Spot Resolutions facts for kids

The spot resolutions were a set of questions asked in the United States House of Representatives on December 22, 1847. A young politician named Abraham Lincoln proposed them. He would later become a famous President. At the time, Lincoln was a representative from Illinois and a member of the Whig Party.

Lincoln's resolutions asked President James K. Polk to show exactly where American blood was spilled. President Polk had claimed that American soldiers were attacked on American soil. He used this claim to ask Congress to declare war on Mexico in 1846. Lincoln wanted to know the "spot" where this happened. He was so determined that some people called him "spotty Lincoln."

Why Did Lincoln Ask About the "Spot"?

Lincoln's questions were a direct challenge to President Polk's reasons for starting the war. The Whig Party, which Lincoln belonged to, often disagreed with the Democratic Party. This was a political power struggle between the two groups.

What Did the Resolutions Ask For?

Lincoln's resolutions included eight specific questions. The first question asked if the place where blood was shed was part of Spain's territory. This was important because Spain had controlled that land before Mexico.

The second question asked if the spot was in land that Mexico had taken from Spain. The other six questions continued to ask if the land had ever been under the control of Texas or the United States. Lincoln wanted to know the true history of the land.

What Happened to the Resolutions?

The House of Representatives never voted on Lincoln's resolutions. However, they showed that many Whigs did not fully agree with President Polk's reasons for starting the war.

Some people thought Lincoln's questions were unpatriotic. This means they thought he was not supporting his country. Even some Whigs worried that criticizing the war might hurt their party.

But Lincoln was not against the war itself. He was questioning how President Polk had started it. Later, the Whigs even chose Zachary Taylor as their candidate for president. Taylor was a hero from the Mexican-American War, and Lincoln supported him.

Where Was the Disputed "Spot"?

The first fighting, known as the Thornton Affair, happened in April 1846. This location is in what is now Cameron County, Texas. It is just north of the Rio Grande river.

The United States believed the Rio Grande was the border between Texas and Mexico. This is also the current border between the two countries. However, Mexico believed the border was much further north, at the Nueces River. This difference in opinion about the border led to the war.