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VIDEO PROGRAM
Volume 278: Episode III: The Hour of Sacrifice
OBJECTIVE
Students will evaluate ways internal political events can affect military decisions.
CLASS QUESTIONS
Why is there civil unrest in Mexico in the midst of war? What does it signify in terms of the people's priorities?
To quote a phrase by President James K. Polk, what is the difference between "conquering a peace" rather than conquering a nation? How do leaders raise money to finance military troops during a war, and what risks must they take?
Remind students that the U.S.-Mexican War had been underway for almost a year by now. Leaders in both countries had thought it would be a short and inexpensive war.
PRIOR TO CLASS VIEWING
Review the CLASSROOM TIPS FOR USING ANY VIDEO CHAPTER .
Use THE U.S.-MEXICAN WAR MAP to illustrate how much of Mexico's territory was occupied by the U.S. by March 1847: California, New Mexico, and from Matamoros to Monterrey and Saltillo in northeastern Mexico.
CONNECTIONS TO SEMESTER STUDIES
Discuss the financial difficulties of a war and alliances that may develop as a result.
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. Ask another group to pretend that they are U.S. and Mexican soldiers who have experienced army life for more than a year. Have the journalists interview the soldiers. How do they feel about the war after so much time away from their homes and families?
Map Exercise
Ask students to plot the march of Santa Anna's army from San Luis Potosi to Saltillo and back.
Small Group Problem Solving
Ask students to list the internal factors that influenced the outcome of the U.S.-Mexican War for both countries.
| NCSS Standards | United States | Mexico
| I, III, VI, IX
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| The national treasury was empty, so Santa Anna encouraged acting president Valentin Gomez Farias, to pressure leaders of the Catholic Church for property that could be converted into cash to fund the army. The Church enlisted the support of the upper clas civil militia, the National Guard, to help them forestall this demand of property.
| III
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| The Mexico City militia rebelled against orders to defend Veracruz against General Winfield Scott.
| II, III, VI
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| On February 27, five days after the Battle of Buena Vista, called La Angostura in Mexico, General Santa Anna received news that a civil revolt had broken out in Mexico City. This rebellion was called the "Polkos Revolt" and did not end until Santa Anna returned to the city and found ways to satisfy demands.
| I, V
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| The Catholic Church loaned money to Santa Anna's cause but kept their property.
| II, III
| General Winfield Scott led an amphibious attack on the port of Veracruz. Robert E. Lee served as an army engineer during the battle and helped place some of the cannons for attack.
| Veracruz refused to surrender to Scott and endured four days of bombardment with no reinforcements from Mexico City.
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