When people oppose a war, can they still be considered patriotic? At what point does opposition become treason? Was opposition to the war looked upon the same way in the U.S. as in Mexico?

What role did the media play in shaping popular opinion? What role does the media play today?

Use THE U.S.-MEXICAN WAR MAP to illustrate the extent of U.S. occupation in Mexico's northern territories as well as in the interior of the country.

Examine the effect of the Wilmot Proviso on U.S. public opinion about the war with Mexico.

Discuss the role of social reform and abolition movements on governmental leaders during the first half of the 19th century.

Analysis for Understanding

• Hand out copies of the publication "Yankee Doodle" found in the CLASSROOM RESOURCE PACKAGE. Have students comment on the artwork and read the full letter, "Dear Father..." Ask students to outline and discuss the soldier's main points.

• Brainstorm reasons why people become opponents of a war. Share points of view from a victim's family, from an abolitionist, from someone who refuses to volunteer to serve in the military. Write an editorial expressing these viewpoints and feelings.

• Switch the points of views expressed above to ones held by Mexicans. Which viewpoints or feelings might be similar and which might be different? What if you could not publicly express your feelings or points of view for fear of being accused of treason?

Class Discussion

• At this point in time with varying degrees of support and opposition, what options might President Polk have after committing so much effort and funds to gain the title to Mexico's northern lands?

• What options did Mexico's leaders have to try to protect these territories from further U.S. occupation?

• Henry David Thoreau's famous essay, On Civil Disobedience, asserted that people's obligations to their own consciences take precedence over their obligations to their government. How did the philosophy influence later individuals and other movements?