Which of the following helps to identify why President James Polk asked for a declaration of war against Mexico?(1 point) Responses Polk believed in Manifest Destiny. Polk believed in Manifest Destiny. Mexican troops were sent across the Rio Grande. Mexican troops were sent across the Rio Grande. Zachary Taylor crossed the Nueces River. Zachary Taylor crossed the Nueces River. Texas declared independence from Mexico in 1836.

The response that most directly helps to identify why President James Polk asked for a declaration of war against Mexico is: **Polk believed in Manifest Destiny.**

While the other options provide context around the tensions between the U.S. and Mexico, it was primarily Polk's belief in Manifest Destiny—which was the idea that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent—that motivated his decision to seek war with Mexico.