"The Mexican-American War: Arguments for and against" Topic

….Going to War.

"Over the course of three lessons the students will analyze two primary source documents that represent two different points of view on the Mexican-American War. The first document is a speech delivered by then President James K. Polk justifying America's war with Mexico and asking the United States Congress for a declaration of war. The second document is a speech by Congressman Joshua Giddings during the debate in the House of Representatives that questions the President's motives for and handling of the coming conflict. Students will closely read and analyze these speeches with the purpose of not only understanding the literal meaning but also inferring the more subtle contexts within these documents. Students will use textual evidence to draw their conclusions and present arguments as directed in each lesson culminating in a mock debate oral presentation…."
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Amicalement
Armand

These things always ignore the fact that Mexico picked this war. The fact is that Mexico broke off diplomatic relations and threatened war when the US annexed Texas. Mexico claimed that Texas was still Mexican sovereign territory: A province in revolt, but still Mexican territory. Texas had negotiated its independence with Santa Anna, then president of Mexico, but the treaty wasn't ratified by Mexico. Had Mexico enforced its sovereignty at any point in the previous ten years they may have had a point, But in fact all they did was threaten and raid until Texas felt so threatened, and broke, in joined the United States.

The fact is that Mexican troops attacked American troops first. Arguing that somehow the Neuces river was still the southern border of Texas seems a bit of a stretch when your arguing over the whole province.

Polk was certainly of the opinion that if push came to shove with Mexico he was going to make sure it solved all of the disputes in one go and he certainly wasn't going to back down, but he didn't start the war.

The website, article and writer have an agenda.

Just look at the BOD and say no more.

Hopefully, this lesson plan will be ignored by educators, but unfortunately not likely

Glup!….

Amicalement
Armand