments may learn how vain diplomatic arts and intrigues must ever prove upon this continent against that system of self-government which seems natural to our soil, and which will ever resist foreign interference."—James Polk, from the State of the Union Address, December 2, 1845Polk's State of the Union Address, although celebratory, was a precursor to__________. A.an altered American Indian culture and erosion of the group's statusB. annexation of more city-states east of the Mississippi River, north of the Hudson RiverC. further disputes with Britain and France over American boundariesD. increased South American expansion in the name of cultural superiority
D. increased South American expansion in the name of cultural superiority.
Explanation:
The Mexican-American War, whose spark was a dispute over the boundaries of Texas - which had already been annexed by the American Union - would start very soon after the date of this speech. It lasted two years, 1846-1848. As a result of Mexican humilliating defeat, it lost vast territories and the US doubled its size, fulfilling the Manifest Destiny of continental-wide territorial expansion, reaching even the shores of California in the west.
<span>This is of course somewhat of a subjective question, but in general most would agree that no, this was not a good strategy, since it left no room to form treaties. </span>
Mercantilism created competition between companies, states, and countries. My teacher once gave me the example of a tree cutter making tables. It was about who makes the most profit.
