US History Quiz Grade The Era of Westward Expansion M. Lynde
Analyzing Mexican War Documents Analysis
Name______Date______Period___
Focus Question: Is the United States’ war with Mexico justified?
Directions: Analyze each document found on the Mexican War Documents HTML worksheet. Identify short passages that will help you answer the focus question.
Keep an open mind about the question until you have analyzed all the documents. Select passages from each document that:
· Express opposing viewpoints
· Clarify an important element of the question
· Build on or refute another selected passage
· Accurately reflect the author’s point of view
· Are fairly short (2-3 sentences or enough to state the speaker’s complete thought)
For each document listed below:
· Choose whether is says yes or no as to whether war with Mexico was justified.
· Write out the short passage you have chosen which supports your claim
· Provide written analysis as to how and/or why this passage supports your claim.
1. President Polk Calls for War (May 11, 1846)
Based on your selected passage, is the United States’ war with Mexico justified?
____ The war is justified.
____ The war is not justified.
Which passage did you select? Write it out below.
Explain how this passage you selected relates to the Focus Question.
2. U.S. Senator Denounces Mexican War (February 11, 1847)
Based on your selected passage, is the United States’ war with Mexico justified?
____ The war is justified.
____ The war is not justified.
Which passage did you select? Write it out below.
Explain how this passage you selected relates to the Focus Question.
3. John O’ Sullivan Argues for Manifest Destiny (1839)
Based on your selected passage, is the United States’ war with Mexico justified?
____ The war is justified.
____ The war is not justified.
Which passage did you select? Write it out below.
Explain how this passage you selected relates to the Focus Question.
4. Massachusetts Senator Condemns the War (1847)
Based on your selected passage, is the United States’ war with Mexico justified?
____ The war is justified.
____ The war is not justified.
Which passage did you select? Write it out below.
Explain how this passage you selected relates to the Focus Question.