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VIDEO PROGRAM
Volume 278: Episode III: The Hour of Sacrifice
OBJECTIVE
Students will examine the role internal political developments may have on international events.
CLASS QUESTIONS
How important is trust between civilian and military leaders? What happens when political and military interests collide in the midst of war?
How do tensions between President James K. Polk and the U.S. generals compare to the tensions between General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and Mexico's leaders? Do these similarities and differences provide clues to the outcome of the war?
PRIOR TO CLASS VIEWING
Review the CLASSROOM TIPS FOR USING ANY VIDEO CHAPTER .
Use THE U.S.-MEXICAN WAR MAP to plot the triangle between Mexico's General Santa Anna in San Luis Potosi, U.S. General Zachary Taylor in Saltillo and U.S. General Winfield Scott's destination of Veracruz. Events occurring within this triangle will greatly affect the outcome of the U.S.-Mexican War.
CONNECTIONS TO SEMESTER STUDIES
Define the president's role as commander-in-chief according to the U.S. Constitution.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Ongoing Project
Divide the class into focus groups of journalists - one group reporting for the United States and the other reporting for Mexico. Have each group interview the generals Santa Anna, Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott. Have the reporters quiz the generals about their strategies and goals of their campaigns.
Classroom Discussion
Discuss the dangers of infighting between a nation's leaders and generals.
Weigh the risks and benefits of Polk's decision to have General Scott invade Veracruz. Weigh the risks and benefits of General Santa Anna's decision to attack General Taylor's troops. What did he hope to gain with the campaign?
| NCSS Standards | United States | Mexico
| I, II, III
| General Zachary Taylor defeated the Mexican army at Monterrey and occupied Saltillo in the Fall of 1846. President Polk waited to see if Santa Anna would keep his word concerning California after his return to Mexico.
| General Santa Anna was under pressure to disprove circulating rumors that he had made a deal with the U.S. president.
| II, VI
| President Polk and General Winfield Scott decided to act on a plan to land the army in Veracruz and prepare an attack on Mexico City.
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| II, VI
| Polk and Scott decided that Taylor's army would provide the majority of troops to sustain Scott's invasion. Taylor was furious at losing so many experienced soldiers.
| Santa Anna's troops intercepted a pouch of military mail and discovered the U.S. plan to invade Veracruz. Santa Anna also learned that General Taylor's army would be weakened by a loss of men to Scott's army.
| I, III
| Lines between political and military interests became blurred. Supporters of Taylor began positioning him as a potential presidential candidate.
| Santa Anna weighed his possibilities and decided to attack Taylor in the North. The Mexican troops were largely inexperienced recruits and were not ready for battle.
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