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VIDEO PROGRAM
Volume 278: Episode III: The Hour of Sacrifice
OBJECTIVE
Students will explore cross-cultural exchanges and the factors that shape people's attitudes about themselves and others.
CLASS QUESTIONS
What did the experiences of U.S. soldiers in occupied Mexican cities reveal about social and cultural conditions back in the United States?What sources had shaped the soldiers' views of Mexico before they arrived?
What were major points, similarities or differences that attracted the soldiers' attention or concerned them?
PRIOR TO CLASS VIEWING
Review the CLASSROOM TIPS FOR USING ANY VIDEO CHAPTER .Use THE U.S.-MEXICAN WAR MAP to illustrate the location of Puebla, its proximity to Mexico City. Point out other sites in the north where U.S. troops occupied Mexican cities.
CONNECTIONS TO SEMESTER STUDIES
Discuss the 1845-46 immigration from Ireland, Germany and other European countries to the U.S. with an emphasis on intercultural reactions.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Research and Analysis
Compare the story of conquistador Hernan Cortes and the Spanish conquest of North America with the situation faced by the U.S. Army, which was following the same route.
Web Search and Analysis
Ask students to search Web sites and textbooks with photographs to conduct architectural comparisons of churches in a U.S. city with those in Puebla or another large Mexican city. What clues exist to describe the role, practice and roots of religion in each country?
Map Skills
Trace the route of General Winfield Scott's army and prepare a report on the geography, climate and vegetation of the region.
Letting the Numbers Speak
Puebla had an estimated population of 60,000. From May to August 1847, Scott's army numbered 4,000 to 8,000. What observations can be made about the army's ability to reside in a location where it seemed the troops could easily be overwhelmed? How might this situation be an indication of political, social and economic realities both here and in other places that the army occupied?
For Advanced Students
Research and write a report about the attitudes and policies in each country toward various religions during this period.
| NCSS Standards | United States | Mexico
| II, III
| After the siege of Veracruz and the battle at Cerro Cordo, General Winfield Scott saw that it would take time before General Santa Anna reassembled an army. Scott used the opportunity to move closer to Mexico City and wait for a rotation of U.S. troops. New volunteers arrived in Veracruz to replace others heading home.
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| I, V, VI
| U.S. soldiers used the non-combat time to explore the beautiful sites of Mexico's then second largest city.
| Puebla's civic and Church leaders made an accommodation with the U.S. Army, surrendering in hopes of preserving the city and saving lives.
| I, V, VI
| U.S. soldiers focused on geographic features, cultural differences and signs of an ancient past. Yet, the awareness of their military mission was constantly present.
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