The U.S. desire to acquire more land for settlement was a major factor in the Mexican-American War. The U.S. wanted to expand its territory and gain access to valuable resources, such as gold and silver. This desire led to the U.S. offering to purchase land from Mexico, which Mexico refused. This refusal led to the U.S. declaring war on Mexico in 1846. The war lasted two years and resulted in the U.S. gaining control of large portions of land, including California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
