Fact Finding Mission Details
Representative Lincoln is concerned that President Polk and his cabinet may have manufactured, or created, the crisis with Mexico in order to fulfill the president's ideal of increasing the United States of America from the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Pacific Ocean. This, as you remember, is called Manifest Destiny as Polk and many others believe that the US has been destined by God to expand into what is now Mexico. [For a review on Manifest Destiny.]
In order to deal with Lincoln's ultimate question of whether or not the war is just or did the US provoke the war, he has also asked you and your team of political staffers to research and answer the six questions below.
First. A brief background of the figures important to the Mexican War who they are and what are their roles.
Second. What were the initial goals of President Polk with regards to the Mexican land? What were the initial demands John Slidell attempted to ask the Mexican Government?
Third. Whether the spot on which the blood of our citizens was shed, as in his message declared, was or was not within the territory of Mexico. [Note: This may prove to be a difficult task, so feel free to discuss the controversy around it.]
Fourth. Whether our citizens, whose blood was shed, as in his message declared, were or were not, at that time, armed officers and soldiers, sent into that settlement by the military order of the President, through the Secretary of War.
Fifth. Who are the supporters of the War with Mexico and who are the opponents? Why might anti-slave states support or be against the war?
Sixth. Whether this war is related to the President’s belief in Manifest Destiny.
Again, the ultimate question that should be addressed is: whether or not the United States current war with Mexico is just and how it is related to the concept of Manifest Destiny?
In order to deal with Lincoln's ultimate question of whether or not the war is just or did the US provoke the war, he has also asked you and your team of political staffers to research and answer the six questions below.
First. A brief background of the figures important to the Mexican War who they are and what are their roles.
Second. What were the initial goals of President Polk with regards to the Mexican land? What were the initial demands John Slidell attempted to ask the Mexican Government?
Third. Whether the spot on which the blood of our citizens was shed, as in his message declared, was or was not within the territory of Mexico. [Note: This may prove to be a difficult task, so feel free to discuss the controversy around it.]
Fourth. Whether our citizens, whose blood was shed, as in his message declared, were or were not, at that time, armed officers and soldiers, sent into that settlement by the military order of the President, through the Secretary of War.
Fifth. Who are the supporters of the War with Mexico and who are the opponents? Why might anti-slave states support or be against the war?
Sixth. Whether this war is related to the President’s belief in Manifest Destiny.
Again, the ultimate question that should be addressed is: whether or not the United States current war with Mexico is just and how it is related to the concept of Manifest Destiny?
Presentation and Resources
Presentation
Create a presentation using both audio [it should be narrated] and visual [but do not simply read directly from your presentation]. Some options to utilize are ShowMe, EduCreations, GooglePresentations, Youtube, etc....
Audience
In addition to Representative Lincoln, your presentation will also be submitted here and reviewed by your fellow staffers. As always, make sure to indicate where your information comes from using the Chicago Manual of Style. For this presentation, use the parenthetical citations.
Some resources:
Create a presentation using both audio [it should be narrated] and visual [but do not simply read directly from your presentation]. Some options to utilize are ShowMe, EduCreations, GooglePresentations, Youtube, etc....
Audience
In addition to Representative Lincoln, your presentation will also be submitted here and reviewed by your fellow staffers. As always, make sure to indicate where your information comes from using the Chicago Manual of Style. For this presentation, use the parenthetical citations.
Some resources:
- The US Mexican War - PBS
- A Continent Divided - The University of Texas Arlington
- A Guide to the Mexican War by The Library of Congress (US)
- If you find other helpful resources, make sure to share with your colleagues.