Classroom Resource

Conflicting Voices of the Mexican War

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

5, 10

Overview

In this lesson, students research conflicting perspectives of the Mexican War. Additional resources included are a map of the United States from 1839, a recruitment poster, and several videos of first-hand accounts from the Mexican War.

Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 5

SS10.5.10

Describe political, social, and economic events between 1803 and 1860 that led to the expansion of the territory of the United States, including the War of 1812, the Indian Removal Act, the Texas-Mexican War, the Mexican-American War, and the Gold Rush of 1849.

Unpacked Content

UP:SS10.5.10

Vocabulary

  • political
  • expansion
  • Indian Removal Act
  • Texas-Mexican War
  • Mexican-American War
  • Gold Rush
  • technological developments
  • locomotive
  • telegraph
  • barbed wire

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Political, social, and economic events between 1803 and 1860 that led to the expansion of the territory of the United States (the War of 1812, the Indian Removal Act, the Texas-Mexican War, the Mexican-American War, the Gold Rush of 1849, among others).
  • The role of the Louisiana Purchase and explorations of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark for their impact on Westward Expansion.
  • The purpose of the Monroe Doctrine.
  • Alabama's role in the expansion movement in the United States, (the Battle of Horseshoe Bend and the Trail of Tears, among others).
  • The impact of technological developments on United States' expansion (steamboat, steam locomotive, telegraph, barbed wire, among others).

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Locate journeys, territories, and political boundaries on a physical and political maps.
  • Sequence historical events.
  • Explain the role of individuals in historical time periods.
  • Compare and contrast technological.
  • Determine causes and effects of events and technological developments between 1803-1860.
  • Analyze primary sources.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Political, social, and economic events led to the expansion of the United States and contributed to the development of new technologies and the creation of new states while also setting the stage for future conflict within the nation.
Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 10 - United States History I

SS10.US1.7

Describe causes, courses, and consequences of United States’ expansionism prior to the Civil War, including the Treaty of Paris of 1783, the Northwest Ordinance of 1785, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, the Louisiana Purchase, the Indian Removal Act, the Trail of Tears, Manifest Destiny, the Mexican War and Cession, Texas Independence, the acquisition of Oregon, the California Gold Rush, and the Western Trails. [A.1.a., A.1.c., A.1.e., A.1.f., A.1.g., A.1.i., A.1.j.]

Unpacked Content

UP:SS10.US1.7

Vocabulary

  • interpretation
  • Ordinance
  • expansionism
  • Manifest Destiny

Knowledge

Students know:
  • The causes of United States' expansionism prior to the Civil War.
  • The courses of United States' expansionism prior to the Civil War.
  • The consequences of United States' expansionism prior to the Civil War.
  • Causes and effects of documents related to U.S. expansionism prior to the Civil War, including the Treaty of Paris of 1783, the Northwest Ordinance of 1785, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Indian Removal Act Causes and effects of vital events and ideas related to expansionism prior to the Civil War, including the Trail of Tears, Manifest Destiny, the Mexican War and Cession, Texas Independence, the acquisition of Oregon, the California Gold Rush, and the Western Trails.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Locate points on a map.
  • Describe causes, courses, and consequences of United States' expansionism prior to the Civil War.
  • Analyze primary sources relating to the United States' expansionism prior to the Civil War.
  • Analyze key events and ideas that influenced U.S. expansionism prior to the Civil War.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There were many causes, courses, and consequences of United States' expansionism prior to the Civil War.
Link to Resource
https://amhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/resources/Lesson4.pdf

CR Resource Type

Lesson/Unit Plan

Resource Provider

Smithsonian
Accessibility
License

License Type

Custom

Custom License Type (URL)

https://www.si.edu/termsofuse/

Approved Date

mgsaboyd
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