Directions: For this portfolio project, you will evaluate whether the Mexican-American War was justified.
Description
You have been reading about the war between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848. It sprang out of a dispute between two countries over the southern border of Texas. The U.S. claimed the Rio Grande as the border, while Mexico claimed the Nueves River farther north. Each based its claim, in part, on agreements made at the end of the Texas war for independence, which ended in 1836. Each also based its claim on nationalism, or national self-interest, and a desire to expand its territory. For this portfolio project, you will explore different perspectives regarding the Mexican-American War. You will then present your findings in a short essay. Your final product will describe each point of view. It should give historically accurate facts. Your portfolio assignment has four steps:
1. Research the Mexican-American War—its causes, the course of the conflict, and its results.
2. Examine the Pearson Realize Civic Discussion Sources A–E for additional information.
3. Analyze your research.
4. Form your judgment and write your essay.
Step 1
Conduct the following research to complete your assignment:
Research Source of Information
List basic facts about the root of the conflict—include who, what, when, where, and why.
Describe the Texans’ actions—how Texas came to exist.
List some differences between the Texan and Mexican perspectives after the Texas war for independence.
Describe the beginnings of the Mexican-American war.
Describe the course of the war and its results.
You can use note cards, type your notes on a computer, or use another note-taking method. You can conduct a safe search on the internet or at your local library for information, or you may also use EBSCOhost databases to identify reference materials for this activity. Follow the directions below to access this resource.
EBSCO
1. Select the EBSCO link from your course page
2. Select Explora Secondary Schools
3. Narrow your search by selecting the relevant subject matter
4. Narrow your search further or use the Find field, and then select the Search button.
Step 2
Before you write your essay, consider the following questions:
1. What allowed settlers to establish a colony in Texas?
2. How did the interaction between the settlers in Texas and the Mexican government develop and change over time?
3. How do you think the perspectives of the Texas settlers and the Mexican government would vary? On what things might the Mexican government and Texas settlers agree?
4. How can you demonstrate the differences in the perspectives about Texas and its independence with historically accurate facts?
5. What were the consequences of the Texas war for independence and in what way did they influence the start of the Mexican-American War?
6. What actions could the United States or Mexican governments have taken to avoid conflict?
Step 3
You will be writing a short essay for your final product. In order to evaluate whether the Mexican-American War was justified, you need to consider the perspective of each side. In establishing the perspective of each side, you will need to use the actions, words, and circumstances of each side and how the sides interacted with one another in order to build your logical argument.
To form your judgment and write your essay, you should consider the following points:
1. The Root of the Conflict: The Mexican-American War was sparked by a dispute over the southern border of Texas. The United States claimed the Rio Grande as the border, while Mexico claimed the Nueces River farther north. This disagreement stemmed from conflicting agreements made at the end of the Texas war for independence in 1836.
2. Texans' Actions: Texas came to exist through a series of actions by American settlers. These settlers migrated to Texas and eventually sought independence from Mexican rule. The Texan perspective emphasized their desire for self-governance and expansion of their territory.
3. Differences in Perspectives: After the Texas war for independence, Texan and Mexican perspectives differed on the status and borders of Texas. Texans believed in their right to independence and supported the idea of Texas joining the United States. Meanwhile, the Mexican government viewed Texas as a rebellious province and maintained that it was still part of Mexico.
4. Beginning of the Mexican-American War: The Mexican-American War began in 1846 when the United States sent troops into the disputed territory between the Rio Grande and Nueces River. Mexico saw this as an invasion of its territory, while the United States justified its actions based on its interpretation of the border.
5. Course of the War and Results: The war lasted for two years and resulted in significant territorial gains for the United States. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in 1848, officially ended the war and established the Rio Grande as the border between Texas and Mexico. Mexico lost approximately half of its territory to the United States, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
Considering these points, you can form your judgment and write your essay by analyzing the different perspectives and arguments presented by each side. Assess the historical accuracy of the facts presented and consider the motivations, actions, and consequences of the war. Ultimately, you will need to present a reasoned argument on whether or not you believe the Mexican-American War was justified.
