The U.S.-Mexican War

Students learn about the U.S.-Mexican War. They explore issues that caused the war. Next, they identify important people involved in the war. Then, they analyze the different battles of the war.

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Overview

In this experience, students learn about the U.S.-Mexican War. They explore issues that caused the war. Next, they identify important people involved in the war. Then, they analyze the different battles of the war.

Some sources refer to this conflict as the Mexican-American War, while the TEKS use the term U.S.-Mexican War. Historians use both names, but many prefer U.S.-Mexican War because it is more precise and it clearly identifies the United States and Mexico as the two countries involved. The word “American” can refer more broadly to people and places in North America and South America, including Mexico, not only the United States.

Explain to students that both names refer to the same conflict. Throughout this Texas history lesson, use U.S.-Mexican War to align with the TEKS.

Objectives:

Identify the issues that led to the U.S.-Mexican War
Identify important individuals during the U.S.-Mexican War

President James K. Polk strongly supported expanding the United States westward, an idea connected to Manifest Destiny. Texas joined the United States in 1845, and Polk also wanted the United States to gain territory farther west.

Tensions between the United States and Mexico were already high. Mexico had never recognized Texas independence and strongly opposed U.S. annexation of Texas. The two countries also disagreed about the Texas-Mexico border. The United States claimed that Texas extended south to the Rio Grande, while Mexico argued that the boundary was the Nueces River.

Mexican leaders were also concerned about further U.S. expansion into Mexican territory. These disagreements contributed to the start of the U.S.-Mexican War, which lasted from 1846 to 1848.

Objectives:

Identify the issues that led to the U.S.-Mexican War
Identify important individuals during the U.S.-Mexican War

Look at the map. What observations can you make about the United States and Mexico at the time of the war?

Post your answer

Discuss the students’ answers. They will vary, but may include:

Mexico was big and extended into Central America.
There were no states west of Texas.
Western United States was called the Great Basin.
Parts of Texas were called disputed territory.

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