Mexican-American War Document Based Questions –
25 points
Directions: Answer the following questions as completely as possible on a separate sheet of paper.
Spend the most amount of time where there are the most points.
1. Answer the following questions:
a. How does Senator Benton justify white supremacy in source 2?
(3 points)
b. What message is conveyed by source 1? (2 points)
2. Compare and contrast the views about going to war with Mexico in source 4 and source 5.
(6 points)
3. With reference to their origin and purpose, assess the value and limitations of source 1
and source 3 for a historian studying the Mexican American War. (6 points)
4. Using these sources and your own knowledge explain the reasons why the United States
went to war with Mexico in 1846 from the U.S. and Mexican perspectives. (8 points)
Mexican-American War Discussion Questions – NOT TO TURN IN!
The following questions will guide our discussions next week. I deliberately chose them because they
inspire different opinions. Think about making notes for each question so that you will be ready to
participate in the discussion tomorrow. Use the readings to support your answers.
1. Nationalism – when a country such as the U.S. puts its needs and desires above the interests of
other nations. This usually gives rise to excessive patriotism. To what extent was nationalism
involved in the Mexican War and the U.S. view of expansion at that time?
2. In your opinion, who bears the responsibility for the war – the U.S. or Mexico? Why?
3. To what extent did the U.S. assume it was doing a favor to Mexico by invading them and
acquiring their land?
4. To what extent was racism involved in the idea of Manifest Destiny and the Mexican War?
5. To what extent does the Mexican-American War conflict with our ideals (life, liberty, pursuit of
happiness, etc.) as a nation?