PBS Video Database: U.S.-Mexican War: Episode 2: Chapter 6

VIDEO PROGRAM

Volume 277: Episode II: War for the Borderlands

OBJECTIVE

Students will gain an understanding of the movements into Mexico by the U.S. Army and the political developments of the time.

CLASS QUESTIONS

What was the purpose of the attack on Monterrey?

Was this battle necessary? For whom and why?

Why was Polk so angry with the outcome?

What are the personal sacrifices suffered by both soldiers and civilians on and off the battlefield?

PRIOR TO CLASS VIEWING

Review the CLASSROOM TIPS FOR USING ANY VIDEO CHAPTER .

Use THE U.S.-MEXICAN WAR MAP to locate events occurring between August and September 1846:

June -- President James K. Polk successfully negotiated a treaty with Britain for the Oregon Territory.
July -- Northern California (Monterey and San Francisco) was occupied by the U.S. Navy after the Bear Flag Revolt.
August -- the Wilmot Proviso was attached to an appropriation bill for war funding.
August -- Santa Anna returned to Mexico from his exile in Cuba.
August -- Santa Fe, New Mexico, was occupied by General Stephen W. Kearny and his Army of the West.
August -- Southern California (Los Angeles) was occupied by the U.S. Navy and Marines.

CONNECTIONS TO SEMESTER STUDIES

Review the development of Manifest Destiny in the U.S.

Examine the role played by Texas Rangers in the U.S.-Mexican War as well as the legacy of their activities in Texas and Nuevo Leon prior to 1845.

Describe the life led by women who remained on the "homefront" in both the U.S. and Mexico during the war.

Discuss the Wilmot Proviso and the growing sectional tensions in the U.S.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Classroom Discussion

Divide the class into focus groups and discuss the implications of the battle in Monterrey and the armistice from the perspective of Washington and Mexico City. Looking at the map, what was at stake for both countries? What was the purpose of the battle? Why did the war not end here?

Analyze for Understanding

Ask students to write about the personal sacrifices of war from the point of view of widows, disabled soldiers and others who suffered personal losses. Are these sacrifices universal to all wars at all times? One research activity would be to obtain a copy of an 1846 publication and ask students to comment on the articles related to war, death, loss, foreigners and the romantic treatment these stories received.
Ask students to interview war veterans or relatives of those who have fought in wars and explore issues of honor, patriotism, loss and sacrifice.

NCSS Standards	United States	Mexico
II, III, VI	After the victories at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, General Zachary Taylor, without clear-cut orders, chose Monterrey as the next target and began the march in September 1846.	General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna returned to Mexico from his exile in Cuba. He immediately assumed command of the army.
III, VII		Monterrey was the most important center of commerce and government in northeastern Mexico. As Taylor approached, the city prepared to celebrate its 250th anniversary.
II, III,VI		Santa Anna sent orders to General Pedro de Ampudia to stop building defenses in Monterrey, but Ampudia refused to abandon the city.
I, II, III	Taylor conducted his first campaign against a city. He split the army in two and attacked from both sides. The battle was costly for Americans and Mexicans.	Ampudia requested a truce.
I, II, III	Taylor agreed to an eight-week armistice and allowed Mexican soldiers to keep their weapons as they withdrew.
III, VI	President James K. Polk was furious when he received news of the armistice. He felt that if Taylor had captured the Mexican army at Monterrey, the war might have ended.
I, II, III, VI	The Wilmot Proviso was attached as an amendment to a Congressional appropriations bill. The appropriation bill failed. But the Wilmot Proviso, which proposed that slavery not be allowed in any new territories acquired by the U.S., became a rallying call to anti-slavery forces as people considered the impact that newly acquiredland would have on growing sectional tensions.

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