Step 1: Research the Mexican-American War
To complete your assignment, you need to conduct research on the Mexican-American War. Here are the areas you should focus on:
1. Basic facts about the root of the conflict - Include who, what, when, where, and why.
- The conflict arose from a dispute over the southern border of Texas. The US claimed the Rio Grande as the border, while Mexico claimed the Nueces River farther north. This dispute was based on agreements made at the end of the Texas war for independence, which ended in 1836.
2. Describe the Texans' actions - How Texas came to exist.
- Texas was initially a part of Mexico. However, a group of American settlers, known as Texians, migrated to Texas and eventually outnumbered the Mexican population. Tensions grew between the Texians and the Mexican government, leading to the Texas Revolution in 1835. Texas declared its independence in 1836 and became the Republic of Texas.
3. List some differences between the Texan and Mexican perspectives after the Texas war for independence.
- After the Texas war for independence, the Texan perspective was that they were an independent nation and had a right to govern themselves. They sought to join the United States. On the other hand, Mexico viewed the Texan independence as an illegal rebellion and argued that Texas still belonged to Mexico.
4. Describe the beginnings of the Mexican-American War.
- The Mexican-American War began in 1846 when the US, under President James K. Polk, ordered troops to the disputed border region. The US claimed that Mexico had crossed the border and attacked American troops, while Mexico argued that the US had invaded its territory.
5. Describe the course of the war and its results.
- The Mexican-American War lasted for two years, from 1846 to 1848. The US forces, led by General Zachary Taylor and General Winfield Scott, invaded Mexico and achieved several significant victories. The war ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which recognized Texas as part of the US and established the Rio Grande as the border. Mexico also ceded a large territory to the US, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming.
Step 2: Consider the following questions
Before writing your essay, think about the following questions to help you analyze the perspectives and develop your argument:
1. What allowed settlers to establish a colony in Texas?
2. How did the interaction between the settlers in Texas and the Mexican government develop and change over time?
3. How do you think the perspectives of the Texas settlers and the Mexican government would vary? On what things might the Mexican government and Texas settlers agree?
4. How can you demonstrate the differences in perspectives about Texas and its independence with historically accurate facts?
5. What were the consequences of the Texas war for independence, and in what way did they influence the start of the Mexican-American War?
6. What actions could the United States or Mexican governments have taken to avoid conflict?
Step 3: Write your essay
For your final product, you will be writing a short essay to evaluate whether the Mexican-American War was justified. Consider the perspective of each side and use their actions, words, and circumstances to build your argument logically.
To complete your portfolio project on evaluating whether the Mexican-American War was justified, you will need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Research the Mexican-American War
Begin by researching the basic facts about the root of the conflict. This should include who was involved, what the conflict was about, when and where it took place, and why it occurred. You can find this information by conducting a safe search on the internet, visiting your local library, or utilizing the EBSCOhost databases mentioned in your assignment.
Furthermore, you should describe the Texans' actions and how Texas came to exist as a result. Identify the key events and factors that led to the establishment of Texas as a colony.
Next, list some differences between the Texan and Mexican perspectives after the Texas war for independence. This will involve understanding the viewpoints and motivations of both sides in order to present an unbiased analysis.
Finally, describe the beginnings of the Mexican-American War. Explore the events that triggered the conflict and the actions taken by both sides in the lead-up to the war.
Step 2: Examine additional sources
Review the Pearson Realize Civic Discussion Sources A-E provided in your assignment. These sources will offer additional information and perspectives on the Mexican-American War that may enrich your analysis. Take note of any relevant facts or arguments presented in these sources.
Step 3: Analyze your research
After conducting thorough research, analyze the information you have gathered. Identify patterns, themes, and key arguments from various perspectives. Consider the motivations, actions, and consequences of each side to build a comprehensive analysis.
Step 4: Form your judgment and write your essay
Based on the research and analysis you have conducted, form your own judgment on whether the Mexican-American War was justified. Consider the perspectives of both sides and weigh the evidence and arguments presented. Use historically accurate facts and evidence to support your judgment.
In your essay, clearly present the perspective of each side, including their actions, words, and the circumstances that influenced their decisions. Use these perspectives to construct a logical and well-supported argument regarding the justification of the war.
Remember to structure your essay with an introduction, body paragraphs that explore different perspectives, and a conclusion that summarizes your findings and presents your judgment.
By following these steps and thoroughly researching the Mexican-American War, you will be able to critically evaluate whether the war was justified and present a well-rounded perspective in your essay.