What is misleading about President Polk's
description of what happened?
Mexico did not attack US troops.
The US troops were camped on land that the
US considered part of Mexico
The fighting took place on land claimed by
both the United States and Mexico
US troops attacked the Mexican forces first
DONE
Our own Congress had ... recognized the
country beyond the Nueces (River) as a part
of our territory.
... Mexico has passed the boundary of the
United States, has invaded our territory and
shed American blood upon the American soil.
She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced, and that the two nations are
now at war.
- James Polk
Message to Congress
May 11, 1846