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VIDEO PROGRAM
Volume 278: Episode III: The Hour of Sacrifice
OBJECTIVE
Students will develop an understanding of the role of diplomatic relations during times of war.
CLASS QUESTIONS
Who should ultimately make important decisions on the front lines during a war, civilians or the military?Who was Nicholas Trist? How might personal conflicts between Trist and General Winfield Scott have jeopardized the U.S. position?
Why did the Mexican populace not rise up against the U.S. invaders? Why did Mexican suppliers sell products to the U.S. Army, allowing Scott to cut his supply lines to Veracruz?
PRIOR TO CLASS VIEWING
Review the CLASSROOM TIPS FOR USING ANY VIDEO CHAPTER .Review THE U.S.-MEXICAN WAR MAP and orient students to the location of Scott's army and its proximity to Mexico City. Point out the distance from Veracruz, where Scott's supplies were arriving.
CONNECTIONS TO SEMESTER STUDIES
Examine the role of diplomacy in other international events, such as the dispute over the Oregon Territory.
Discuss other instances of disagreements between decision-makers that could have endangered the achievement of their goals.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Class Discussion
Why did Polk and Santa Anna continue the war? How did each respective Congress feel about the situation? List reasons why the war should continue or end.
Map Skills
Ask students to draw a map and present General Scott's case for taking a risk and cutting his supply lines from Veracruz.
Individual or Pair Activity
Research and write a biographical summary of Nicholas Trist. Cite reasons why he was selected for his job as peace negotiator.
| NCSS Standards | United States | Mexico
| II, III, VI
| After General Winfield Scott's successful landing at Veracruz, President Polk decided that the moment was right to send Nicholas Trist to pursue negotiations with the Mexican government. Polk gave Trist a sealed offer to deliver to representatives of the Mexican government. Trist joined Scott's troops and asked for help forwarding the offer on to Mexico City and Trist, however, became entangled in a personal power struggle that interfered and delayed diplomatic efforts.
| There was a significant British presence in Mexico in both industry and financial institutions. The British diplomat who attempted negotiations while the U.S. Army was in Puebla was unable to open communication between the countries. The effort, however, was the start of a U.S.-British-Mexican channel that remained active throughout negotiations that led to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
| II, III, VI
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| During the summer, General Santa Anna returned to Mexico City and prepared for its defense.
| III, VI
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| The Constitutional Congress that had been in session for more than six months disbanded in July. According to the Constitution they were revising, only Congress could negotiate a treaty, but most feared personal consequences by doing so. If Santa Anna attempted to negotiate on his own, he would be committing an act of treason.
| III
| Scott decided to launch an attack on Mexico City. On August 5, the U.S. Army headed for the Valley of Mexico. Scott decided to cut his supply lines and to live off the land.
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