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VIDEO PROGRAM
Volume 279: Episode IV: The Fate of Nations
OBJECTIVE
Students will discuss how military leaders may use diplomacy and political actions to end conflicts.
CLASS QUESTIONS
How can a group benefit by choosing an unexpected action?
How can rivalries between leaders undermine the goals they and others are fighting for?
How does geography of an area present both obstacles and opportunities?
PRIOR TO CLASS VIEWING
Review the CLASSROOM TIPS FOR USING ANY VIDEO CHAPTER .
Use THE U.S.-MEXICAN WAR MAP to locate Mexico City in relation to other Mexican cities that are occupied by the U.S.
CONNECTIONS TO SEMESTER STUDIES
Discuss the San Patricio Battalion and the impact it had during the U.S.-Mexican War. Who made up the battalion and what were their reasons for switching sides during the war?
Thousands of Irish migrated to the U.S. during the 19th century due to the potato famine. Thousands of unemployed immigrants joined the U.S. Army, most served loyally. Two American generals during the U.S.-Mexican War were born in Ireland.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Classroom Tips
Review the CLASSROOM TIPS FOR USING ANY VIDEO CHAPTER .Consider dividing the class into focus groups, representing different perspectives, for the purpose of discussing video segments.
Classroom Discussion
Describe the sequence or layers of events that can create a turning point in a war. If just one of those events had not occurred, could the overall outcome have been different?
Critical Thinking Skills
Examine Scott's decision to agree to a truce. What did he stand to gain? What factors might have influenced his decision?
Map Skills
Study a map of the Valley of Mexico. Ask students to prepare a report on the geographic features which provided obstacles and opportunities to both armies. In what ways do military leaders prepare their troops to fight over unfamiliar or treacherous terrain?
| NCSS Standards | United States | Mexico
| III
| General Winfield Scott marched his army over the mountains into the Valley of Mexico. Then, in a surprise move, he veered off the National Road and marched to the south of the city.
| Conflicts between General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and a rival, General Gabriel Valencia, led to Valencia's decision to advance beyond his assigned position. When fighting began, Santa Anna refused to send reinforcements to Valencia because he had disobeyed orders.
| III
| Robert E. Lee single-handedly crossed treacherous terrain to bring back troop reinforcements.
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| I, III
| Sustained by reinforcements, Scott's troops launched a full attack on Valencia and essentially destroyed this important fighting force.
| Soldiers escaping from Scott's attack caused panic down Santa Anna's five-mile defensive line. Scott's troops followed them to the outskirts of the city. Deserters from the U.S. Army, who made up the San Patricio Battalion in the Mexican army fought hard, for they realized that if they were captured their punishment could be death.
| II
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| After a day of fighting, Santa Anna lost nearly 10,000 men to casualties and desertion. U.S. casualties numbered more than 1,000.
| II,III
| Scott was in a position to march straight into Mexico City, but heavy losses factored into his hesitation and acceptance of Santa Anna's proposed truce.
| Santa Anna sent a representative to propose a truce to Scott.
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